Vicar of Tours

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T he V ic ar O f T ou rs

B y H on or e D e B al za c

Translated By

Katharine Prescott Wormeley

DEDICATION

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To David, Sculptor:

T he p er ma ne nc e o f t he w or k o n w hi ch I i ns cr ib e y ou r n am e- -

twice made illustrious in this century--is very problematical;

whereas you have graven mine in bronze which survives nations

- - if o nl y i n t heir coi ns . T he d ay m ay com e w hen n um is mati st s,

d i scov er in g ami d t he ash es o f P ar is exi st ences p er petu at ed b y

y ou , w il l w on de r a t t he n um be r o f h ea ds c ro wn ed i n y ou r

at el ier and end eavo ur t o f in d i n t hem n ew d yn as ti es .

T o y ou , t hi s d iv in e p ri vi lege; t o m e, g rati tu de.

D e B al zac.

T HE V IC AR O F T OU RS

I

E ar ly i n t he aut um n o f 1 82 6 t he A bb e B ir ot teau , t he p ri ncip al

pe rs on age o f t hi s h is to ry, w as o ve rt ake n by a s how er of r ai n a s he

r et ur ne d h om e f ro m a f ri en d' s h ou se , w he re h e h ad b ee n p as si ng t he

eveni ng . H e t heref or e cro ss ed , as q ui ck ly as h is cor pu lence w ou ld

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all ow , t he d es er ted l it tl e s qu ar e cal led " Th e C lo is ter, " w hi ch l ies

di rect ly b eh in d t he chancel o f t he cat hedr al o f S ai nt -G at ien at T ou rs .

T he A bb e B ir ot teau , a s ho rt l it tl e m an , apo pl ecti c i n con st it ut io n and

abo ut s ix ty y ears o ld , h ad alr eady g on e t hr ou gh s ev er al att acks o f

g ou t. N ow , a mo ng t he pe tt y m is er ie s o f h um an l if e t he o ne f or wh ic h

th e w or th y p ri es t f el t t he d eepest avers io n w as t he s ud den s pr in kl in g

o f h is s ho es , ado rn ed w it h s il ver b uckl es , and t he w et ti ng o f t heir

so les. N ot wi th st an di ng t he w oo ll en s ocks i n w hi ch at all s easo ns h e

env el op ed h is f eet w it h t he ext reme car e t hat ecclesi ast ics t ak e o f

t he ms el ve s, he wa s a pt a t s uc h t im es t o ge t t he m a l it tl e da mp, a nd

t he n ex t d ay go ut wa s s ur e t o gi ve hi m c er ta in i nf al li bl e pr oo fs of

con st an cy . N ev er th el ess , as t he p av em en t o f t he C lo is ter w as l ik el y t o

be dry, a nd a s the a bbe ha d won t hr ee fr ancs te n s ous i n his rubber

w it h M ad am e d e L is to mere, h e b or e t he r ai n r es ig nedl y f ro m t he m id dl e

o f t he p la ce d e l 'A rc he ve ch e, w he re i t b eg an t o c om e d ow n i n e ar ne st .

B es id es , h e w as f on dl in g h is chi mera,- -a d es ir e alr eady t welv e y ears

o ld , t he d es ir e o f a p ri es t, a d es ir e f or me d a ne w e ve ry e ve ni ng a nd

n o w, app ar en tl y, v er y n ear acco mp li sh ment ; i n s ho rt , h e h ad w rapp ed

him se lf s o c ompl ete ly i n the f ur c ape of a c anon t hat he did not f eel

t he i nclemency o f t he w eath er . D ur in g t he eveni ng s ev er al o f t he

com pany w ho h ab it uall y g at hered at M ad am e d e L is to mere's h ad alm os t

gu ar an teed t o h im h is n om in at io n t o t he o ff ice o f can on ( th en v acan t

i n t he m et ro po li tan C hapt er o f S ai nt -G at ien) , ass ur in g h im t hat n o o ne

d es erv ed s uch p ro mo ti on as h e, w ho se r i gh ts , l on g o verl oo ked, w er e

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indisputable.

I f he ha d l os t t he r ubbe r, i f he ha d he ar d t ha t hi s r iva l, t he A bbe

P oi rel, w as n am ed can on , t he w or th y m an w ou ld h av e t ho ug ht t he r ai n

extremely chilling; he might even have thought ill of life. But it so

c ha nc ed t ha t h e w as i n o ne o f t ho se r ar e m om en ts w he n h ap py i nw ar d

s en sati on s m ak e a m an o bl iv io us o f d is co mf or t. I n h as teni ng h is s teps

h e o be ye d a m or e m ec ha ni ca l i mp ul se , a nd t ru th ( so e ss en ti al i n a

h is to ry o f m an ne rs a nd m or al s) c om pe ls u s t o s ay t ha t h e w as t hi nk ing

of n ei th er r ai n n or g ou t.

I n f or me r d ay s t he re w as i n t he C loi st er , on t he s ide t ow ar ds t he

G ra nd 'R ue , a c lu st er o f h ou se s f or mi ng a C lo se a nd b el on gi ng t o t he

cath ed ral, w here s ev er al o f t he d ig ni tari es o f t he C hapt er l iv ed .

A ft er t he con fi scat io n o f ecclesi as ti cal p ro pert y t he t ow n h ad t ur ned

t he p as sa ge t hr ou gh t hi s c lo se i nt o a n ar ro w s tr ee t, c al le d t he R ue d e

l a P sa le tt e, b y w hi ch p ed es tr ia ns p as se d f ro m t he C lo is te r t o t he

G rand 'R ue. T he n am e o f t hi s s tr eet, p ro ves clear ly eno ug h t hat t he

pr ecen to r and h is p up il s and t ho se con nect ed w it h t he cho ir f or merl y

l iv ed t he re . T he o th er s id e, t he l ef t s id e, o f t he s tr ee t i s o cc up ie d

b y a s in gl e h ou se , t he w al ls o f w hi ch a re o ve rs ha do we d b y t he

b u tt ress es o f S ai nt -G at ien, w hi ch h av e t heir b as e i n t he n ar ro w l it tl e

gard en o f t he h ou se, l eavi ng i t d ou bt fu l w heth er t he cat hedr al w as

built before or after this venerable dwelling. An archaeologist

e xa mi ni ng t he a ra be sq ue s, t he s ha pe o f t he w in do ws , t he a rc h o f t he

d oo r, t he w ho le e xt er io r o f t he h ou se , n ow m el lo w w it h a ge , w ou ld s ee

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a t o nc e t ha t i t ha d a lw ay s b ee n a p ar t o f t he m ag ni fi ce nt e di fi ce w it h

w hi ch i t i s b lend ed .

A n a nt iq ua ry ( ha d t he re b ee n o ne a t T ou rs ,- -o ne o f t he l ea st l it er ar y

t ow ns i n a ll F ra nc e) w ou ld e ve n d is co ve r, w he re t he n ar ro w s tr ee t

ent er s t he C lo is ter, s ev er al v es ti ges o f an o ld arcad e, w hi ch f or merl y

m ad e a p or ti co t o t he se e cc le si as ti ca l d we ll in gs , a nd w as , n o d ou bt ,

h ar mo ni ou s i n s ty le w it h t he g en er al charact er o f t he archi tect ur e.

T he hou se of whi ch we s pe ak, s ta ndi ng on t he nor th s ide of t he

c at he dr al , w as a lw ay s i n t he s ha do w t hr ow n b y t ha t v as t e di fi ce , o n

w hi ch t im e h ad c as t i ts d in gy m an tl e, m ar ke d i ts f ur ro ws , a nd s he d i ts

chi ll h um id it y, i ts l ichen, m os ses, and r an k h er bs . T he d ar kened

d we ll in g w as w ra pp ed i n s il en ce , b ro ke n o nl y b y t he b el ls , b y t he

chant in g o f t he o ff ices h eard t hr ou gh t he w in do ws o f t he chu rch, b y

th e c al l o f t he j ac kd aw s n es ti ng i n t he b el fr ie s. T he r eg io n i s a

de se rt of s ton es , a s ol it ude w it h a c ha ra ct er of i ts ow n, a n a ri d

s po t, w hi ch cou ld o nl y b e i nh ab it ed b y b ei ng s w ho h ad eit her att ai ned

t o abs ol ut e n ul li ty , o r w er e g if ted w it h s om e abn or mal s tr en gt h o f

s ou l. T he h ou se i n q ue st io n h ad a lw ay s b ee n o cc up ie d b y a bb es , a nd i t

b elo ng ed t o an o ld m ai d n am ed M ad em oi sell e G am ar d. T ho ug h t he p ro pert y

h ad b ee n b ou gh t f ro m t he n at io na l d om ai n u nd er t he R ei gn o f T er ror b y

t he f at he r o f M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d, n o o ne o bj ec te d u nd er t he

R es t or at i on t o t he o ld m ai d' s r et ai ni ng i t, b ecau se s he t oo k p ri es t s

t o b oa rd a nd w as v er y d ev ou t; i t m ay b e t ha t r el ig io us p er so ns g av e

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h er c re di t f or t he i nt en ti on o f l ea vi ng t he p ro pe rt y t o t he C ha pt er .

T he A bb e B ir ot te au w as m ak in g h is w ay t o t hi s h ou se , w he re h e h ad

l i ve d f or t he l as t t wo ye ar s. Hi s a pa rt me nt h ad be en ( as w as no w t he

c anonr y) a n obj ec t of e nvy a nd hi s " hoc e ra t i n vot is" f or a doz en

y ea rs . T o b e M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d' s b oa rd er a nd t o b ec om e a c ano n w er e

th e t wo g re at d es ir es o f h is l if e; i n f ac t t he y d o p re se nt a cc ur at el y

t he amb it io n o f a p ri es t, w ho , con si deri ng h im self o n t he h ig hr oad t o

etern it y, can w is h f or n ot hi ng i n t hi s w or ld b ut g oo d l od gi ng , g oo d

f oo d, clean g ar ment s, s ho es w it h s il ver b uckl es , a s uf fi ci en cy o f

t hi ng s f or t he n ee ds o f t he a ni ma l, a nd a c an on ry t o s at is fy s el f-

love, that inexpressible sentiment which follows us, they say, into

t he p re se nc e o f G od ,- -f or t he re a re g ra de s a mo ng t he s ai nt s. B ut t he

c ov et ou s d es ir e f or t he a pa rt me nt w hi ch t he A bb e B ir ot te au w as n ow

i nh ab it in g ( a v er y h ar ml es s d es ir e i n t he eyes o f w or ld ly p eo pl e) h ad

be en t o t he a bbe n ot hi ng l es s t ha n a pa ss ion, a pa ss ion f ul l of

o bs tacl es , and , l ik e m or e g ui lt y p as si on s, f ul l o f h op es , p leas ur es ,

an d r emo rs e.

T he i nt er io r arr an gement s o f t he h ou se d id n ot all ow M ad em oi sell e

G am ar d t o t ak e m or e t ha n t wo l od ge rs . N ow , f or a bo ut t we lv e y ea rs

b ef or e t he d ay w he n B ir ot te au w en t t o l iv e w it h h er s he h ad u nd er ta ke n

t o k eep i n h ealt h and con tent ment t wo p ri es ts ; n am el y, M on si eu r l 'A bb e

T ro ub er t and M on si eu r l 'A bb e C hapelo ud . T he A bb e T ro ub er t s ti ll l iv ed .

T he A bb e C ha pe lo ud w as d ea d; a nd B ir ot te au h ad s te pp ed i nt o h is p la ce .

P a g e 6



T he l at e A bb e C ha pe lo ud , i n l if e a c an on o f S ai nt -G at ie n, h ad b ee n a n

i nt im at e f ri en d o f t he A bb e B ir ot teau . E very t im e t hat t he l at ter p ai d

a v is it t o t he c an on h e h ad c on st an tl y a dm ir ed t he a pa rt me nt , t he

f ur ni tu re and t he l ib rary . O ut o f t hi s adm ir at io n g rew t he d es ir e t o

p os sess t hese b eaut if ul t hi ng s. I t h ad b een i mp os si bl e f or t he A bb e

B ir ot teau t o s ti fl e t hi s d es ir e; t ho ug h i t o ft en m ad e h im s uf fer

t er ri bl y w he n h e r ef le ct ed t ha t t he d ea th o f h is b es t f ri en d c ou ld

alo ne s at is fy h is s ecret cov et ou sn es s, w hi ch i ncreas ed as t im e w en t

o n. T he A bb e C ha pe lo ud a nd h is f ri en d B ir ot te au w er e n ot r ic h. B ot h

w er e s on s o f p ea sa nt s; a nd t he ir s le nd er s av in gs h ad b ee n s pe nt i n t he

m er e cos ts o f l iv in g d ur in g t he d is as tr ou s y ears o f t he R ev ol ut io n.

W hen N ap ol eon r est or ed t he C ath ol i c w or s hi p t he A bb e C hap el ou d w as

a pp oi nt ed c an on o f t he c at he dr al a nd B ir ot te au w as m ad e v ic ar o f i t.

C hapelo ud t hen w en t t o b oard w it h M ad em oi sell e G am ar d. W hen B ir ot teau

f ir st cam e t o v is it h is f ri en d, h e t ho ug ht t he arr an gement o f t he

r oo ms excel lent , b ut h e n ot iced n ot hi ng m or e. T he o ut set o f t hi s

c on cu pi sc en ce o f c ha tt el s w as v er y l ik e t ha t o f a t ru e p as si on , w hi ch

of te n b eg in s, i n a y ou ng m an, w it h c ol d a dm ir at io n f or a wo ma n w ho m he

ends in loving forever.

T he a pa rt me nt , r ea ch ed b y a s to ne s ta ir ca se , wa s on t he s ide of t he

h ou se t hat f aced s ou th . T he A bb e T ro ub er t o ccup ied t he g ro un d- f lo or ,

and Mademoiselle Gamard the first floor of the main building, looking

o n t he s tr ee t. W he n C ha pe lo ud t oo k p os se ss io n o f h is r oo ms t he y w er e

b ar e o f f ur ni tu re, and t he cei li ng s w er e b lack en ed w it h s mo ke. T he

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s t on e m an telp ieces , w hi ch w er e v er y b ad ly cut , h ad n ev er b een p ai nt ed .

A t f ir st , t he onl y f ur ni tur e t he poo r c ano n c ou ld put i n w as a be d, a

t abl e, a f ew c ha ir s, a nd t he b oo ks h e p os se ss ed . T he a pa rt me nt w as

l ike a be aut if ul woma n in r ags . B ut t wo or thr ee ye ars l ate r, a n ol d

l ad y h av in g l ef t t he A bb e C hapelo ud t wo t ho us an d f rancs, h e s pent t hat

s u m o n t he pu rc ha se o f a n o ak b oo kc as e, t he r el ic of a c ha te au p ul le d

d ow n b y t he B an de N oi re , t he c ar vi ng o f w hi ch d es er ve d t he a dm ir at io n

of a ll a rt is ts . Th e a bb e m ade t he pu rc ha se l es s b ec aus e i t wa s ve ry

cheap t han b ecau se t he d im en si on s o f t he b oo kcas e exactl y f it ted t he

s pa ce i t w as t o f il l i n hi s g al le ry . H is s avi ngs e na bl ed h im t o

r en ov at e t he w ho le g al lery , w hi ch u p t o t hi s t im e h ad b een n eg lect ed

and s habb y. T he f lo or w as car ef ul ly w ax ed , t he cei li ng w hi tened, t he

w oo d- wo rk p ai nt ed t o r es em bl e t he g ra in a nd k no ts o f o ak . A l on g t ab le

i n e bo ny a nd t wo c ab in et s b y B ou ll e c om pl et ed t he d ec or at io n, a nd g av e

t o t hi s g al le ry a c er ta in a ir t ha t w as f ul l o f c ha ra ct er . I n t he

cou rs e o f t wo y ears t he l ib er al i ty o f d ev ou t p er s on s, and l eg acies ,

t ho ug h s mall o nes, f ro m p io us p en it en ts , f il led t he s helv es o f t he

b oo kcas e, t il l t hen h al f emp ty . M or eo ver, C hapelo ud 's u ncle, an o ld

O rato ri an , h ad l ef t h im h is col lect io n i n f ol io o f t he F at hers o f t he

C hu rc h, a nd s ev er al o th er i mp or ta nt w or ks t ha t w er e p re ci ou s t o a

priest.

B ir ot teau , m or e and m or e s ur pr is ed b y t he s uccess iv e i mp ro vement s o f

t he ga ll er y, o nc e s o ba re , c am e b y d eg re es t o a c ond it ion of

in vo lu nt ar y env y. H e w is hed h e cou ld p os sess t hat apart ment , s o

thoroughly in keeping with the gravity of ecclestiastical life. The

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p as si on i ncreas ed f ro m d ay t o d ay . W or ki ng , s om et im es f or d ay s

t og et her, i n t hi s r et reat, t he v icar cou ld app reciate t he s il ence and

t he p eace t hat r ei gn ed t here. D ur in g t he f ol lo wi ng y ear t he A bb e

C hapelo ud t ur ned a s mall r oo m i nt o an o rato ry , w hi ch h is p io us f ri en ds

t oo k p leas ur e i n b eaut if yi ng . S ti ll l at er , ano th er l ad y g av e t he can on

a s et o f f ur ni tu re f or h is b ed ro om , t he c ov er in g o f w hi ch s he h ad

e mb ro id er ed u nd er t he e ye s o f t he w or th y m an w it ho ut h is e ve r

su sp ecti ng i ts d es ti nati on . T he b ed ro om t hen h ad t he s am e eff ect u po n

t he v icar t hat t he g al lery h ad l on g h ad ; i t d azzl ed h im . L as tl y, abo ut

t hr ee y ea rs b ef or e t he A bb e C ha pe lo ud 's d ea th , h e c om pl et ed t he

com fo rt o f h is apart ment b y d ecor at in g t he s al on . T ho ug h t he f ur ni tu re

w as p lain ly cov er ed i n r ed U tr echt v el vet, i t f as ci nated B ir ot teau .

F rom t he da y wh en t he c anon' s f ri end f ir st l ai d e ye s on t he r ed da ma sk

curtains, the mahogany furniture, the Aubusson carpet which adorned

th e v as t r oo m, t hen l at el y p ai nt ed , h is env y o f C hapelo ud 's apart ment

b ecam e a m on om an ia h id den w it hi n h is b reas t. T o l iv e t here, t o s leep

i n t ha t b ed w it h t he s il k c ur ta in s w he re t he c an on s le pt , t o h av e a ll

Chapeloud's comforts about him, would be, Birotteau felt, complete

h ap pi ness ; h e s aw n ot hi ng b ey on d i t. A ll t he env y, all t he amb it io n

w hi ch t he t hi ng s o f t hi s w or ld g iv e b ir th t o i n t he he ar ts of ot he r

m en con cent rat ed t hemelv es f or B ir ot teau i n t he d eep and s ecr et

l on gi ng h e f el t f or an apart ment l ik e t hat w hi ch t he A bb e C hapelo ud

ha d c re at ed f or hi ms el f. W he n hi s f ri end f el l i ll he w ent t o h im o ut

o f t rue a ff ec ti on ; b ut a ll t he s am e, w he n h e f ir st h ea rd o f h is

i ll ne ss , a nd w he n h e s at by hi s be d t o k ee p hi m c om pa ny, t he re a ros e

P a g e 9



i n t he d ep th s of h is c ons ci ou sn es s, i n s pi te o f hi ms el f, a c ro wd o f

t h ou gh ts t he s im pl e f or mu la o f w hi ch w as alw ay s, " If C hapelo ud d ies I

can have this apartment." And yet--Birotteau having an excellent

he ar t, c on tr ac te d i de as , a nd a l imi te d m ind -- he d id n ot g o s o f ar a s

t o t hi nk o f m ea ns b y w hi ch t o m ak e hi s f ri en d b eq ue at h t o h im t he

library and the furniture.

The Abbe Chapeloud, an amiable, indulgent egoist, fathomed his

friend's desires--not a difficult thing to do--and forgave them; which

ma y s ee m l es s e as y t o a pr ie st ; but i t mu st be r em emb er ed t ha t t he

v icar , w ho se f ri en ds hi p w as f ai th fu l, d id n ot f ai l t o t ak e a d ai ly

wa lk wi th h is f ri end a lo ng t he ir u su al p at h i n t he M ai l d e T ou rs ,

n eve r on ce d ep ri vi ng h im o f a n i ns ta nt of t he t im e d ev ot ed f or ov er

t went y y ear s t o t hat exer ci s e. B ir ot teau, w ho r egar ded h is s ecr et

w is he s a s c ri me s, w ou ld h av e b ee n c ap ab le , o ut o f c on tr it io n, o f t he

u tm os t d ev ot io n t o h is f ri en d. T he l at ter p ai d h is d eb t o f g rati tu de

f or a f ri en ds hi p s o i ng en uo us ly s in cere b y s ay in g, a f ew d ay s b ef or e

h is d eath , as t he v icar s at b y h im r eadi ng t he " Qu ot id ienn e" alo ud :

" Th is t im e y ou w il l cer tain ly g et t he apart ment . I f eel i t i s all o ver

w i th m e n ow ."

A ccor di ng ly , i t w as f ou nd t hat t he A bb e C hapelo ud h ad l ef t h is l ib rary

an d all h is f ur ni tu re t o h is f ri en d B ir ot teau . T he p os sess io n o f t hese

t hi ng s, s o k ee nl y d es ir ed , a nd t he p ro sp ec t o f b ei ng t ak en t o b oa rd b y

Mademoiselle Gamard, certainly did allay the grief which Birotteau

f elt a t t he de at h of his f rie nd t he c anon. H e m ight not have be en

P a g e 1 0



w il li ng t o r es us ci tate h im ; b ut h e m ou rn ed h im . F or s ev er al d ay s h e

w as l ik e G ar gant us , w ho , w hen h is w if e d ied i n g iv in g b ir th t o

Pa nt agr ue l, di d not k no w w he the r t o r ej oi ce a t t he bi rt h o f a s on or

g ri ev e at h av in g b ur ied h is g oo d B ab et te, and t herefo re cheated

h im self b y r ej oi ci ng at t he d eath o f h is w if e, and d ep lo ri ng t he

advent of Pantagruel.

T he A bb e B ir ot teau s pent t he f ir st d ay s o f h is m ou rn in g i n v er if yi ng

t he b oo ks i n H IS l ib rary , i n m ak in g u se o f H IS f ur ni tu re, i n exami ni ng

the whole of his inheritance, saying in a tone which, unfortunately,

w as n ot no te d a t t he t ime , " Poo r Ch ape loud! " Hi s j oy a nd h is gr ie f s o

c om pl et el y a bs or be d h im t ha t he f el t n o p ai n w he n h e f ou nd t ha t t he

o ff ice o f can on , i n w hi ch t he l at e C hapelo ud h ad h op ed h is f ri en d

Birotteau might succeed him, was given to another. Mademoiselle Gamard

h av in g c he er fu ll y a gr ee d t o t ak e t he v ic ar t o b oa rd , t he l at te r w as

thenceforth a participator in all those felicities of material comfort

o f w hi ch t he d ec ea se d c ano n h ad b ee n w on t t o b oa st .

I ncal cu labl e t hey w er e! A ccor di ng t o t he A bb e C hapelo ud n on e o f t he

p ri es ts w ho i nh ab it ed t he c it y o f T ou rs , n ot e ve n t he a rc hb is ho p, h ad

e ve r b ee n t he o bj ec t o f s uc h m in ut e a nd d el ic at e a tt en ti on s a s t ho se

b es to we d b y M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d o n h er t wo l od ge rs . T he f ir st w or ds

t he c anon s aid t o hi s fr iend when t hey me t for t he ir wa lk on t he M ai l

r ef er re d u su al ly t o t he s uc cu le nt d in ne r h e h ad j us t e at en ; a nd i t w as

a ve ry r ar e t hi ng if dur ing t he wa lks of e ac h we ek he di d n ot s ay a t

P a g e 1 1



least fourteen times, "That excellent spinster certainly has a

vocation for serving ecclesiastics."

" Ju st t hi nk ," t he can on w ou ld s ay t o B ir ot teau , " th at f or t welv e

consecutive years nothing has ever been amiss,--linen in perfect

or der, b an ds , alb s, s ur pl ices ; I f in d every th in g i n i ts p lace, alw ay s

in sufficient quantity, and smelling of orris-root. My furniture is

r ubb ed a nd ke pt s o b ri gh t t ha t I d on' t kn ow w he n I ha ve s ee n a ny d us t

--did you ever s ee a spec k of it i n my rooms? Then the f ire wood is so

w el l s el ected. T he l east l it tl e t hi ng s are excel lent . I n f act,

M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d k ee ps a n i nc es sa nt w at ch o ve r m y w an ts . I c an 't

remember having rung twice for anything--no matter what--in ten years.

T ha t' s w ha t I c al l l ivi ng ! I n eve r h av e t o l ook f or a s in gl e t hi ng ,

n ot e ve n m y s li pp er s. A lw ay s a g oo d f ir e, a lw ay s a g oo d d in ne r. O nc e

t he b el lo ws a nn oy ed m e, t he n oz zl e w as c ho ke d u p; b ut I o nl y m en ti on ed

i t o nc e, a nd t he n ex t d ay M ad em oi se ll e g av e m e a v er y p re tt y p ai r,

a ls o t hos e n ic e t on gs y ou s ee m e m en d t he f ir e w it h. "

F or all ans wer B ir ot teau w ou ld s ay , " Sm el li ng o f o rr is -r oo t! " T hat

"smelling of orris-root" always affected him. The canon's remarks

r ev ea le d i de al j oy s t o t he p oor vi ca r, w hos e b and s a nd a lb s w er e t he

p la gu e o f h is l if e, f or h e w as t ot al ly d ev oi d o f m et ho d a nd of te n

f or go t t o o rd er h is d in ner. T herefo re, i f h e s aw M ad em oi sell e G am ar d

at S ai nt -G at ien w hi le s ay in g m as s o r t ak in g r ou nd t he p late, h e n ev er

f ai le d t o g iv e h er a k in dl y a nd b en ev ol en t l oo k, -- su ch a l oo k a s S ai nt

T er es a m ig ht h av e c as t t o h ea ve n.

P a g e 1 2



T ho ug h t he com fo rt s w hi ch all creat ur es d es ir e, and f or w hi ch h e h ad

s o o ft en l on ge d, t hu s f el l t o h is s ha re , t he A bb e B ir ot te au , l ik e t he

r es t o f t he w or ld , f ou nd i t di ff ic ul t, e ve n f or a pr ie st , t o l ive

without something to hanker for. Consequently, for the last eighteen

m on th s h e h ad r ep laced h is t wo s at is fi ed p as si on s b y an ard en t l on gi ng

f or a c an onry. The ti tl e of C anon ha d be com e t o hi m ve ry muc h w ha t a

p ee ra ge i s t o a p le be ia n m in is te r. T he p ro sp ec t o f a n a pp oi nt me nt ,

hope s o f w hi ch h ad j us t be en he ld o ut t o h im a t M ada me de Li st om er e' s,

s o c om pl et el y t ur ne d h is h ea d t ha t h e d id n ot o bs er ve u nt il h e r ea ch ed

h is o wn d oo r t ha t h e h ad l ef t h is u mb re ll a be hi nd hi m. P er ha ps , e ve n

t hen, i f t he r ai n w er e n ot f al li ng i n t or rent s h e m ig ht n ot h av e

mi ss ed i t, s o a bs or be d wa s h e i n t he pl ea sur e of go ing o ve r a nd ov er

i n h is m in d w ha t h ad b ee n s ai d t o hi m o n t he s ub je ct of h is p rom ot io n

b y t he c om pa ny a t M ad am e d e L is to me re 's ,- -a n o ld l ad y w it h w ho m h e

spent every Wednesday evening.

T he vi ca r ra ng l oudl y, a s i f t o l et t he s er va nt know s he w as not t o

k e ep hi m w ai ti ng. T he n he s too d c los e t o t he d oor t o a voi d, i f he

cou ld , g et ti ng s ho wered; b ut t he d ri p f ro m t he r oo f f el l p reci sely o n

t he t oe s of hi s s hoe s, a nd t he wi nd bl ew gust s of ra in i nt o hi s f ac e

t hat w er e m uch l ik e a s ho wer- bath . H av in g cal cu lated t he t im e n eces ar y

f or t he w om an t o l ea ve t he k it ch en a nd p ul l t he s tr in g o f t he o ut er

d oo r, h e r an g a ga in , t hi s t im e i n a m an ne r t ha t r es ul te d i n a v er y

significant peal of the bell.

P a g e 1 3



" Th ey can 't b e o ut ," h e s ai d t o h im self , n ot h eari ng any m ov em en t o n

the premises.

A gain h e r an g, p ro du ci ng a s ou nd t hat ech oed s harp ly t hr ou gh t he h ou se

a nd w as t ak en u p a nd r ep ea te d b y a ll t he e ch oe s o f t he c at he dr al , s o

t ha t n o o ne c ou ld a vo id w ak in g u p a t t he r em on st ra ti ng r ac ke t.

A ccor di ng ly , i n a f ew m om en ts , h e h eard , n ot w it ho ut s om e p leas ur e i n

h is w rath , t he w oo den s ho es o f t he s er vant -w om an clack in g alo ng t he

p av ed p at h w hi ch l ed t o t he o ut er d oo r. B ut e ve n t he n t he d is co mf or ts

o f t he g ou ty o ld g en tl em an w er e n ot s o q ui ck ly o ve r a s h e h op ed .

I ns tead o f p ul li ng t he s tr in g, M ar iann e w as o bl ig ed t o t ur n t he l ock

o f t he d oor w it h i ts he avy k ey, a nd p ul l ba ck a ll t he bol ts .

" Wh y d id y ou l et m e r in g t hr ee t im es i n s uc h w ea the r? " s ai d t he vi ca r.

" But , mo ns ie ur , don 't you s ee t he do or wa s l oc ke d? W e ha ve a ll be en i n

be d e ve r s o l ong ; i t s tr uc k a q ua rt er t o e le ve n s om e t ime a go .

Mademoiselle must have thought you were in."

" Yo u s aw m e g o o ut , y ou rs el f. B es id es , M ad em oi sell e k no ws v er y w el l I

al ways g o t o M ad am e d e L is to mere's o n W ed nes day eveni ng ."

" I o nl y d id as M ad em oi sell e t ol d m e, m on si eu r. "

T he se w or ds s tr uc k t he v ic ar a b lo w, w hi ch h e f el t t he m or e b ec au se

P a g e 1 4



h is l at e r ev er y h ad m ad e h im com pl et el y h ap py . H e s ai d n ot hi ng and

f o l lo wed M ar iann e t ow ar ds t he k it ch en t o g et h is can dl es ti ck , w hi ch h e

s up po se d h ad b ee n l ef t t he re a s u su al . B ut i ns te ad o f e nt er in g t he

k it ch en M ar ia nn e w en t o n t o h is o wn a pa rt me nt s, a nd t he re t he v ic ar

b ehe ld h is c an dl es ti ck o n a t ab le c lo se t o t he d oo r o f t he r ed s al on,

i n a s or t o f a nt ec ha mb er f or me d b y t he l an di ng o f t he s ta ir ca se , w hi ch

t he l at e can on h ad i nclo sed w it h a g lass p ar ti ti on . M ut e w it h

am azem en t, h e ent er ed h is b ed ro om h as ti ly , f ou nd n o f ir e, and cal led

t o M ar ia nn e, w ho h ad n ot h ad t im e t o g et d ow ns ta ir s.

" Yo u h av e n ot l ig ht ed t he f ir e! " h e s ai d.

" Be g p ar do n, M on si eu r l 'a bb e, I d id ," s he s ai d; " it m us t h av e g on e

out."

B ir ot teau l oo ked again at t he h eart h, and f el t con vi nced t hat t he f ir e

h ad b een o ut s in ce m or ni ng .

" I m us t dr y m y f ee t, " he s ai d. " Ma ke t he f ir e."

M ar ia nne ob ey ed w it h t he h as te of a p er so n w ho w an ts t o g et b ac k t o

h er n ig ht 's r es t. W hi le l oo ki ng abo ut h im f or h is s li pp er s, w hi ch w er e

n ot i n t he m idd le o f hi s be ds ide c ar pe t a s u sua l, t he a bbe t ook m ent al

n ot es o f t he s ta te o f M ar ia nn e' s d re ss , w hi ch c on vi nc ed h im t ha t s he

h ad not got out of bed to open the door as she said she had. He then

P a g e 1 5



r ec ol le ct ed t ha t f or t he l as t t wo w ee ks h e h ad be en de pr iv ed of

various little attentions which for eighteen months had made life

s we et t o h im . N ow , a s t he n at ur e o f n ar ro w m in ds i nd uc es t he m t o s tu dy

trifles, Birotteau plunged suddenly into deep meditation on these four

circumstances, imperceptible in their meaning to others, but to him

i nd icat iv e o f f ou r cat as tr op hes. T he t ot al l os s o f h is h ap pi ness w as

evi dent ly f or es hado wed i n t he n eg lect t o p lace h is s li pp pers , i n

M ar iann e' s f al seho od abo ut t he f ir e, i n t he u nu su al r em ov al o f h is

c an dl es ti ck t o t he t ab le o f t he a nt ec ha mb er , a nd i n t he e vi de nt

i nt en ti on t o k eep h im w ai ti ng i n t he r ai n.

W he n t he f ir e w as b ur ni ng o n t he h ea rt h, a nd t he l am p w as l ig ht ed , a nd

M ar iann e h ad d ep ar ted w it ho ut s ay in g, as u su al , " Do es M on si eu r w an t

anything more?" the Abbe Birotteau let himself fall gently into the

w id e a nd h an ds om e e as y- ch ai r o f h is l at e f ri en d; b ut t he re w as

something mournful in the movement with which he dropped upon it. The

g oo d s ou l w as cru sh ed b y a p resent im en t o f com in g cal am it y. H is eyes

r ov ed s uccess iv el y t o t he h an ds om e t all clo ck , t he b ur eau, cur tain s,

c ha ir s, c ar pe ts , t o t he s ta te ly b ed , t he b as in o f h ol y- wa te r, t he

cru ci fi x, t o a V ir gi n b y V al en ti n, a C hr is t b y L eb ru n, -- in s ho rt , t o

all t he acces so ri es o f t hi s cheri sh ed r oo m, w hi le h is f ace exp ress ed

th e a ng ui sh o f t he t en de re st f ar ew el l t ha t a l ov er e ve r t oo k o f h is

f ir st m is tr es s, o r a n o ld m an o f h is l at el y p la nt ed t re es . T he v ic ar

h ad j us t p er ce iv ed , s om ew ha t l at e i t i s t ru e, t he s ig ns o f a d um b

p er secu ti on i ns ti tu ted again st h im f or t he l as t t hr ee m on th s b y

Mademoiselle Gamard, whose evil intentions would doubtless have been

P a g e 1 6



f at ho med m uch s oo ner b y a m or e i nt el li gent m an . O ld m ai ds h av e a

s peci al t al en t f or accen tu at in g t he w or ds and act io ns w hi ch t heir

d is li kes s ug gest t o t hem. T hey s cr at ch l ik e cat s. T hey n ot o nl y w ou nd

bu t t hey t ak e p leas ur e i n w ou nd in g, and i n m ak in g t heir v icti m s ee

t ha t h e i s w ou nd ed . A m an o f t he w or ld w ou ld n ev er h av e a ll ow ed

h im se lf t o b e s cr at ch ed t wi ce ; t he g oo d a bb e, o n t he c on tr ar y, h ad

t ak en s ev er al b lo ws f ro m t ho se s ha rp c la ws b ef or e h e c ou ld b e b ro ug ht

to believe in any evil intention.

B ut w he n h e di d p er ce iv e i t, h e s et t o w or k, w it h t he i nq ui si to ri al

sagacity which priests acquire by directing consciences and burrowing

in to t he n ot hi ng s o f t he con fess io nal, t o est ab li sh , as t ho ug h i t w er e

a matter of religious controversy, the following proposition:

" Ad mi tt in g t hat M ad em oi sell e G am ar d d id n ot r em em ber i t w as M ad am e d e

L is to me re 's e ve ni ng , a nd t ha t M ar ia nn e d id t hi nk I w as h om e, a nd d id

r eall y f or get t o m ak e m y f ir e, i t i s i mp os si bl e, i nasm uch as I m ys el f

took down my candlestick this morning, that Mademoiselle Gamard,

s ee ing i t i n he r s al on, c ou ld h ave s up pos ed I ha d go ne t o be d. E rgo ,

M ad em oi sell e G am ar d i nt en ded t hat I s ho ul d s tand o ut i n t he r ai n, and ,

b y car ry in g m y can dl es ti ck u ps tair s, s he m eant t o m ak e m e u nd er st an d

i t. W ha t doe s i t a ll me an? " he s ai d a loud, ro use d by t he gr avi ty of

t he se c ir cu ms ta nc es , a nd r is in g a s h e s po ke t o t ak e o ff h is d am p

c lo th es , g et i nt o h is d re ss in g- go wn , a nd d o u p h is h ea d f or t he n ig ht .

T hen h e r et ur ned f ro m t he b ed t o t he f ir ep lace, g es ti cu lati ng , and

launching forth in various tones the following sentences, all of which

P a g e 1 7



en ded i n a h ig h f al sett o k ey , l ik e n ot es o f i nt er ject io n:

" Wha t t he de uc e ha ve I done to he r? W hy i s s he a ngr y wi th m e? M ar ia nne

di d N OT f or ge t m y f ir e! M ade mo is el le t ol d h er n ot t o l ig ht i t! I m us t

be a chil d i f I ca n't see , from the tone and manner she has bee n

t ak in g t o m e, t hat I 'v e d on e s om et hi ng t o d is pl ease h er . N ot hi ng l ik e

i t e ve r h ap pe ne d t o C ha pe lo ud ! I c an 't l iv e i n t he m id st o f s uc h

t or m en ts as -- At m y age- -"

H e w en t t o be d h op in g t ha t t he m or ro w m igh t e nl igh te n h im on t he

caus es o f t he d is li ke w hi ch t hr eat en ed t o d es tr oy f or ev er t he

h ap pi ne ss h e h ad n ow e nj oy ed t wo y ea rs a ft er w is hi ng f or i t s o l on g.

Alas! the secret reasons for the inimical feelings Mademoiselle Gamard

b or e t o t he l uc kl es s a bb e w er e f at ed t o r em ai n e te rn al ly u nk no wn t o

h im ,- -n ot t hat t hey w er e d if fi cu lt t o f at ho m, b ut s im pl y b ecau se h e

l ac ke d t he g oo d f ai th a nd c an do r b y w hi ch g re at s ou ls a nd s co un dr el s

l oo k w it hi n a nd j ud ge t he ms el ve s. A m an o f g en iu s o r a t ri ck st er s ay s

t o h im self , " I d id w ro ng ." S el f- in terest and n at iv e t al en t are t he

o nl y i nf al li bl e and l ucid g ui des. N ow t he A bb e B ir ot teau , w ho se

g oo dn es s amo un ted t o s tu pi di ty , w ho se k no wl edg e w as o nl y, as i t w er e,

pl as te re d o n h im b y d in t o f s tu dy , w ho h ad n o e xp er ie nc e w ha te ve r o f

t he wor ld a nd i ts w ays , w ho l ive d be twe en t he m as s a nd t he

confessional, chiefly occupied in dealing the most trivial matters of

c on sc ie nc e i n h is c ap ac it y o f c on fe ss or t o a ll t he s ch oo ls i n t ow n a nd

t o a f ew n ob le s ou ls w ho r ig ht ly app reci ated h im ,- -t he A bb e B ir ot teau

mu st b e r eg ar de d a s a gr ea t c hi ld, t o w hom m os t o f t he pr ac ti ce s o f

P a g e 1 8



s ocial l if e w er e u tt er ly u nk no wn . A nd y et , t he n at ur al s el fi sh ness o f

all h um an b ei ng s, r ei nf or ced b y t he s el fi sh ness p ecul iar t o t he

p r ie st ho od a nd t ha t o f t he n ar ro w l if e o f t he p ro vi nc es h ad

insensibly, and unknown to himself, developed within him. If any one

h ad f el t e no ug h i nt er es t i n t he g oo d m an t o p ro be h is s pi ri t a nd p ro ve

to h im t ha t i n t he n um er ou s pe tt y d et ai ls o f hi s l if e a nd i n t he

m in ut e d ut ies o f h is d ai ly exi st en ce h e w as ess en ti al ly l acki ng i n t he

self-sacrifice he professed, he would have punished and mortified

h im self i n g oo d f ai th . B ut t ho se w ho m w e o ff en d b y s uch u ncon scio us

s el fi sh ness p ay l it tl e h eed t o o ur r eal i nn ocen ce; w hat t hey w an t i s

v en ge an ce , a nd t he y t ak e i t. T hu s i t h ap pe ne d t ha t B ir ot te au , w ea k

br ot he r t ha t h e w as , w as m ade t o u nde rgo t he d ec re es of t ha t g re at

distributive Justice which goes about compelling the world to execute

its judgments,--called by ninnies "the misfortunes of life."

T he re w as t hi s d if fe re nc e b et we en t he l at e C ha pe lo ud a nd t he v ic ar ,- -

o ne w as a s hr ew d a nd c le ve r e go is t, t he o th er a s im pl e- mi nd ed a nd

c lu ms y o ne . W he n t he c an on w en t t o b oa rd w it h M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d h e

k new exact ly h ow t o j ud ge o f h is l an dl ad y' s charact er . T he

con fess io nal h ad t au gh t h im t o u nd er st an d t he b it tern es s t hat t he

s ens e of be ing ke pt o ut si de t he s oc ia l p al e put s i nt o t he he ar t of a n

o ld m ai d; h e t herefo re cal cu lated h is o wn t reat ment o f M ad em oi sell e

G am ar d v er y w is el y. S he w as t hen abo ut t hi rt y- ei gh t y ears o ld , and

s ti ll r et ai ned a f ew p retens io ns , w hi ch , i n w el l- behaved p er so ns o f

her condition, change, rather later, into strong personal self-esteem.

P a g e 1 9



T he can on s aw p lain ly t hat t o l iv e com fo rt ab ly w it h h is l an dl ad y h e

m us t p ay h er i nv ar iabl y t he s am e att en ti on s and b e m or e i nf al li bl e

t ha n t he p op e h im se lf . T o c om pa ss t hi s r es ul t, h e a ll ow ed n o po in ts o f

co nt act b et ween h im self and h er excep t t ho se t hat p ol i tenes s d em an ded,

and t ho se w hi ch n eces sari ly exi st b et ween t wo p er so ns l iv in g u nd er t he

s am e r oo f. T hu s, t ho ug h h e a nd t he A bb e T ro ub er t t oo k t he ir r eg ul ar

t hr ee m eals a d ay , h e avo id ed t he f am il y b reak fast b y i nd ucin g

M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d t o s en d h is c of fe e t o h is o wn r oo m. H e a ls o

a vo id ed t he a nn oy an ce o f s up pe r b y t ak in g t ea i n t he h ou se s o f f ri en ds

w it h w ho m he s pe nt h is e ve ni ngs . I n t hi s w ay h e s el do m s aw h is

l an dl ady e xc ept a t di nne r; b ut he a lwa ys c ame down t o t ha t m ea l a f ew

m in ut es i n adv an ce o f t he h ou r. D ur in g t hi s v is it o f cou rt es y, as i t

m ay be c al le d, h e t al ke d t o he r, f or t he t we lve ye ar s he ha d l ive d

u nd er h er r oo f, o n n ea rl y t he s am e t op ic s, r ec ei vi ng f ro m h er t he s am e

ans wers . H ow s he h ad s lept , h er b reakf ast , t he t ri vi al d om es t ic

e ve nt s, h er l oo ks , h er h ea lt h, t he w ea th er , t he t im e t he c hu rc h

se rv ic es h ad l as te d, t he i nc id en ts o f t he m as s, t he h ea lt h o f s uc h o r

s uch a p ri est ,- -t hes e w er e t he s ub ject s o f t hei r d ai ly con vers ati on .

During dinner he invariably paid her certain indirect compliments; the

f is h h ad an excel lent f lavo r; t he s easo ni ng o f a s au ce w as d el icio us ;

M ademo is el le G am ar d' s cap acit ies and v ir tu es as m is tr es s o f a

h ou seho ld w er e g reat . H e w as s ur e o f f latt er in g t he o ld m ai d' s v an it y

b y p ra is in g t he s ki ll w it h w hi ch s he m ad e o r p re pa re d h er p re se rv es

and p ickl es and p at es and o th er g as tr on om ical i nv en ti on s. T o cap all ,

t he w il y can on n ev er l ef t h is l an dl ad y' s y el lo w s al on aft er d in ner

w it ho ut r em ar ki ng t ha t t he re w as n o h ou se i n T ou rs w he re h e c ou ld g et

P a g e 2 0



s uc h g oo d c of fe e a s t ha t h e h ad j us t i mb ib ed .

Thanks to this thorough understanding of Mademoiselle Gamard's

c ha ra ct er , a nd t o t he s ci en ce o f e xi st en ce w hi ch h e h ad p ut i n

p ra ct ic e f or t he l as t t we lv e y ea rs , n o m at te r o f d is cu ss io n o n t he

i nt er nal arr an gement s o f t he h ou seho ld h ad ever com e u p b et ween t hem.

T he A bb e C ha pe lo ud h ad t ak en n ot e o f t he s pi ns te r' s a ng le s,

a sp er it ie s, a nd c ra bb ed ne ss , a nd h ad s o a rr an ge d h is a vo id an ce o f h er

t hat h e o bt ai ned w it ho ut t he l east d if fi cu lt y all t he con cess io ns t hat

w er e n eces sary t o t he h ap pi ness and t ranq ui li ty o f h is l if e. T he

r es ul t w as t hat M ad em oi sell e G am ar d f requ en tl y r em ar ked t o h er f ri en ds

a nd a cq ua in ta nc es t ha t t he A bb e C ha pe lo ud w as a v er y a mi ab le m an ,

ext remely eas y t o l iv e w it h, and a f in e m in d.

A s t o h er o th er l od ge r, t he A bb e T ro ub er t, s he s ai d a bs ol ut el y n ot hi ng

abo ut h im . C om pl et el y i nv ol ved i n t he r ou nd o f h er l if e, l ik e a

s at el li te i n t he or bi t o f a p la ne t, Tr oub er t wa s t o he r a s or t o f

intermediary creature between the individuals of the human species and

t hos e of t he c ani ne s pe ci es ; he w as c la ss ed i n h er he ar t n ext , but

d ir ec tl y b ef or e, t he p la ce i nt en de d f or f ri en ds b ut n ow o cc up ie d b y a

f at and w heezy p ug w hi ch s he t en derl y l ov ed . S he r ul ed T ro ub er t

completely, and the intermingling of their interests was so obvious

t ha t m an y p er so ns o f h er s oc ia l s ph er e b el ie ve d t ha t t he A bb e T ro ub er t

h ad d es ig ns o n t he o ld m ai d' s p ro pe rt y, a nd w as b in di ng h er t o h im

unawares with infinite patience, and really directing her while he

P a g e 2 1



s eemed t o b e o beyi ng w it ho ut ever l et ti ng h er p er ci ev e i n h im t he

s li gh te st w is h o n h is p ar t t o g ov er n h er .

W he n t he A bb e C ha pe lo ud d ie d, t he o ld m ai d, w ho d es ir ed a l od ge r w it h

q ui et w ay s, n at ur al ly t ho ug ht o f t he v icar . B ef or e t he can on 's w il l

wa s m ad e k no wn s he h ad m ed it at ed o ff er in g h is r oo ms t o t he A bb e

T ro ub er t, w ho w as n ot v er y com fo rt abl e o n t he g ro un d- fl oo r. B ut w hen

th e A bb e B ir ot teau , o n r ecei vi ng h is l eg acy, cam e t o s et tl e i n w ri ti ng

t he t er ms of hi s boa rd s he s aw he wa s s o i n l ove w it h t he a pa rt me nt ,

f or w hi ch h e m ig ht n ow adm it h is l on g cheri sh ed d es ir es , t hat s he

d ar ed n ot p ro po se t he exchang e, and accor di ng ly s acr if i ced h er

s en ti ment s o f f ri en ds hi p t o t he d em an ds o f s el f- in terest . B ut i n o rd er

t o con so le h er b el ov ed can on , M ad em oi s el le t oo k u p t he l ar ge w hi te

C hat eau- Renaud b ri cks t hat m ad e t he f l oo rs o f h is apart ment and

r ep laced t hem b y w oo den f lo or s l ai d i n " po in t d e H on gr ie." S he als o

rebuilt a smoky chimney.

F or t we lv e y ea rs t he A bb e B ir ot te au h ad s ee n h is f ri en d C ha pe lo ud i n

t hat h ou se w it ho ut ever g iv in g a t ho ug ht t o t he m ot iv e o f t he can on 's

extreme circumspection in his relations to Mademoiselle Gamard. When

he c am e h im se lf t o l ive w it h t ha t s ai nt ly w om an he wa s i n t he

c ondit ion of a love r on the poi nt of be ing ma de happy. Eve n i f he had

n ot b ee n b y n at ur e p ur bl in d o f i nt el le ct , h is e ye s w er e t oo d az zl ed b y

h is n ew h ap pi ne ss t o a ll ow h im t o j ud ge of t he l an dl ad y, o r t o r ef le ct

on t he l im it s w hi ch h e o ug ht t o i mp os e o n t heir d ai ly i nt er co ur se.

M ad em oi sell e G am ar d, s een f ro m afar and t hr ou gh t he p ri sm o f t ho se

P a g e 2 2



material felicities which the vicar dreamed of enjoying in her house,

s eemed t o h im a p er fect b ei ng , a f au lt less C hr is ti an , ess en ti al ly

chari tabl e, t he w om an o f t he G os pel, t he w is e v ir gi n, ado rn ed b y all

t ho se h um bl e and m od es t v ir tu es w hi ch s hed cel es ti al f ragr an ce u po n

life.

S o, w it h t he e nt hu si as m o f o ne w ho a tt ai ns a n o bj ec t l on g d es ir ed ,

w it h t he c an do r o f a c hi ld , a nd t he b lun de ri ng f oo li sh ne ss o f a n o ld

man utterly without worldly experience, he fell into the life of

M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d p re ci se ly a s a f ly i s c au gh t i n a s pi de r' s w eb .

The fi rst day that he went to di ne and s leep a t the house he was

d et ai ned i n t he s al on aft er d in ner, p ar tl y t o m ak e h is l an dl ad y' s

acquaintance, but chiefly by that inexplicable embarrassment which

o ft en a ss ai ls t im id p eo pl e a nd m ak es t he m f ea r t o s ee m i mp ol it e b y

b reak in g o ff a con vers at i on i n o rd er t o t ake l eave. C on sequ en tl y h e

r em ai ned t here t he w ho le eveni ng . T hen a f ri en d o f h is , a cer tain

M ademo is el le S al om on d e V il leno ix , cam e t o s ee h im , and t hi s g av e

M ad em oi sell e G am ar d t he h ap pi ness o f f or mi ng a car d- tabl e; s o t hat

wh en t he v ic ar w ent t o be d h e f el t t ha t he h ad p as se d a ve ry a gr ee ab le

eveni ng . K no wi ng M ad em oi sell e G am ar d and t he A bb e T ro ub er t b ut

s li gh tl y, h e s aw o nl y t he s up er fi ci al asp ects o f t heir charact er s; f ew

p e rs on s b ar e t he ir d ef ec ts a t o nc e, t he y g en er al ly t ak e o n a b ec om in g

veneer.

T he w or th y a bb e w as t hu s l ed t o s ugg es t t o hi ms el f t he c ha rm in g p la n

P a g e 2 3



o f d ev ot in g all h is eveni ng s t o M ad em oi sell e G am ar d, i ns tead o f

s pe nd in g t he m, a s C ha pe lo ud h ad d on e, e ls ew he re . T he o ld m ai d h ad f or

ye ar s b ee n po ss es se d b y a de si re w hi ch gr ew s tr ong er d ay by da y. T hi s

d es ir e, o ft en f or me d b y o ld p er so ns a nd e ve n b y p re tt y w om en , h ad

b ec om e i n M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d' s s ou l a s a rd en t a l on gi ng a s t ha t o f

B i r ot teau f or C hapelo ud 's apart ment ; and i t w as s tr en gt hened b y all

t ho se f eeli ng s o f p ri de, ego ti sm , env y, and v an it y w hi ch p re-exi st i n

t he b reas t s o f w or l dl y p eo pl e.

T hi s h is to ry i s o f all t im e; i t s uf fi ces t o w id en s li gh tl y t he n ar ro w

c ir cl e i n w hi ch t he se p er so na ge s a re a bo ut t o a ct t o f in d t he

coeff icient r easo ns o f event s w hi ch t ak e p lace i n t he v er y h ig hest

s p heres o f s ocial l if e.

M ad em oi sell e G am ar d s pent h er eveni ng s b y r ot at io n i n s ix o r eig ht

d if ferent h ou ses. W heth er i t w as t hat s he d is li ked b ei ng o bl ig ed t o g o

out to se ek s oc ie ty, a nd c ons ider ed tha t a t her age she ha d a ri ght to

e xp ec t s om e r et ur n; o r t ha t h er p ri de w as w ou nd ed a t r ec ei vi ng n o

com pany i n h er h ou se; o r t hat h er s el f- lo ve craved t he com pl im en ts s he

s aw h er v ar io us h os tes ses r eceiv e, -- cer tai n i t i s t hat h er w ho le

a mb it io n w as t o m ak e h er s al on a c en tr e t ow ar ds w hi ch a g iv en n um be r

o f p er so ns s ho ul d n ig ht ly m ak e t heir w ay w it h p leas ur e. O ne m or ni ng as

she left Saint-Gatien, after Birotteau and his friend Mademoiselle

S al om on h ad s pent a f ew eveni ng s w it h h er and w it h t he f ai th fu l and

pa ti en t T ro ub er t, s he s ai d t o c er ta in o f h er g oo d f ri en ds w ho m s he m et

a t t he c hu rc h d oo r, a nd w ho se s la ve s he h ad h it he rt o c on si de re d

P a g e 2 4



h er se lf , t ha t t ho se w ho w is he d t o s ee h er c ou ld c er ta in ly c om e o nc e a

w ee k t o h er h ou se , w he re s he h ad f ri en ds e nou gh t o m ake a c ar d- ta bl e;

s he cou ld n ot l eave t he A bb e B ir ot teau ; M ad em oi sell e S al om on h ad n ot

m is se d a s in gl e e ve ni ng t ha t w ee k; s he w as d ev ot ed t o f ri en ds ; a nd -- et

c et er a, e t c et er a. H er s pe ec h w as a ll t he m or e h um bl y h au gh ty a nd

softly persuasive because Mademoiselle Salomon de Villenoix belonged

t o t he m os t ari st ocat ic s ociety i n T ou rs . F or t ho ug h M ad em oi sell e

S al om on cam e t o M ad em oi sell e G am ar d' s h ou se s ol el y o ut o f f ri en ds hi p

f or t he v ic ar , t he o ld m ai d t ri um ph ed i n r ec ei vi ng h er , a nd s aw t ha t,

t ha nk s t o B ir ot te au , s he w as o n t he p oi nt o f s uc ce ed in g i n h er g re at

d es ir e t o f or m a c ir cl e a s nu me ro us a nd a s a gr ee abl e a s t ho se of

M adame d e L is to mere, M ad em oi sell e M er li n d e l a B lo tt iere, and o th er

d ev out l ad ie s w ho w er e i n t he h abi t o f r ec ei vi ng t he p io us a nd

ecclesiastical society of Tours.

B ut alas! t he abb e B ir ot teau h im self cau sed t hi s cheri sh ed h op e t o

m is ca rr y. N ow i f t ho se p er so ns w ho i n t he c ou rs e o f t he ir l iv es h av e

a tt ai ne d t o t he e nj oy me nt o f a l on g d es ir ed h ap pi ne ss a nd h av e

t he re fo re c om pr eh en de d t he j oy o f t he v ic ar w he n h e s te pp ed i nt o

C hapelo ud 's v acan t p lace, t hey w il l als o h av e g ai ned s om e f ai nt i dea

of M ad em oi sell e G am ar d' s d is tr ess at t he o vert hr ow o f h er f avo ri te

plan.

A ft er accep ti ng h is h ap pi ness i n t he o ld m ai d' s s al on f or s ix m on th s

w it h t ol er ab le p at ience, B ir ot teau d es er ted t he h ou se o f an eveni ng ,

P a g e 2 5



carrying with him Mademoiselle Salomon. In spite of her utmost efforts

the ambitious Gamard had recruited barely six visitors, whose faithful

att end an ce w as m or e t han p ro bl em at i cal ; and b os t on cou ld n ot b e p layed

n ig ht aft er n ig ht u nl es s at l east f ou r p er so ns w er e p resent . T he

d ef ecti on o f h er t wo p ri ncip al g uest s o bl ig ed h er t herefo re t o m ak e

suitable apologies and return to her evening visiting among former

f r iend s; f or o ld m ai ds f in d t heir o wn com pany s o d is tast ef ul t hat t hey

p re fe r t o s ee k t he d ou bt fu l p le as ur es o f s oc ie ty .

T he cau se o f t hi s d es er ti on i s p lain eno ug h. A lt ho ug h t he v icar w as

o ne o f t ho se t o w ho m h ea ve n i s h er ea ft er t o b el on g i n v ir tu e o f t he

d ec re e " Bl es se d a re t he p oo r i n s pi ri t, " h e c ou ld n ot , l ik e s om e

f oo ls , end ur e t he ann oy an ce t hat o th er f oo ls caus ed h im . P er s on s

w it ho ut m in ds a re l ik e w ee ds t ha t d el ig ht i n g oo d e ar th ; t he y w an t t o

be a mu se d b y o th er s, a ll t he m or e b ec au se t he y a re d ul l w it hi n. T he

i ncar nati on o f enn ui t o w hi ch t hey are v icti ms , j oi ned t o t he n eed

t h ey f eel o f g et ti ng a d iv or ce f ro m t hems el ves, p ro du ces t hat p as si on

f or m ov in g abo ut , f or b ei ng s om ew here els e t han w here t hey are, w hi ch

d is ti ng ui sh es t heir s peci es ,- -and als o t hat o f all b ei ng s d ev oi d o f

s ens it iv en es s, and t ho se w ho h av e m is sed t heir d es ti ny , o r w ho s uf fer

b y t heir o wn f au lt .

Without really fathoming the vacuity and emptiness of Mademoiselle

G am ar d' s m in d, o r s tati ng t o h im self t he p et ti ness o f h er i deas , t he

p oo r abb e p er cei ved, u nf or tu natel y t oo l ate, t he d ef ect s w hi ch s he

s ha re d w it h a ll o ld m ai ds , a nd t ho se w hi ch w er e p ec ul ia r t o h er se lf .

P a g e 2 6



T he b ad p oi nt s o f o th er s s ho w o ut s o s tr on gl y a ga in st t he g oo d t ha t

t hey u su al ly s tr ik e o ur eyes b ef or e t hey w ou nd u s. T hi s m or al

ph en om en on m ig ht , a t a p in ch , b e m ad e t o e xc us e t he t en de nc y w e a ll

h av e, m or e o r l es s, t o g os si p. I t i s s o n at ur al , s oc ia ll y s pe ak in g, t o

l au gh at t he f ai li ng s o f o th er s t hat w e o ug ht t o f or gi ve t he r id icul e

o ur o wn abs ur di ti es excit e, and b e ann oy ed o nl y b y cal um ny . B ut i n

t h is i ns ta nc e t he e ye s o f t he g oo d v ic ar n ev er r ea ch ed t he o pt ic al

r ange whi ch e na bl es m en of t he wo rl d t o s ee a nd e va de t he ir

n ei gh bo ur s' r ou gh p oi nt s. B ef or e h e cou ld b e b ro ug ht t o p er ceiv e t he

f au lt s o f h is l an dl ad y h e w as f or ced t o u nd er go t he w ar ni ng w hi ch

N at ur e g iv es t o al l h er creatu res -- pai n.

O ld m ai ds w ho ha ve n ev er yi el de d i n t he ir h ab it s o f l if e o r i n t he ir

c ha ra ct er s t o o th er l iv es a nd o th er c ha ra ct er s, a s t he f at e o f w om an

e xa ct s, h ave , a s a g ene ra l t hi ng , a m an ia f or m ak ing o th er s g ive w ay

t o t hem. I n M ad em oi sell e G am ar d t hi s s en ti ment h ad d eg en er at ed i nt o

d esp ot is m, b ut a d es po ti sm t hat cou ld o nl y exercis e i ts el f o n l it tl e

t hi ng s. F or i ns tance ( amo ng a h un dr ed o th er examp les ), t he b as ket o f

c ou nt er s p la ce d o n t he c ar d- ta bl e f or t he A bb e B ir ot te au w as t o s ta nd

ex ac tl y w he re s he p la ce d i t; a nd t he a bb e a nn oy ed h er t er ri bl y b y

m ov in g i t, w hi ch h e d id n earl y every eveni ng . H ow i s t hi s

s ens it iv en es s s tu pi dl y s pent o n n ot hi ng s t o b e accou nt ed f or ? w hat i s

t he o bj ec t o f i t? N o o ne c ou ld h av e t ol d i n t hi s c as e; M ad em oi se ll e

G am ar d h er se lf k ne w n o r ea so n f or i t. T he v ic ar , t ho ug h a s he ep b y

na tu re , di d no t l ike , a ny m or e t ha n ot he r s he ep , t o f ee l t he c ro ok t oo

P a g e 2 7



o ft en , esp eciall y w hen i t b ri st led w it h s pi kes. N ot s eeki ng t o exp lain

t o h im self t he p at ience o f t he A bb e T ro ub er t, B ir ot teau s im pl y

withdrew from the happiness which Mademoiselle Gamard believed that

s he s ea so ne d t o h is l ik in g, -- fo r s he r eg ar de d h ap pi ne ss a s a t hi ng t o

be m ad e, l ik e h er p re se rv es . B ut t he l uc kl es s a bb e m ade t he b re ak i n a

c lu ms y w ay , t he n at ur al w ay o f h is o wn n ai ve c ha ra ct er , a nd i t w as n ot

carried out without much nagging and sharp-shooting, which the Abbe

B ir ot te au e nd ea vo re d t o b ea r a s i f h e d id n ot f ee l t he m.

B y t he e nd of t he f ir st y ea r o f h is s oj ou rn u nd er M ad em oi se ll e

G am ar d' s r oo f t he v icar h ad r es um ed h is f or mer h ab it s; s pend in g t wo

eveni ng s a w eek w it h M ad am e d e L is to mere, t hr ee w it h M ad em oi sell e

Salo mo n, and t he o th er t wo w it h M ad em oi sell e M er li n d e l a B lo tt iere.

T hese l ad ies b el on ged t o t he ari st ocrati c cir cl es o f T ou rain ean

s ociety , t o w hi ch M ad em oi sell e G am ar d w as n ot adm it ted. T herefo re t he

abb e' s aband on ment w as t he m or e i ns ul ti ng , b ecau se i t m ad e h er f eel

h er w an t o f s ocial v al ue; all cho ice i mp li es con temp t f or t he t hi ng

rejected.

" Mo ns ieur B ir ot teau d oes n ot f in d u s agr eeab le eno ug h, " s ai d t he A bb e

T ro ub er t t o M ad em oi sell e G am ar d' s f ri en ds w hen s he w as f or ced t o t el l

t he m t ha t he r " ev en in gs " m us t b e g iv en u p. " He i s a m an o f t he w or ld ,

and a g oo d l iv er ! H e w an ts f as hi on , l ux ur y, w it ty con vers at io n, and

t he s ca nd al s o f t he t ow n. "

T hese w or ds o f cou rs e o bl ig ed M ad em oi sel le G am ar d t o d ef en d h er self at

P a g e 2 8



Birotteau's expense.

"He is not much a man of the world," she said. "If it had not been for

t he A bb e C ha pe lo ud h e w ou ld n ev er h av e b ee n r ec ei ve d a t M ad am e d e

L is to me re 's . O h, w ha t d id n' t I l os e i n l os in g t he A bb e C ha pe lo ud ! S uc h

a n a mi abl e ma n, a nd s o e asy to l ive wi th! In t we lve whol e yea rs I

never had the slightest difficulty or disagreement with him."

P res en ted t hu s, t he i nn ocen t abb e w as con si der ed b y t hi s b ou rg eo is

s ociety , w hi ch s ecretl y h at ed t he ari s to cr at ic s ociety , as a m an

e ss en ti al ly e xa ct in g a nd h ar d t o g et a lo ng w it h. F or a w ee k

M ad em oi sell e G am ar d enj oy ed t he p leas ur e o f b ei ng p it ied b y f ri en ds

w ho , w it ho ut r eall y t hi nk in g o ne w or d o f w hat t hey s ai d, k ep t

r ep ea ti ng t o h er : " Ho w C OU LD h e h av e t ur ne d a ga in st y ou ?- -s o k in d a nd

g en tl e as y ou are!" o r, " Co ns ol e y ou rs el f, d ear M ad em oi sell e G am ar d,

y ou a re s o w el l kn ow n t ha t- -" e t c et er a.

Nevertheless, these friends, enchanted to escape one evening a week in

t he C lo is te r, t he d ar ke st , d re ar ie st , a nd m os t o ut o f t he w ay c or ne r

i n T ou rs , b le ss ed t he p oo r v ic ar i n t he ir h ea rt s.

B et ween p er s on s w ho are p er petu al l y i n each o th er 's com pany d is li ke o r

l ov e i nc re as es d ai ly ; e ve ry m om en t b ri ng s r ea so ns t o l ov e o r h at e e ac h

o th er m or e a nd m or e. T he A bb e B ir ot te au s oo n b ec am e i nt ol er ab le t o

M ad em oi sell e G am ar d. E ig ht een m on th s aft er s he h ad t ak en h im t o b oard ,

P a g e 2 9



a nd a t t he m om ent w he n t he w or thy m an w as m is ta ki ng t he s il enc e o f

h at red f or t he p eacefu ln es s o f con tent , and app laud in g h im self f or

h av ing , a s h e s ai d, " ma na ge d m at te rs s o w el l w it h t he o ld m ai d, " he

w as r ea ll y t he o bj ec t o f a n u nd er ha nd p er se cu ti on a nd a v en ge an ce

d el ib er at el y p lann ed . T he f ou r m ar ked cir cu ms tances o f t he l ocked

do or , t he f or go tt en s li pp er s, t he l ac k o f f ir e, a nd t he r em ov al o f t he

can dl es ti ck , w er e t he f ir st s ig ns t hat r ev ealed t o h im a t er ri bl e

en mi ty , t he f in al con sequ en ces o f w hi ch w er e d es ti ned n ot t o s tr ik e

h i m u nt il t he t im e cam e w hen t hey w er e i rr ep ar ab le.

A s h e w en t t o b ed t he w or th y v ic ar w or ke d h is b ra in s- -q ui te u se le ss ly ,

f or he w as s oon a t t he e nd of t he m-- to e xpl ai n t o hi ms el f t he

extraordinarily discourteous conduct of Mademoiselle Gamard. The fact

w as t hat, h av in g all alo ng act ed l og ical ly i n o beyi ng t he n at ur al l aw s

o f h is o wn e go ti sm , i t w as i mp os si bl e t ha t h e s ho ul d no w p er ce iv e hi s

own faults towards his landlady.

T ho ugh t he g re at t hi ngs o f l if e a re s im pl e t o un de rs ta nd a nd e as y t o

exp ress , t he l it tl en es ses r eq ui re a v as t n um ber o f d et ai ls t o exp lain

t he m. T he f or eg oi ng e ve nt s, w hi ch m ay b e c al le d a s or t o f p ro lo gu e t o

t hi s b ou rg eo is d rama, i n w hi ch w e s hall f in d p as si on s as v io lent as

t ho se excit ed b y g reat i nt er es ts , r eq ui red t hi s l on g i nt ro du ct io n; and

i t w ou ld h av e b een d if fi cu lt f or any f ai th fu l h is to ri an t o s ho rt en t he

account of these minute developments.

P a g e 3 0



II

T he n ex t m or ni ng , o n awaki ng , B ir ot teau t ho ug ht s o m uch o f h is

p ro sp ecti ve can on ry t hat h e f or go t t he f ou r cir cu ms tances i n w hi ch h e

h ad s een, t he n ig ht b ef or e, s uch t hr eateni ng p ro gn os ti cs o f a f ut ur e

ful l of mi se ry. The vic ar wa s not a m an t o ge t up wi thout a fi re. He

r an g t o l et Ma ri ann e kno w t ha t h e wa s a wa ke a nd t ha t s he m us t c om e t o

h im ; t hen h e r em ai ned, as h is h ab it w as , abs or bed i n s om no lent

m us in gs . T he s er va nt 's c us to m w as t o m ak e t he f ir e a nd g en tl y d ra w h im

f ro m h is h al f s le ep b y t he m ur mu re d s oun d o f h er m ov em en ts ,- -a s or t o f

mu si c w hi ch h e l ov ed . T went y m in ut es p as sed and M ar iann e h ad n ot

a pp ea re d. T he v ic ar , n ow h al f a c an on , w as a bo ut t o r in g a ga in , w he n

h e l et go t he be ll -pul l, h ea ri ng a m an' s s te p on t he s ta ir ca se . I n a

m in ut e m or e t he A bb e T ro ub er t, aft er d is cr eet ly k no ck in g at t he d oo r,

obeyed Birotteau's invitation and entered the room. This visit, which

t he t wo a bb e' s u su al ly p ai d e ac h o th er o nc e a m on th , w as n o s ur pr is e

t o t he v ic ar . T he c an on a t o nc e e xc la im ed w he n h e s aw t ha t M ar ia nn e

h ad n ot m ad e t he f ir e o f h is q ua si -c ol le ag ue . H e o pe ne d t he w in do w a nd

c al le d t o he r h ar shl y, t el li ng he r t o c om e a t onc e t o t he a bb e; t he n,

turning round to his ecclesiastical brother, he said, "If Mademoiselle

k ne w t ha t y ou h ad n o f ir e s he w ou ld s co ld M ar ia nn e. "

A ft er t hi s s pe ec h h e i nq ui re d a bo ut B ir ot te au 's h ea lt h, a nd a sk ed i n a

ge ntl e voi ce if he had ha d a ny re cent ne ws tha t gave him hope s of hi s

c a no nr y. T he v ic ar e xp la in ed t he s te ps h e h ad t ak en , a nd t ol d,

P a g e 3 1



n ai ve ly, t he n am es o f t he p er so ns w it h w ho m M ad am d e L is to me re w as

using her influence, quite unaware that Troubert had never forgiven

t hat l ad y f or n ot adm it ti ng h im -- th e A bb e T ro ub er t, t wi ce p ro po sed b y

t he b i sh op as v icar- gener al ! -- t o h er h ou s e.

I t w ou ld b e i mp os si bl e t o f in d t wo f ig ur es w hi ch p resent ed s o m an y

c ont ra st s t o e ac h o th er a s t hos e o f t he t wo a bb es . T ro ub er t, t al l a nd

l ea n, w as y el low a nd b il io us , w hi le t he vi ca r w as w ha t w e c al l,

familiarly, plump. Birotteau's face, round and ruddy, proclaimed a

k in dl y n at ur e b ar re n o f i de as , w hi le t ha t o f t he A bb e T ro ub er t, l on g

a nd p lo ug he d b y m an y w ri nk le s, t oo k o n a t t im es a n e xp re ss io n o f

s ar ca sm , o r e ls e o f c on te mp t; b ut i t w as n ec es sa ry t o w at ch h im v er y

cl os el y b ef or e t ho se s ent i ment s cou ld b e d et ect ed. T he cano n' s

habitual condition was perfect calmness, and his eyelids were usually

l ow er ed o ver h is o rang e- co lo red eyes , w hi ch cou ld , h ow ev er , g iv e clear

and p iercin g g lances w hen h e l ik ed . R ed di sh h ai r add ed t o t he g lo om y

eff ect o f t hi s cou nt en an ce, w hi ch w as alw ay s o bs cu red b y t he v ei l

w hi ch d eep m ed it at i on d rew acro ss i ts f eatu res. M an y p er so ns at f ir s t

s ig ht t ho ug ht h im abs or bed i n h ig h and ear nest amb it io ns ; b ut t ho se

w ho claim ed t o k no w h im b et ter d en ied t hat i mp ress io n, i ns is ti ng t hat

h e w as o nl y s tu pi dl y d ul l u nd er M ad em oi sell e G am ar d' s d es po ti sm , o r

e l se w or n o ut b y t oo m uc h f as ti ng . H e s el do m s po ke , a nd n ev er l au gh ed .

W he n i t d id s o h ap pe n t ha t h e f el t a gr ee ab ly m ov ed , a f ee bl e s mi le

wo ul d f li ck er o n h is l ips a nd l os e i ts el f i n t he w ri nk le s of h is f ac e.

B ir ot teau , o n t he o th er h an d, w as all exp an si on , all f rank ness ; h e

P a g e 3 2



l ov ed g oo d t hi ng s and w as amu sed b y t ri fl es w it h t he s im pl icit y o f a

m an w ho k ne w n o s pi te o r m al ic e. T he A bb e T ro ub er t r ou se d, a t f ir st

sight, an involuntary feeling of fear, while the vicar's presence

b ro ugh t a k in dl y s mi le t o t he l ip s o f a ll w ho l ook ed a t h im . W he n t he

t al l can on m ar ch ed w it h s ol em n s tep t hr ou gh t he n av es and clo is ters o f

S ai nt -G at ien, h is h ead b ow ed , h is eye s tern , r esp ect f ol lo wed h im ;

t ha t b en t f ac e w as i n h ar mo ny w it h t he y el lo wi ng a rc he s o f t he

cat hedr al ; t he f ol ds o f h is cas so ck f el l i n m on um en tal l in es t hat w er e

w or t hy o f s tat uary . T he g oo d v icar, o n t he con tr ar y, p er am bu lated

a bou t w it h no g ra vi ty a t a ll . He t ro tt ed a nd a mb le d a nd s ee me d a t

t im es t o r ol l h im se lf a lon g. B ut w it h a ll t hi s t he re wa s on e poi nt of

r esemb lance b et ween t he t wo m en . F or , p recis ely as T ro ub er t 's

am bi ti ou s air , w hi ch m ad e h im f eared, h ad con tr ib ut ed p ro babl y t o k eep

h im d ow n t o t he i ns ig ni fi cant p os it io n o f a m er e can on , s o t he

c ha ra ct er a nd w ay s o f B ir ot te au m ar ke d h im o ut a s p er pe tu al ly t he

v icar o f t he cat hedr al and n ot hi ng h ig her.

Y et t he A bb e T ro ub er t, n ow f if ty y ea rs o f a ge , h ad e nt ir el y r em ov ed ,

p ar tl y b y t he c ir cu ms pe ct io n o f h is c on du ct a nd t he a pp ar en t l ac k o f

all amb it io ns , and p ar tl y b y h is s ai nt ly l if e, t he f ears w hi ch h is

s us pect ed abi li ty and h is p ow er fu l p resence h ad r ou sed i n t he m in ds o f

his superiors. His health having seriously failed him during the last

ye ar , i t s ee me d p rob ab le t ha t he w ou ld s oo n b e r ai se d t o t he of fi ce of

vicar-general of the archbishopric. His competitors themselves desired

t he app oi nt ment , s o t hat t heir o wn p lans m ig ht h av e t im e t o m at ur e

P a g e 3 3



d ur in g t he f ew r em ai ni ng d ay s w hi ch a m al ad y, n ow b ecom e chr on ic,

m ig ht all ow h im . F ar f ro m o ff er in g t he s am e h op es t o r iv al s,

B ir ot teau 's t ri pl e chi n s ho wed t o all w ho w an ted h is cov et ed can on ry

a n e vi de nc e o f t he s ou nd es t h ea lt h; e ve n h is g out s ee me d t o t he m, i n

accor dance w it h t he p ro ver b, an ass ur an ce o f l on gevi ty .

T he A bb e C ha pe lo ud , a m an o f g re at g oo d s en se , w ho se a mi ab il it y h ad

ma de t he l ea de rs of t he di oc es e a nd t he me mb er s o f t he be st s oc ie ty i n

T ou rs s eek h is com pany , h ad s tead il y o pp os ed , t ho ug h s ecr et ly and w it h

m uch j ud gm en t, t he elevati on o f t he A bb e T ro ub er t. H e h ad even

a dr oi tl y m an ag ed t o p re ve nt h is a cc es s t o t he s al on s o f t he b es t

society. Nevertheless, during Chapeloud's lifetime Troubert treated

hi m i nv ar iabl y w it h g reat r es pect , and s ho wed h im o n all o ccas io ns t he

utmost deference. This constant submission did not, however, change

t he o pi ni on o f t he l at e c an on , w ho s ai d t o B ir ot te au d ur in g t he l as t

w al k t he y t oo k t og et he r: " Di st ru st t ha t l ea n s ti ck o f a T ro ub er t, --

S ix tu s t he F if th r ed uced t o t he l im it s o f a b is ho pr ic!"

S uch w as t he f ri en d, t he abi di ng g uest o f M ad em oi sell e G am ar d, w ho n ow

c am e, t he m or ni ng a ft er t he ol d m ai d ha d, a s i t we re , d ec la re d wa r

a ga in st t he p oo r v ic ar , t o p ay h is b ro th er a v is it a nd s ho w h im m ar ks

of friendship.

" Yo u m us t e xc us e M ar ia nn e, " s ai d t he c an on , a s t he w om an e nt er ed . " I

s up po se s he w en t f ir st t o my r oom s. Th ey a re v er y d am p, a nd I c ough ed

all n ig ht . Y ou are m os t h ealt hi ly s it uated h er e, " h e add ed , l oo ki ng u p

P a g e 3 4



a t t he c or ni ce .

" Yes; I am l od ged l ik e a can on ," r ep li ed B ir ot teau .

" An d I l ik e a v ic ar ," s ai d t he o th er , hu mb ly.

" Bu t y ou w il l s oo n b e s et tl ed i n t he a rc hb is ho p' s p al ac e, " s ai d t he

k in dl y v icar , w ho w an ted every bo dy t o b e h ap py .

" Ye s, o r i n t he c em et er y, b ut G od 's w il l b e d on e! " a nd T ro ub er t r ai se d

h is e ye s t o h ea ve n r es ig ne dl y. " I c am e, " h e s ai d, " to a sk y ou t o l en d

m e t he ' Re gis te r of Bi shops .' You a re t he onl y ma n i n Tour s I kn ow wh o

h as a c opy ."

" Take i t o ut o f m y l ib rary ," r ep li ed B ir ot teau , r em in ded b y t he

c an on 's w or ds o f t he g re at es t h ap pi ne ss o f h is l if e.

T he c an on p as se d i nt o t he l ib ra ry a nd s ta ye d t he re w hi le t he v ic ar

d ress ed. P resent ly t he b reak fast b el l r ang , and t he g ou ty v icar

r ef le ct ed t ha t i f i t h ad n ot b ee n f or T ro ub er t' s v is it h e w ou ld h av e

h ad n o f ir e t o d re ss by . " He 's a ki nd ma n," t hought he .

T he t wo p ri es ts w en t d ow ns ta ir s t og et he r, e ac h a rm ed w it h a h ug e f ol io

w hi ch t he y l ai d o n o ne of t he s id e t abl es i n t he di ni ng -r oom .

P a g e 3 5



" Wh at 's all t hat?" ask ed M ad em oi sell e G am ar d, i n a s harp v oi ce,

a dd re ss in g B ir ot te au . " I h op e y ou a re n ot g oi ng t o l it te r u p m y

dining-room with your old books!"

" Th ey are b oo ks I w an ted, " r ep li ed t he A bb e T ro ub er t. " Mo ns ieur

B ir ot te au h as b ee n k in d e nou gh t o l en d t he m t o m e. "

" I m ig ht h av e g uess ed i t, " s he s ai d, w it h a con temp tu ou s s mi le.

"M on si eu r B ir ot teau d oes n' t o ft en r ead b oo ks o f t hat s ize. "

"How are you, mademoiselle?" said the vicar, in a mellifluous voice.

" No t v er y w el l, " s he r epl ie d, s hor tl y. " You w ok e m e u p l as t n ig ht o ut

of my fi rs t s lee p, a nd I was wa ke ful f or t he re st of t he ni ght. " The n,

sitting down, she added, "Gentlemen, the milk is getting cold."

Stupefied at being so ill-naturedly received by his landlady, from

w ho m h e h al f exp ected an apo lo gy , and y et alarm ed , l ik e all t im id

pe op le a t t he p ro sp ec t o f a d is cu ss io n, e sp ec ia ll y i f i t r el at es t o

t hems el ves, t he p oo r v icar t oo k h is s eat i n s il en ce. T hen, o bs er vi ng

i n M ad em oi sell e G am ar d' s f ace t he v is ib le s ig ns o f i ll -h um ou r, h e w as

g oa de d i nt o a s tr ug gl e b et we en h is r ea so n, w hi ch t ol d h im t ha t h e

o ug ht no t t o s ubm it t o s uc h d is cou rt es y f ro m a l an dl ady , a nd h is

natu ral charact er , w hi ch p ro mp ted h im t o avo id a q uarr el .

Torn by this inward misery, Birotteau fell to examining attentively

P a g e 3 6



th e b ro ad g reen l in es p ai nt ed o n t he o il cl ot h w hi ch , f ro m cus to m

immemorial, Mademoiselle Gamard left on the table at breakfast-time,

w it ho ut r eg ar d t o t he r ag ge d e dg es o r t he v ar io us s ca rs d is pl ay ed o n

i ts s ur fa ce . T he p ri es ts s at o pp os it e t o e ac h o th er i n c an e- se at ed

a rm -c ha ir s o n e it he r s id e o f t he s qu ar e t ab le , t he h ea d o f w hi ch w as

t a ke n b y t he l an dl ad y, w ho s ee me d t o d om in at e t he w ho le f ro m a h ig h

chair r ai sed o n cas ters , f il led w it h cus hi on s, and s tand in g v er y n ear

t o t he d in in g- ro om s to ve . T hi s r oo m a nd t he s al on w er e o n t he g ro un d-

f lo or b en ea th t he s al on a nd b ed ro om o f t he A bb e B ir ot te au .

W he n t he v ic ar h ad r ec ei ve d h is c up o f c of fe e, d ul y s ug ar ed , f ro m

M ad em oi sell e G am ar d, h e f el t chi ll ed t o t he b on e at t he g ri m s il en ce

i n w hi ch he w as f or ce d t o p ro ce ed w it h t he u sua ll y ga y f un ct io n o f

b re ak fa st . H e d ar ed n ot l oo k a t T ro ub er t' s d ri ed -u p f ea tu re s, n or a t

t he t hr ea te ni ng v is ag e o f t he o ld m ai d; a nd h e t he re fo re t ur ne d, t o

k eep h im self i n cou nt en an ce, t o t he p leth or ic p ug w hi ch w as l yi ng o n a

cus hi on n ear t he s to ve,- -a p os it io n t hat v icti m o f o besi ty s el do m

q ui tt ed , h av in g a l it tl e p late o f d ai nt ies alw ay s at h is l ef t s id e,

an d a b owl o f f re sh w at er a t h is r ight .

" Well , m y p rett y, " s ai d t he v icar , " ar e y ou w ai ti ng f or y ou r cof fee?"

T he p er so na ge t hu s a dd re ss ed , o ne o f t he m os t i mp or ta nt i n t he

h ou seho ld , t ho ug h t he l east t ro ub leso me i nasm uch as h e h ad ceased t o

b ar k and l ef t t he t al ki ng t o h is m is tr es s, t ur ned h is l it tl e eyes,

P a g e 3 7



s un k i n r ol ls o f f at , u po n B ir ot teau . T hen h e clo sed t hem p eevi sh ly .

T o e xp la in t he m is er y o f t he p oor v ic ar i t s ho ul d b e s ai d t ha t b ei ng

end ow ed b y n at ur e w it h an emp ty and s on or ou s l oq uaci ty , l ik e t he

r es ou nd in g o f a f oo tb al l, h e w as i n t he h ab it o f ass er ti ng , w it ho ut

any m ed ical r easo n t o b ack h im , t hat s peech f av or ed d ig es ti on .

Mademoiselle Gamard, who believed in this hygienic doctrine, had not

as y et r ef rain ed , i n s pi te o f t heir coo ln es s, f ro m t al ki ng at m eals ;

t ho ug h, f or t he l as t f ew m or ni ng s, t he v ic ar h ad b ee n f or ce d t o s tr ai n

h is m in d t o f in d b eg ui li ng t op ics o n w hi ch t o l oo sen h er t on gu e. I f

t he n ar ro w l im it s o f t hi s h is to ry p er mi tt ed u s t o r ep or t e ve n o ne o f

th e con vers at io ns w hi ch o ft en b ro ug ht a b it ter and s ar cast ic s mi le t o

t h e l ip s o f t he A bb e T ro ub er t, i t w oul d o ff er a f in is he d p ic tu re o f

t he B oeot ian l if e o f t he p ro vi nces . T he s in gu lar r ev el at io ns o f t he

Abbe Birotteau and Mademoiselle Gamard relating to their personal

opinions on politics, religion, and literature would delight observing

m in ds . I t w ou ld b e h ig hl y ent er tain in g t o t rans cr ib e t he r easo ns o n

w hi ch t he y m ut ua ll y d ou bt ed t he d ea th o f N ap ol eo n i n 1 82 0, o r t he

conjectures by which they mutually believed that the Dauphin was

l iv in g, -- rescued f ro m t he T em pl e i n t he h ol lo w o f a h ug e l og o f w oo d.

W h o c ou ld h av e h el pe d l au gh in g t o h ea r t he m a ss er t a nd p ro ve , b y

r easo ns evi dent ly t heir o wn , t hat t he K in g o f F rance alo ne i mp os ed t he

t a xe s, t ha t t he C ha mb er s w er e c on vo ke d t o d es tr oy t he c le rg y, t ha t

t hi rt een h un dr ed t ho us an d p er so ns h ad p er is hed o n t he s caff ol d d ur in g

the Revolution? They frequently discussed the press, without either of

t hem h av in g t he f ai nt es t i dea o f w hat t hat m od er n eng in e r eall y w as .

Monsieur Birotteau listened with acceptance to Mademoiselle Gamard

P a g e 3 8



whe n s he told him tha t a ma n who a te an egg e ver y morning woul d die in

a y ea r, a nd t ha t f ac ts pr ove d i t; t ha t a r ol l o f l ight b re ad e at en

w it ho ut d ri nk in g f or s ev er al d ay s t og et her w ou ld cur e s ci at ica; t hat

all t he w or km en w ho ass is ted i n p ul li ng d ow n t he A bb ey S ai nt -M ar ti n

h a d d ie d i n s ix m on th s; t ha t a c er ta in p re fe ct , u nd er o rd er s f ro m

B on ap ar te , h ad d on e h is b es t t o d am ag e t he t ow er s o f S ai nt -G at ie n, --

w it h a h un dr ed o th er a bs ur d t al es .

B ut o n t hi s o cc as io n p oo r B ir ot te au f el t h e w as t on gu e- ti ed , a nd h e

resigned himself to eat a meal without engaging in conversation. After

a w hi le, h ow ev er , t he t ho ug ht cro ss ed h is m in d t hat s il en ce w as

d an gero us f or h is d ig es ti on , and h e b ol dl y r em ar ked, " Th is cof fee i s

excellent."

T ha t a ct o f c ou ra ge w as c om pl et el y w as te d. T he n, a ft er l oo ki ng a t t he

s cr ap o f s ky v is ib le a bo ve t he g ar de n b et we en t he t wo b ut tr es se s o f

S ai nt -G at ien, t he v icar again s um mo ned n er ve t o s ay , " It w il l b e f in er

w eath er t o- day t han i t w as y es t er day. "

A t t ha t r em ar k M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d c as t h er m os t g ra ci ou s l oo k o n t he

A bb e T ro ub er t, and i mm ed iately t ur ned h er eyes w it h t er ri bl e s ev er it y

o n B ir ot teau , w ho f or tu nately b y t hat t im e w as l oo ki ng o n h is p late.

No creature of the feminine gender was ever more capable of presenting

t o t he m ind t he e le ga ic n at ur e o f a n o ld m ai d t ha n M ade mo is el le S op hi e

P a g e 3 9



G a ma rd . I n o rd er t o d es cr ib e a b ei ng w ho se c ha ra ct er g iv es a m om en to us

i nt er es t t o t he p et ty e ve nt s o f t he p re se nt d ra ma a nd t o t he a nt er io r

li ve s of the a ct or s i n i t, it ma y be use ful t o give a s umma ry of the

i deas w hi ch f in d exp ress io n i n t he b ei ng o f an O ld M ai d, -- rememb er in g

al wa ys t ha t t he h abi ts o f l if e f or m t he s ou l, a nd t he s ou l f or ms t he

physical presence.

Th oug h a ll t hi ng s i n s oc ie ty a s we ll a s i n t he u ni ve rs e a re s ai d t o

ha ve a p ur po se , t he re d o e xi st h er e b el ow c er ta in b ei ng s w ho se p ur po se

and utility seem inexplicable. Moral philosophy and political economy

both condemn the individual who consumes without producing; who fills

a pl ac e on t he e ar th but does not she d upon it ei ther good or e vil ,--

fo r e vi l i s s om et im es go od t he m ea ni ng of w hi ch i s n ot a t o nc e m ad e

m ani fe st . I t i s s el dom t ha t o ld m ai ds o f t he ir o wn m ot io n e nt er t he

r ank s o f t hese u np ro du ct iv e b ei ng s. N ow , i f t he con scio us ness o f w or k

do ne g iv es t o t he w or ke rs a s en se o f s at is fa ct io n w hi ch h el ps t he m t o

s up po rt l if e, t he cer tain ty o f b ei ng a u seless b ur den m us t, o ne w ou ld

t hi nk , p ro du ce a con tr ar y eff ect, and f il l t he m in ds o f s uch f ru it less

b ei ng s w it h t he s am e con temp t f or t hems el ves w hi ch t hey i ns pi re i n

o th er s. T hi s h ar sh s oc ia l r ep ro ba ti on i s o ne o f t he c au se s w hi ch

c on tr ibu te t o f il l t he s ou ls o f o ld m ai ds w it h t he d is tr es s t ha t

a pp ea rs i n t he ir f ac es . P re ju di ce , i n w hi ch t he re i s t ru th , d oe s c as t,

t hr ou gh ou t t he w or ld b ut esp eciall y i n F rance, a g reat s ti gm a o n t he

w om an w it h w ho m n o m an h as b ee n w il li ng t o s ha re t he bl es si ng s or

e nd ur e t he i ll s of l if e. N ow , t he re c om es t o a ll u nm ar ri ed w om en a

p er io d w he n t he w or ld , b e i t r ig ht o r w ro ng , c on de mn s t he m o n t he f ac t

P a g e 4 0



o f t hi s c on te mp t, t hi s r ej ec ti on . I f t he y a re u gl y, t he g oo dn es s o f

t heir charact er s o ug ht t o h av e com pens at ed f or t heir n at ur al

i m perf ecti on s; i f, o n t he con tr ar y, t hey are h an ds om e, t hat f act

ar gu es t hat t heir m is fo rt un e h as s om e s er io us cau se. I t i s i mp os si bl e

t o s ay w hi ch o f t he t wo c la ss es i s m os t d es er vi ng o f r ej ec ti on . I f, o n

t he o th er h an d, t he ir c el ib ac y i s d el ib er at e, i f i t p ro ce ed s f ro m a

desire for independence, neither men nor mothers will forgive their

disloyalty to womanly devotion, evidenced in their refusal to feed

t ho se p as si on s w hi ch r en der t heir s ex s o aff ecti ng . T o r en ou nce t he

pa ngs of w om an ho od i s t o a bj ur e i ts po et ry a nd c ea se t o m er it t he

consolations to which mothers have inalienable rights.

M or eo ver, t he g en er ou s s en ti ment s, t he exq ui si te q uali ti es o f a w om an

will not develop unless by constant exercise. By remaining unmarried,

a c re at ur e o f t he f em al e s ex b ec om es v oi d of m ea ni ng ; s el fi sh a nd

col d, s he creat es r ep ul si on . T hi s i mp lacabl e j ud gm en t o f t he w or ld i s

u nf or tu nately t oo j us t t o l eave o ld m ai ds i n i gn or an ce o f i ts cau ses.

S uc h i de as s ho ot u p i n t he ir h ea rt s a s n at ur al ly a s t he e ff ec ts o f

t heir s ad dened l iv es app ear u po n t heir f eatu res. C on sequ en tl y t hey

w it her, b ecau se t he con st an t exp ress io n o f h ap pi ness w hi ch b lo om s o n

t he f ac es of ot he r wom en a nd g ive s s o s of t a gr ac e t o t he ir mo ve me nt s

h as n ev er e xi st ed f or t he m. T he y g ro w s ha rp a nd p ee vi sh b ec au se a ll

h um an b ei ng s w ho m is s t heir v ocat io n are u nh ap py ; t hey s uf fer, and

s uf feri ng g iv es b ir th t o t he b it tern es s o f i ll -w il l. I n f act, b ef or e

a n o ld m ai d b la me s h er se lf f or h er i so la ti on s he b la me s o th er s, a nd

P a g e 4 1



t he re i s b ut o ne s te p b et we en r ep ro ac h a nd t he d es ir e f or r ev en ge .

B ut m or e t ha n t hi s, t he i ll gr ac e a nd w an t of c ha rm no ti ce ab le i n

t hese w om en are t he n eces sary r es ul t o f t heir l iv es . N ev er h av in g f el t

a d es ir e t o p le as e, e le ga nc e a nd t he r ef in em en ts o f g oo d t as te a re

foreign to them. They see only themselves in themselves. This instinct

b ri ng s t hem, u ncon scio us ly , t o cho os e t he t hi ng s t hat are m os t

con veni en t t o t hems el ves, at t he s acri fi ce o f t ho se w hi ch m ig ht b e

mo re agr eeab le t o o th er s. W it ho ut r en deri ng accou nt t o t heir o wn m in ds

o f t he d if ference b et ween t hems el ves and o th er w om en , t hey end b y

feeling that difference and suffering under it. Jealousy is an

i nd el ib le s en ti ment i n t he f em al e b reas t. A n o ld m ai d' s s ou l i s

je al ou s a nd y et v oi d; f or s he k no ws b ut o ne s id e- -t he m is er ab le s id e- -

o f t he o nl y p as si on m en w il l all ow ( becaus e i t f latt er s t hem) t o

w om en . T hu s t hw ar ted i n all t heir h op es , f or ced t o d en y t hems el ves t he

n at ur al d ev el op ment o f t heir n at ur es , o ld m ai ds end ur e an i nw ar d

t or me nt t o w hi ch t he y n ev er g ro w a cc us to me d. I t i s h ar d a t a ny a ge ,

a bov e a ll f or a w oma n, t o s ee a f ee lin g of r epul si on on t he f ac es o f

o the rs , w he n he r t rue de st in y i s t o mo ve a ll h ea rt s a bou t he r t o

e mo ti on s o f g ra ce a nd l ov e. O ne r es ul t o f t hi s i nw ar d t ro ub le i s t ha t

an o ld m ai d' s g lance i s alw ay s o bl iq ue, l es s f ro m m od es ty t han f ro m

fear and s hame. S uch b ei ng s n ev er f or gi ve s ociety f or t heir f al se

position because they never forgive themselves for it.

Now it is impossible for a woman who is perpetually at war with

h er self and l iv in g i n con tr ad icti on t o h er t ru e l if e, t o l eave o th er s

P a g e 4 2



i n p eace o r r ef rain f ro m env yi ng t heir h ap pi nes. T he w ho le r an ge o f

th es e s ad t ru th s c ou ld b e r ea d i n t he d ul le d g ra y e ye s o f M ad em oi se ll e

G am ar d; t he d ar k c ir cl es t ha t s ur ro un de d t ho se e ye s t ol d o f t he i nw ar d

con fl icts o f h er s ol it ar y l if e. A ll t he w ri nk les o n h er f ace w er e i n

s tr ai gh t l in es . T he s tr uc tu re o f h er f or eh ea d a nd c he ek s w as r ig id a nd

prominent. She allowed, with apparent indifference, certain scattered

h a ir s, o nc e b ro wn , t o g ro w u po n h er c hi n. H er t hi n l ip s s ca rc el y

cov er ed t eeth t hat w er e t oo l on g, t ho ug h s ti ll q ui te w hi te. H er

co mp lexi on w as d ar k, and h er h ai r, o ri gi nall y b lack , h ad t ur ned g ray

from frightful headaches,--a misfortune which obliged her to wear a

f al se f ron t. N ot k now in g how t o pu t i t on s o a s t o c onc ea l t he

j un ct io n b et we en t he r ea l a nd t he f al se , t he re w er e o ft en l it tl e g ap s

b et we en t he b or de r o f h er c ap a nd t he b la ck s tr in g w it h w hi ch t hi s

s em i- wi g ( al wa ys b ad ly c ur le d) w as f as te ne d t o h er h ea d. H er g ow n,

s il k i n s um mer, m er in o i n w in ter, and alw ay s b ro wn i n col or , w as

i nv ar iabl y r at her t ig ht f or h er ang ul ar f ig ur e and t hi n arm s. H er

c ol la r, l im p a nd be nt , e xpos ed t oo mu ch t he r ed s ki n of a ne ck w hi ch

w as r ib be d l ik e a n o ak- le af i n w in te r s ee n i n t he l ig ht . H er o ri gi n

e xp la in s t o s om e e xt en t t he d ef ec ts o f h er c on fo rm at io n. S he w as t he

da ug ht er o f a w oo d- me rc ha nt , a p ea sa nt , w ho h ad r is en f ro m t he r an ks .

S h e m ig ht h av e b ee n p lu mp a t e ig ht ee n, b ut n o t ra ce r em ai ne d o f t he

f ai r c om pl ex io n a nd p re tt y c ol or o f w hi ch s he w as w on t t o b oa st . T he

t on es o f h er f le sh h ad t ak en t he p al li d t in ts s o o ft en s ee n i n

"devotes." Her aquiline nose was the feature that chiefly proclaimed

t he d es po ti sm o f h er n at ur e, a nd t he f la t s ha pe o f h er f or eh ea d t he

P a g e 4 3



n ar ro wn es s o f h er m in d. H er m ov em en ts h ad an o dd abr up tn es s w hi ch

p recl ud ed all g race; t he m er e m ot io n w it h w hi ch s he t wi tched h er

h a nd ke rc hi ef f ro m h er b ag a nd b le w h er n os e w it h a l ou d n oi se w ou ld

h av e s ho wn h er c ha ra ct er a nd h ab it s t o a k ee n o bs er ve r. B ei ng r at he r

t a ll , s he h el d h er se lf v er y e re ct , a nd j us ti fi ed t he r em ar k o f a

n at ur al is t w ho o nce exp lain ed t he p ecul iar g ai t o f o ld m ai ds b y

d eclari ng t hat t heir j oi nt s w er e con so li dati ng . W hen s he w al ked h er

m ov em en ts w er e n ot equ al ly d is tr ib ut ed o ver h er w ho le p er so n, as t hey

are i n o th er w om en , p ro du ci ng t ho se g racefu l u nd ul at io ns w hi ch are s o

a tt ra ct iv e. S he m ov ed , s o t o s pe ak , i n a s in gl e b lo ck , s ee mi ng t o

a dv an ce a t e ac h s te p l ik e t he s ta tu e o f t he C om me nd at or e. W he n s he

f el t i n good humour s he wa s a pt , li ke ot he r ol d ma ids , t o t el l of t he

ch an ce s s he h ad h ad t o m ar ry , a nd o f h er f or tu na te d is co ve ry i n t im e

o f t he w an t o f m eans o f h er l ov er s, -- pr ov in g, u ncon scio us ly , t hat h er

w or ld ly j ud gm en t w as b et ter t han h er h eart .

T hi s t yp ic al f igu re of t he g enu s O ld M ai d w as we ll f ra me d b y t he

grotesque designs, representing Turkish landscapes, on a varnished

p ap er w hi ch d ecor at ed t he w al ls o f t he d in in g- ro om . M ad em oi sell e

G am ar d u su al ly s at i n t hi s r oo m, w hi ch b oa st ed o f t wo p ie r t ab le s a nd

a b ar om et er . B ef or e t he c ha ir o f e ac h a bb e w as a l it tl e c us hi on

co ve re d w it h w or st ed w or k, t he c ol or s o f w hi ch w er e f ad ed . T he s al on

i n w hi ch s he r ec ei ve d c om pa ny w as w or thy o f i ts m is tr es s. I t w il l be

visible to the eye at onc e when we sta te that it went by the name of

the "yellow salon." The curtains were yellow, the furniture and walls

yell ow ; o n t he m an telp iece, s ur mo un ted b y a m ir ro r i n a g il t f rame,

P a g e 4 4



t he c an dl es ti ck s a nd a c lo ck a ll o f c ry st al s tr uc k t he e ye w it h s ha rp

b r il li an cy . A s t o t he p ri vate apart ment o f M ad em oi sell e G am ar d, n o o ne

h ad e ve r b ee n p er mi tt ed t o l oo k i nt o i t. C on je ct ur e a lo ne s ug ge st ed

t ha t i t w as f ul l o f o dd s a nd e nd s, w or n- ou t f ur ni tu re , a nd b it s o f

s tuf f a nd pi ec es de ar t o t he he ar ts o f a ll ol d m ai ds .

S uc h w as t he w om an d es ti ne d t o e xe rt a v as t i nf lu en ce o n t he l as t

y ea rs o f t he A bb e B ir ot te au .

F or w an t o f exercis in g i n n at ur e' s o wn w ay t he act iv it y b es to wed u po n

w om en , a nd y et i mp el le d t o s pe nd i t i n s om e w ay o r o th er , M ad em oi se ll e

G am ar d h ad acq ui red t he h ab it o f u si ng i t i n p et ty i nt ri gu es ,

provincial cabals, and those self-seeking schemes which occupy, sooner

o r l at er , t he l iv es o f all o ld m ai ds . B ir ot teau , u nh ap pi ly , h ad

d ev el op ed i n S op hi e G am ar d t he o nl y s en ti ment s w hi ch i t w as p os si bl e

f o r t ha t p oo r c re at ur e t o f ee l, -- th os e o f h at re d; a p as si on h it he rt o

latent under the calmness and monotony of provincial life, but which

wa s n ow t o b ec om e t he m or e i nt ens e b ec au se i t w as s pe nt o n p et ty

t hi ng s a nd i n t he m id st o f a n ar ro w s ph er e. B ir ot te au w as o ne o f t ho se

b ei ng s w ho a re p re de st in ed t o s uf fe r b ec au se , b ei ng u na bl e t o s ee

t hi ng s, t hey can no t avo id t hem; t o t hem t he w or st h ap pens .

" Ye s, i t wi ll b e a f ine d ay," r epl ie d t he c anon, a ft er a pa us e,

ap parent ly i ss ui ng f ro m a r ev er y and w is hi ng t o con fo rm t o t he r ul es

of politeness.

P a g e 4 5



B ir ot teau , f ri gh tened at t he l en gt h o f t im e w hi ch h ad elaps ed b et ween

t he q ue st io n a nd t he a ns we r, -- fo r h e h ad , f or t he f ir st t im e i n h is

l if e, t ak en h is cof fee w it ho ut u tt er in g a w or d, -- no w l ef t t he d in in g-

r oom whe re hi s he ar t w as s que ez ed a s i f i n a vi se . Fe el ing tha t the

c of fe e l ay he avy on hi s s tom ac h, h e we nt t o wa lk i n a sa d mood a mong

t he n ar ro w, b ox -edg ed g ar den p at hs w hi ch o ut li ned a s tar i n t he l it tl e

g ar den. A s h e t ur ned aft er m ak in g t he f ir st r ou nd , h e s aw M ad em oi sell e

G am ar d and t he A bb e T ro ub er t s tand in g s to ck -s ti ll and s il en t o n t he

t hr es ho ld o f t he d oo r, -- he w it h h is a rm s f ol de d a nd m ot io nl es s l ik e a

s ta tu e o n a t om b; s he l ea ni ng a ga in st t he b li nd d oo r. B ot h s ee me d t o

b e g azin g at h im and cou nt in g h is s teps . N ot hi ng i s s o emb ar rass in g t o

a c re at ur e n at ur al ly t im id a s t o f ee l i ts el f t he o bj ec t o f a c lo se

e xa mi na ti on, a nd i f t ha t is ma de by t he e ye s of ha tr ed, t he s or t of

suffering it causes is changed into intolerable martyrdom.

Presently Birotteau fancied he was preventing Mademoiselle Gamard and

t he abb e f ro m w al ki ng i n t he n ar ro w p at h. T hat i dea, i ns pi red equ al ly

by f ea r a nd k ind ne ss , b ec ame s o s tr ong t ha t he l ef t t he ga rde n a nd

w en t t o t he c hu rc h, t hi nk in g n o l on ge r o f h is c an on ry , s o a bs or be d w as

h e b y t he d is hear teni ng t yr an ny o f t he o ld m ai d. L ucki ly f or h im h e

h ap pened t o f in d m uch t o d o at S ai nt -G at ien, -- several f un er als , a

m ar ri ag e, and t wo b ap ti sm s. T hu s emp lo yed h e f or go t h is g ri ef s. W hen

h is s to ma ch t ol d h im t ha t d in ne r w as r ea dy h e d re w o ut h is w at ch a nd

s aw , n ot w it ho ut alarm , t hat i t w as s om e m in ut es aft er f ou r. B ei ng

w el l aware o f M ad em oi sell e G am ar d' s p un ct uali ty , h e h ur ri ed b ack t o

P a g e 4 6



t h e h ou se.

He s aw a t on ce o n pa ss ing t he k it che n doo r t ha t t he f ir st c our se ha d

b ee n r em ov ed . W he n h e r ea ch ed t he d in in g- ro om t he o ld m ai d s ai d, w it h

a t one of voi ce i n whi ch we re mi ngl ed s our re buke a nd joy a t be ing

abl e t o b lame h im :- -

" It i s h al f- pa st f ou r, M on si eu r B ir ot te au . Y ou k no w w e a re n ot t o w ai t

for you."

The v ic ar l ook ed a t t he c loc k i n t he d ini ng- room , a nd s aw a t on ce , by

t he w ay t he g au ze w hi ch p ro te ct ed i t f ro m d us t h ad b ee n m ov ed , t ha t

hi s l andl ady ha d op ene d t he f ac e of th e di al a nd s et t he ha nds i n

a dv an ce of t he c loc k o f t he c at he dr al . H e c ou ld m ak e n o r em ar k. H ad h e

u t t er ed h is s us pi ci on i t w ou ld o nl y h av e cau sed and app ar en tl y

j us ti fi ed o ne o f t ho se f ierce and elo qu en t exp os it io ns t o w hi ch

M ad em oi sell e G am ar d, l ik e o th er w om en o f h er class , k new v er y w el l h ow

t o g iv e v en t i n p ar ti cu lar cas es . T he t ho us an d and o ne ann oy an ces

w hi ch a s er va nt w il l s om et im es m ak e h er m as te r b ea r, o r a w om an h er

husband, were instinctively divined by Mademoiselle Gamard and used

u po n B ir ot teau . T he w ay i n w hi ch s he d el ig ht ed i n p lo tt in g again st t he

p oo r v ic ar 's d om es ti c c om fo rt b or e a ll t he m ar ks o f w ha t w e m us t c al l

a p ro fo un dl y m al ig nant g en iu s. Y et s he s o m an ag ed t hat s he w as n ev er ,

so far a s e ye c ould s ee , i n the wrong.

P a g e 4 7



III

E ig ht d ay s a ft er t he d at e o n w hi ch t hi s hi st or y b eg an , t he n ew

ar rang em en ts o f t he h ou seho ld and t he r el at io ns w hi ch g rew u p b et ween

t he A bb e B ir ot teau and M ad em oi sell e G am ar d r ev ealed t o t he f or mer t he

e xi st en ce o f a pl ot w hi ch h ad b ee n h at chi ng f or t he l as t s ix m ont hs .

A s l on g a s t he o ld m ai d e xe rc is ed h er v en ge an ce i n a n u nd er ha nd w ay ,

a nd t he vi ca r w as a bl e t o s hut hi s e ye s t o i t a nd r ef us e t o be li eve i n

her malevolent intentions, the moral effect upon him was slight. But

s in ce t he aff ai r o f t he can dl es ti ck and t he alt er ed clo ck , B ir ot teau

w ou ld d ou bt n o l on ge r t ha t h e w as u nd er a n e ye o f h at re d t ur ne d f ul ly

u po n h im . F ro m t hat m om en t h e f el l i nt o d es pair , s eein g every wh er e t he

s ki nn y, clawl ik e f in gers o f M ad em oi sell e G am ar d r eady t o h oo k i nt o h is

h ea rt . T he o ld m ai d, ha pp y i n a s en ti me nt a s f ru it ful of e mo ti on s a s

t ha t o f v en ge an ce , e nj oy ed c ir cl in g a nd s wo op in g a bo ve t he v ic ar a s a

b ir d o f p re y h ov er s a nd s wo op s a bo ve a f ie ld -m ou se b ef or e p ou nc in g

do wn u po n i t a nd de vo ur in g i t. S he ha d l on g s in ce l ai d a p la n w hi ch

t he p oo r d um bf ou nd ed p ri es t w as q ui te i ncap ab le o f i magi ni ng , and

w h ich s he n ow p ro ceed ed t o u nf ol d w it h t hat g en iu s f or l it tl e t hi ng s

o ft en s ho wn b y s ol it ar y p er so ns , w ho se s ou ls , i ncap ab le o f f eeli ng t he

g rand eu r o f t ru e p iety , f li ng t hems el ves i nt o t he d et ai ls o f o ut ward

devotion.

The petty nature of his troubles prevented Birotteau, always effusive

P a g e 4 8



an d l ik in g t o b e p it ied and con so led, f ro m enj oy in g t he s oo th in g

p l easu re o f t ak in g h is f ri en ds i nt o h is con fi dence, -- a l as t b ut cru el

agg ravati on o f h is m is er y. T he l it tl e amo un t o f t act w hi ch h e d er iv ed

from his timidity made him fear to seem ridiculous in concerning

h im self w it h s uch p et ti ness . A nd y et t ho se p et ty t hi ng s m ad e u p t he

sum of his existence,--that cherished existence, full of busyness

abo ut n ot hi ng s, and o f n ot hi ng ness i n i ts b us in es s; a col or less b ar ren

l if e i n w hi ch s tr on g f eeli ng s w er e m is fo rt un es , and t he abs en ce o f

e mo ti on h ap pi ne ss . T he p oo r p ri es t' s p ar ad is e w as c ha ng ed , i n a

moment, into hell. His sufferings became intolerable. The terror he

f el t at t he p ro sp ect o f a d is cu ss io n w it h M ad em oi sell e G am ar d

i ncreas ed d ay b y d ay ; t he s ecret d is tr es s w hi ch b li gh ted h is l if e

b ega n t o i nj ur e h is h ea lt h. O ne m or ni ng , a s h e pu t o n hi s m ot tl ed b lu e

s to ck in gs , h e n ot iced a m ar ked d im un it io n i n t he cir cu mf er en ce o f h is

c al ve s. H or ri fi ed b y s o c ru el a nd u nd en ia bl e a s ym pt om , h e r es ol ve d t o

ma ke a n e ff or t a nd a pp ea l t o t he A bb e T ro ub er t, r eq ue st in g h im t o

intervene, officially, between Mademoiselle Gamard and himself.

W hen h e f ou nd h im self i n p resence o f t he i mp os in g can on , w ho , i n o rd er

t o r ec ei ve h is v is it or i n a b ar e a nd c he er le ss r oo m, h ad h as ti ly

q ui tt ed a s tu dy f ul l o f p ap er s, w he re h e w or ke d i nc es sa nt ly , a nd w he re

no o ne w as e ve r a dm it te d, t he v ic ar f el t h al f a sh am ed a t s pe ak in g o f

M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d' s p ro vo ca ti on s t o a m an w ho a pp ea re d t o b e s o

g ravely o ccup ied. B ut aft er g oi ng t hr ou gh t he ago ny o f t he m en tal

deliberations which all humble, undecided, and feeble persons endure

P a g e 4 9



abo ut t hi ng s o f even n o i mp or tance, h e d ecid ed , n ot w it ho ut m uch

s we ll in g a nd b ea ti ng o f t he h ea rt , t o e xp la in h is p os it io n t o t he A bbe

Troubert.

T he c ano n l is te ne d i n a c ol d, gr ave m an ne r, t ryi ng, b ut i n v ai n, t o

r ep ress an o ccas io nal s mi le w hi ch t o m or e i nt el li gent eyes t han t ho se

of t he v ic ar m ig ht h av e b et ra ye d t he e mo ti on s o f a s ec re t

s ati sf acti on . A f lame s eemed t o d ar t f ro m h is eyeli ds w hen B ir ot teau

pictured with the eloquence of genuine feeling the constant bitterness

h e w as m ad e t o s wa ll ow ; b ut T ro ub er t l ai d h is h an d a bo ve t ho se l id s

with a gesture very common to thinkers, maintaining the dignified

de me an or w hi ch w as u su al w it h h im . W he n t he v ic ar h ad c ea se d t o s pe ak

h e w ou ld i nd ee d h av e b ee n p uz zl ed h ad h e s ou gh t o n T ro ub er t' s f ac e,

marbled with yellow blotches even more yellow than his usually bilious

s ki n, f or a ny t ra ce o f t he f ee li ng s he m us t h ave e xc it ed i n t ha t

mysterious priest.

A ft er a m om en t' s s il en ce t he c an on m ad e o ne o f t ho se a ns we rs w hi ch

required long study before their meaning could be thoroughly

p er ceiv ed , t ho ug h l at er t hey p ro ved t o r ef lect in g p er so ns t he

ast on is hi ng d ep th s o f h is s pi ri t and t he p ow er o f h is m in d. H e s im pl y

crushed Birotteau by telling him that "these things amazed him all the

m or e b ec au se h e s ho ul d n ev er h av e s us pe ct ed t he ir e xi st en ce w er e i t

n ot f or h is b ro th er 's con fess io n. H e att ri bu ted s uch s tu pi di ty o n h is

p ar t t o t he g ra vi ty o f h is o cc up at io ns , h is l ab or s, t he a bs or pt io n i n

w hi ch h is m in d w as h el d b y cer tain elevated t ho ug ht s w hi ch p revent ed

P a g e 5 0



hi s t ak in g du e n ot ic e o f t he p et ty d et ai ls o f l if e. " H e m ad e t he v ic ar

o bs er ve , b ut w it ho ut a pp ea ri ng t o c en su re t he c on du ct o f a m an w ho se

age and con nect i on s d es erv ed all r es pect , t hat " in f or mer d ay s,

recluses thought little about their food and lodging in the solitude

of t heir r et reat s, w here t hey w er e l os t i n h ol y con temp lati on s, " and

th at " in o ur d ay s, p ri es ts c ou ld m ak e a r et re at f or t he ms el ve s i n t he

solitude of their own hearts." Then, reverting to Birotteau's affairs,

h e a dd ed t ha t " su ch d is ag re em en ts w er e a n ov el ty t o h im . F or t we lv e

y ears n ot hi ng o f t he k in d h ad o ccur red b et ween M ad em oi sell e G am ar d and

t he v en er ab le A bb e C ha pe lo ud . A s f or h im se lf , h e m ig ht , n o d ou bt , b e

an ar bi tr at or b et ween t he v icar and t heir l an dl ady , b ecaus e h is

f ri en ds hi p f or t hat p er so n h ad n ev er g on e b ey on d t he l im it s i mp os ed b y

t he C hu rch o n h er f ai th fu l s er vant s; b ut i f s o, j us ti ce d em an ded t hat

h e s ho ul d h ear b ot h s id es . H e cer tain ly s aw n o chang e i n M ad em oi sell e

Ga ma rd, w ho s ee me d t o hi m t he s am e a s e ve r; he ha d a lw ays s ubmi tt ed t o

a f ew o f h er c ap ri ce s, k no wi ng t ha t t he e xc el le nt w om an w as k in dn es s

and gentleness itself; the slight fluctuations of her temper should be

attributed, he thought, to sufferings caused by a pulmonary affection,

o f w hi ch s he s ai d l it tl e, r es ig ni ng h er self t o b ear t hem i n a t ru ly

C hr is ti an s pi ri t. " H e e nd ed b y a ss ur in g t he v ic ar t ha t " if he s ta ye d a

f ew y ears l on ger i n M ad em oi sell e G am ar d' s h ou se h e w ou ld l earn t o

u nd er st an d h er b et ter and ack no wl ed ge t he r eal v al ue o f h er excel lent

nature."

B ir ot teau l ef t t he r oo m con fo un ded. I n t he d ir ef ul n eces si ty o f

P a g e 5 1



con su lt in g n o o ne, h e n ow j ud ged M ad em oi sell e G am ar d as h e w ou ld

hims elf , a nd t he poor ma n fa nci ed t hat i f he le ft he r house for a fe w

d ay s h e m ig ht ext in gu is h, f or w an t o f f uel, t he d is li ke t he o ld m ai d

f el t f or h im . H e a cc or di ng ly r es ol ve d t o s pe nd , a s h e f or me rl y d id , a

w ee k o r s o a t a c ou nt ry -h ou se w he re M ada me d e L is to me re p as se d h er

a ut um ns , a s ea so n w he n t he s ky i s u su al ly p ur e a nd t en de r i n T ou ra ine .

P oor ma n! i n s o doi ng he di d t he thi ng t ha t wa s mos t de sir ed by hi s

t er ri bl e enemy , w ho se p lans cou ld o nl y h av e b een b ro ug ht t o n ou gh t b y

t he r es is ta nt p at ie nc e o f a m on k. B ut t he v ic ar , u na bl e t o d iv in e

th em , n ot u nd er st an di ng even h is o wn aff ai rs , w as d oo med t o f al l, l ik e

a l am b, a t t he b ut ch er 's f ir st b lo w.

Madame de Listomere's country-place, situated on the embankment which

l ies b et ween T ou rs and t he h ei gh ts o f S ai nt -G eo rg es , w it h a s ou th er n

exp os ur e and s ur ro un ded b y r ocks , com bi ned t he charm s o f t he cou nt r y

w it h t he p le as ur es o f t he t ow n. I t t oo k b ut t en m in ut es f ro m t he

b ri dg e o f T ou rs t o r ea ch t he h ou se , w hi ch w as c al le d t he " Al ou et te ," --

a gr ea t a dv an ta ge i n a r eg ion w he re n o on e w il l p ut h im se lf ou t f or

any th in g w hat so ev er , n ot even t o s eek a p leas ur e.

T he A bb e B ir ot te au h ad b ee n a bo ut t en d ay s a t t he A lo ue tt e, w he n, o ne

m or ni ng w hi le h e w as b re ak fa st in g, t he p or te r c am e t o s ay t ha t

M on si eu r C ar on d es ir ed t o s pe ak w it h h im . M on si eu r C ar on w as

M ademo is el le G am ar d' s l ay wer, and h ad charg e o f h er aff ai rs .

B ir ot teau , n ot r em em beri ng t hi s, and u nabl e t o t hi nk o f any m at ter o f

l it ig at io n b et ween h im self and o th er s, l ef t t he t ab le t o s ee t he

P a g e 5 2



l aw ye r i n a s ta ge o f g re at a gi ta ti on . H e f ou nd h im m od es tl y s ea te d o n

th e b al us tr ad e o f a t er ra ce .

"Your intention of ceasing to reside in Mademoiselle Gamard's house

bein g m ad e evi dent -- " b eg an t he m an o f b us in es s.

"Eh! monsieur," cried the Abbe Birotteau, interrupting him, "I have

not the slightest intention of leaving it."

"Nevertheless, monsieur," replied the lawyer, "you must have had some

a gr ee me nt i n t he m at te r w it h M ad em oi se ll e, f or s he h as s en t m e t o a sk

ho w l ong y ou i nt end t o r em ai n i n t he c oun tr y. T he e ve nt of a l on g

a bs enc e w as n ot f or es ee n i n t he a gr ee me nt , a nd ma y l ea d t o a c ont es t.

Now, Mademoiselle Gamard understanding that your board--"

"Monsieur," said Birotteau, amazed, and again interrupting the lawyer,

" I d id n ot s up po se i t n ec es sa ry t o e mp lo y, a s i t w er e, l eg al m ea ns

to--"

" Mademo is el le G am ar d, w ho i s anx io us t o avo id all d is pu te," s ai d

M on si eu r C ar on , " has s en t m e t o com e t o an u nd er st an di ng w it h y ou ."

" Well , i f y ou w il l h av e t he g oo dn es s t o r et ur n t o- mo rr ow ," s ai d t he

a bb e, " I s ha ll t he n h av e t ak en a dv ic e i n t he m at te r. "

P a g e 5 3



The quill-driver withdrew. The poor vicar, frightened at the

persistence with which Mademoiselle Gamard pursued him, returned to

t he d in in g- ro om w it h h is f ace s o con vu ls ed t hat every bo dy cri ed o ut

w hen t hey s aw h im : " Wh at I S t he m at ter, M on si eu r B ir ot teau ?"

T he a bbe , i n d es pa ir , s at d ow n wi tho ut a w or d, s o c ru she d w as h e b y

th e v ag ue p res en ce o f app ro achi ng d is as t er . B ut af ter b reak fast , w hen

h is f ri en ds g at hered r ou nd h im b ef or e a com fo rt ab le f ir e, B ir ot teau

n ai vely r el at ed t he h is to ry o f h is t ro ub les. H is h earers , w ho w er e

b eg in ni ng t o w eary o f t he m on ot on y o f a cou nt ry -h ou se, w er e k eenl y

i nt er es te d i n a p lo t s o t hor ou gh ly i n k ee pi ng wi th t he l if e o f t he

p ro vi nc es . T he y a ll t oo k s id es w it h t he a bb e a ga in st t he o ld m ai d.

" Do n' t y ou s ee , m y d ea r f ri en d, " s ai d M ad am e d e L is to me re , " th at t he

Abbe Troubert wants your apartment?"

H er e t he h is to ri an o ug ht t o s ke tc h t hi s l ad y; b ut i t o cc ur s t o hi m

t hat even t ho se w ho are i gn or an t o f S tern e' s s ys tem o f " co gn om ol og y, "

cann ot p ro no un ce t he t hr ee w or ds " Madame d e L is to mere" w it ho ut

picturing her to themselves as noble and dignified, softening the

st er nn es s o f r ig id d ev ot io n b y t he g raci ou s elegance and t he cou rt eo us

m an ners o f t he o ld m on ar ch ical r eg im e; k in d, b ut a l it tl e s ti ff ;

slightly nasal in voice; allowing herself the perusal of "La Nouvelle

Heloise"; and still wearing her own hair.

" Th e A bb e B ir ot teau m us t n ot y ield t o t hat o ld v ix en ," cri ed M on si eu r

P a g e 5 4



d e L is to mere, a l ieut en an t i n t he n av y w ho w as s pend in g a f ur lo ug h

w it h h is aun t. " If t he v icar h as p lu ck and w il l f ol lo w m y s ug gest io ns

he will soon recover his tranquillity."

A ll p resent b eg an t o analy ze t he con du ct o f M ad em oi sell e G am ar d w it h

t he k een p er cept io ns w hi ch charact er ize p ro vi ncials , t o w ho m n o o ne

c an d en y t he t al en t o f k no wi ng h ow t o l ay b ar e t he m os t s ec re t m ot iv es

of human actions.

" Yo u d on 't s ee t he w ho le t hi ng y et ," s ai d a n o ld l an do wn er w ho k ne w

t he r eg io n w el l. " Th er e i s s om et hi ng s er io us b eh in d all t hi s w hi ch I

c an' t y et m ak e o ut . T he A bb e Tr ou be rt i s t oo d ee p t o be f at ho me d a t

o nc e. O ur d ea r B ir ot te au i s a t t he b eg in ni ng o f h is t ro ub le s. B es id es ,

woul d he be l ef t i n pe ac e and c omf or t e ven i f he di d gi ve up hi s

l odgi ng t o T roube rt ? I dou bt i t. I f C ar on c am e h er e t o t el l yo u t ha t

yo u i nt en ded t o l eave M ad em oi sell e G am ar d, " h e add ed , t ur ni ng t o t he

bewildered priest, "no doubt Mademoiselle Gamard's intention is to

t ur n y ou o ut . T he re fo re y ou w il l ha ve t o g o, w he the r y ou l ik e i t o r

n ot . H er s or t o f p eo pl e p la y a s ur e g am e, t he y r is k n ot hi ng ."

T hi s o ld g en tl em an , M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne, cou ld s um u p and est im at e

p ro vi ncial i deas as cor rect ly as V ol tair e s um mari zed t he s pi ri t o f h is

t im es . H e w as t hi n a nd t al l, a nd c ho se t o e xh ib it i n t he m at te r o f

clothes the quiet indifference of a landowner whose territorial value

i s q uo te d i n t he d ep ar tm en t. H is f ac e, t an ne d b y t he T ou ra in e s un , w as

P a g e 5 5



l es s i nt el lect ual t han s hr ew d. A ccus to med t o w ei gh h is w or ds and

m easu re h is act io ns , h e con ceal ed a p ro fo un d v ig il an ce b eh in d a

misleading appearance of simplicity. A very slight observation of him

s uf fi ced t o s ho w t hat, l ik e a N or man p easant , h e i nv ar iabl y h el d t he

up per h an d i n b us in es s m at ters . H e w as an aut ho ri ty o n w in e- maki ng ,

t he l ea di ng s ci en ce o f T ou ra in e. H e h ad m an ag ed t o e xt en d t he m ea do w

l an ds o f hi s do ma in b y t ak in g i n a p ar t o f t he a ll uvi al s oi l o f t he

Loire without getting into difficulties with the State. This clever

p ro ce ed in g g ave h im t he r ep ut at io n o f a m an o f t al en t. I f M on si eu r d e

B ou rb on ne 's c on ve rs at io n p le as ed y ou a nd y ou w er e t o a sk w ho h e w as o f

a Tour ai ne an, " Ho! a s ly ol d f ox! " woul d be t he a ns we r of t hos e wh o

w er e e nv io us o f h im -- an d t he y w er e m any . I n T ou ra ine , a s i n m an y o f

th e p ro vi nces , j ealo us y i s t he r oo t o f l an gu ag e.

Monsieur de Bourbonne's remark occasioned a momentary silence, during

wh ic h t he p er so ns w ho c om po se d t he l it tl e p ar ty s ee me d t o b e

reflecting. Meanwhile Mademoiselle Salomon de Villenoix was announced.

She c am e f rom T our s i n t he h ope of be ing us ef ul t o t he poor a bbe , a nd

t he n ew s s he b ro ug ht c om pl et el y c ha ng ed t he a sp ec t o f t he a ff ai r. A s

s he ent ered, every o ne except M on si eur d e B ou rb on ne w as u rg in g

B ir ot teau t o h ol d h is o wn again st T ro ub er t and G am ar d, u nd er t he

aus pi ces o f t he ari st ocract ic s ociety o f t he p lace, w hi ch w ou ld

certainly stand by him.

" Th e v icar -g en er al , t o w ho m t he app oi nt ment s t o o ff ice are ent ru st ed ,

i s v er y i ll ," s ai d M ad em oi sell e S al om on , " an d t he archb is ho p h as

P a g e 5 6



d el eg at ed h is p ow er s t o t he A bb e T ro ub er t p ro vi si on al ly . T he can on ry

w il l, o f cou rs e, d ep en d w ho ll y u po n h im . N ow l as t eveni ng , at

M ad em oi s el le d e l a B lo tt i er e' s t he A bb e P oi r el t al ked abo ut t he

annoyances which the Abbe Birotteau had inflicted on Mademoiselle

G ama rd , a s t ho ugh he w er e t ryi ng t o c as t a ll t he bl am e on our good

a bb e. ' Th e A bb e B ir ot te au ,' he s ai d, ' is a m an t o w ho m t he A bb e

C hapel ou d w as abs ol ut ely n ecess ary , and s i nce t he d eath o f t hat

venerable man, he has shown'--and then came suggestions, calumnies!

you understand?"

"Troubert will be made vicar-general," said Monsieur de Bourbonne,

sententiously.

" Co me!" cri ed M ad am e d e L is to mere, t ur ni ng t o B ir ot teau , " wh ich d o y ou

p r ef er , t o b e m ad e a c an on , o r c on ti nu e t o l iv e w it h M ad em oi se ll e

Gamard?"

" To b e a c an on !" c ri ed t he w ho le c om pa ny .

" Well , t hen, " r es um ed M ad am e d e L is to mere, " yo u m us t l et t he A bb e

T ro ub er t and M ad em oi sell e G am ar d h av e t hi ng s t heir o wn w ay . B y s en di ng

C ar on h er e t he y m ea n t o l et y ou k no w i nd ir ec tl y t ha t i f y ou c on se nt t o

l ea ve t he h ou se y ou s ha ll b e m ad e c an on ,- -o ne g oo d t ur n d es er ve s

another."

P a g e 5 7



E ver y o ne p resen t app laud ed M ad ame d e L is to mer e' s s agacit y, except h er

n ep he w t he B ar on d e L is to me re , w ho r em ar ke d i n a c om ic t on e t o

M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne , " I w ou ld l ik e t o h av e s ee n a f ig ht b et we en t he

Gamard and the Birotteau."

B ut , u nh ap pi ly f or t he v icar , f or ces w er e n ot equ al b et ween t hes e

p er so ns o f t he be st s oc ie ty a nd t he o ld m ai d s up po rt ed b y t he A bbe

T ro ub er t. T he t im e s oo n cam e w hen t he s tr ug gl e d ev el op ed o penl y, w en t

on increasing, and finally assumed immense proportions. By the advice

o f M ad am e d e L is to me re a nd m os t o f h er f ri en ds , w ho w er e n ow e ag er ly

enl is ted i n a m at ter w hi ch t hr ew s uch excit em en t i nt o t heir v ap id

p ro vi nc ia l l iv es , a s er va nt w as s en t t o b ri ng b ac k M on si eu r C ar on . T he

lawyer returned with surprising celerity, which alarmed no one but

Monsieur de Bourbonne.

" Let u s p os tp on e all d ecis io n u nt il w e are b et ter i nf or med, " w as t he

adv ice o f t hat F ab iu s i n a d ress in g- go wn , w ho se p ru dent r ef lect io ns

r ev ealed t o h im t he m eani ng o f t hese m ov es o n t he T ou rain ean chess -

b oard . H e t ri ed t o enl ig ht en B ir ot teau o n t he d an gers o f h is p os it io n;

b ut t he w is do m o f t he o ld " sl y- bo ot s" d id n ot s er ve t he p as si on s o f

t he m om en t, and h e o bt ai ned b ut l it tl e att en ti on .

T he con ference b et ween t he l awy er and B ir ot teau w as s ho rt . T he v icar

cam e b ack q ui te t er ri fi ed.

" He w an ts m e t o s ig n a p ap er s tati ng m y r el in qu is hm en t o f d om icil e. "

P a g e 5 8



"That's formidable language!" said the naval lieutenant.

" Wh at d oe s i t m ea n? " a sk ed M ad am e d e L is to me re .

" Merely t hat t he abb e m us t d eclare i n w ri ti ng h is i nt en ti on o f l eavi ng

Mademoiselle Gamard's house," said Monsieur de Bourbonne, taking a

pinch of snuff.

" Is t ha t a ll ?" s ai d M ad am e d e L is to me re . " Th en s ig n i t a t o nc e, " s he

ad ded, t ur ni ng t o B ir ot teau . " If y ou p os it iv el y d ecid e t o l eave h er

h ou se , t he re c an b e n o ha rm i n de cl ar ing t ha t s uc h i s y ou r w il l. "

Birotteau's will!

"That is true," said Monsieur de Bourbonne, closing his snuff-box with

a g es tu re t he s ig ni fi cance o f w hi ch i t i s i mp os si bl e t o r en der, f or i t

w as a l an gu ag e i n i ts el f. " Bu t w ri ti ng i s alw ay s d an gero us ," h e add ed ,

p u tt in g h is s nu ff -b ox o n t he m an telp iece w it h an air and m an ner t hat

alarmed the vicar.

B ir ot te au w as s o b ew il de re d b y t he u ps et ti ng o f a ll h is i de as , b y t he

r ap id it y o f event s w hi ch f ou nd h im d ef en celess , b y t he eas e w it h w hi ch

h is f ri en ds w er e s et tl in g t he m os t cheri sh ed m at ters o f h is s ol it ar y

l if e, t hat h e r em ai ned s il en t and m ot io nl es s as i f m oo ns tr uck,

P a g e 5 9



thinking of nothing, though listening and striving to understand the

m eani ng o f t he r ap id s en tences t he ass em bl ed com pany add ress ed t o h im .

He t oo k t he pa pe r M ons ie ur C ar on h ad gi ve n hi m a nd r ea d i t, a s i f h e

w er e g iv ing h is m in d t o t he l aw ye r' s d oc um ent , b ut t he a ct w as m er el y

m ec ha ni ca l. H e s ig ne d t he p ap er , b y w hi ch h e d ec la re d t ha t h e l ef t

M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d' s h ou se of h is o wn w is h a nd w il l, a nd t ha t h e h ad

been f ed and l od ged w hi le t here accor di ng t o t he t er ms o ri gi nall y

agr eed u po n. W hen t he v icar h ad s ig ned t he d ocum en t, M on si eu r C ar on

t ook i t a nd a ske d whe re hi s c li en t wa s t o s end t he t hi ngs l ef t b y t he

abb e i n h er h ou se and b el on gi ng t o h im . B ir ot teau r ep li ed t hat t hey

c ou ld b e s en t t o M ad am e d e L is to me re 's ,- -t ha t l ad y m ak in g h im a s ig n

th at s he w ou ld r ec ei ve h im , n ev er d ou bt in g t ha t h e w ou ld s oo n b e a

c a no n. M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne a sk ed t o s ee t he pa pe r, t he d ee d o f

r el in qu is hm en t, w hi ch t he abb e h ad j us t s ig ned. M on si eu r C ar on g av e i t

t o h im .

" Ho w i s t hi s? " h e s ai d t o t he v ic ar a ft er r ea di ng i t. " It a pp ea rs t ha t

written documents already exist between you and Mademoiselle Gamard.

W he re a re t he y? a nd w ha t d o t he y s ti pu la te ?"

" Th e d eed i s i n m y l ib rary ," r ep li ed B ir ot teau .

" Do y ou k no w t he t en or o f i t? " s ai d M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne t o t he

lawyer.

" No , m on si eu r, " s ai d C ar on , s tr et ch in g o ut h is h an d t o r eg ai n t he

P a g e 6 0



fatal document.

" Ha !" t ho ug ht t he ol d m an ; " yo u k no w, m y g oo d f ri en d, w ha t t ha t d ee d

c on ta in s, but y ou a re not p ai d t o t el l u s, " a nd he r et ur ne d t he p ape r

t o t he l aw ye r.

" Wh er e can I p ut m y t hi ng s?" cri ed B ir ot teau ; " my b oo ks , m y b eaut if ul

b oo k- sh el ves, and p ictu res, m y r ed f ur ni tu re, and all m y t reas ur es ?"

The he lpl es s de sp ai r of t he p oor m an t hu s t or n up a s i t w er e by t he

r oot s w as s o a rt le ss , i t s how ed s o pl ai nl y t he pur it y of h is w ays a nd

h is i gn or an ce o f t he t hi ng s o f l if e, t hat M ad am e d e L is to mere and

M ad em oi sell e d e S al om on t al ked t o h im and con so led h im i n t he t on e

w hi ch m ot hers t ak e w hen t hey p ro mi se a p layt hi ng t o t heir chi ld ren.

" Do n' t f ret abo ut s uch t ri fl es ," t hey s ai d. " We w il l f in d y ou s om e

p lace l es s col d and d is mal t han M ad em oi sell e G am ar d' s g lo om y h ou se. I f

we c an' t f ind a nythi ng you l ike, one or othe r of us wi ll t ake you t o

l iv e w it h u s. C om e, l et 's p la y a g am e o f b ac kg am mo n. T o- mo rr ow y ou c an

go a nd s ee t he A bb e T ro ube rt a nd a sk h im t o pus h yo ur c la im s t o t he

can on ry , and y ou 'l l s ee h ow cor di al ly h e w il l r ecei ve y ou ."

F ee bl e f ol k a re a s e as il y r ea ss ur ed a s t he y a re f ri gh te ne d. S o t he

p oo r a bb e, d az zl ed a t t he p ro sp ec t o f l iv in g w it h M ad am e d e L is to me re ,

f or go t t he d es tr uc ti on , n ow c om pl et ed , o f t he h ap pi ne ss h e h ad s o l on g

P a g e 6 1



d es ir ed , and s o d el ig ht fu ll y enj oy ed . B ut at n ig ht b ef or e g oi ng t o

s le ep, t he di st re ss of a m an t o whom the f us s of m oving and the

br ea ki ng up o f a ll his ha bit s w as l ike th e e nd of t he wor ld, c ame upon

h im , a nd h e r ac ke d hi s b ra in s t o i ma gi ne ho w h e c ou ld e ve r f in d s uc h a

g oo d p la ce f or h is b oo k- ca se a s t he g al le ry i n t he o ld m ai d' s h ou se .

F an cy in g h e s aw h is b oo ks s catt er ed abo ut , h is f ur ni tu re d ef aced, h is

regular life turned topsy-turvy, he asked himself for the thousandth

t im e w hy t he f ir st y ear s pent i n M ad em oi sell e G am ar d' s h ou se h ad b een

s o s we et , t he s ec on d s o c rue l. Hi s t ro ubl es we re a pi t i n w hi ch hi s

r easo n f lo un dered. T he can on ry s eemed t o h im s mall com pens at io n f or s o

m uc h m is er y, a nd h e c om pa re d hi s l if e t o a s to ck in g i n wh ic h a s in gl e

dropped stitch resulted in destroying the whole fabric. Mademoiselle

S al om on r em ai ned t o h im . B ut , alas, i n l os in g h is o ld i ll us io ns t he

p oo r p ri es t d ar ed n ot t ru st i n a ny l at er f ri en ds hi p.

I n t he " ci tt a d ol en te" o f s pi ns terh oo d w e o ft en m eet, esp eciall y i n

F rance, w it h w om en w ho se l iv es are a s acri fi ce n ob ly and d ai ly o ff er ed

t o n ob le s en ti ment s. S om e r em ai n p ro ud ly f ai th fu l t o a h eart w hi ch

de at h t or e f ro m t he m; m ar ty rs o f l ov e, t he y l ea rn t he s ec re ts o f

womanhood only though their souls. Others obey some family pride

( wh ic h i n o ur d ay s, a nd t o o ur s ha me , d ec re as es s te ad il y) ; t he se

de vo te t he ms el ve s t o t he w el fa re o f a b ro th er , o r t o o rp ha n n ep he ws ;

t hey are m ot hers w hi le r em ai ni ng v ir gi ns . S uch o ld m ai ds att ai n t o t he

highest heroism of their sex by consecrating all feminine feelings to

t he h el p o f s or ro w. T hey i deal ize w om an ho od b y r en ou ncin g t he r ew ar ds

o f w om an 's d es ti ny , accep ti ng i ts p ai ns . T hey l iv e s ur ro un ded b y t he

P a g e 6 2



sp lend ou r o f t heir d ev ot io n, and m en r es pect fu ll y b ow t he h ead b ef or e

t heir f ad ed f eatu res. M ad em oi sell e d e S om br eu il w as n ei th er w if e n or

m ai d; s he w as a nd e ve r w il l b e a l iv in g po em . M ad em oi se ll e S al om on d e

V il leno ix b el on ged t o t he r ace o f t hese h er oi c b ei ng s. H er d ev ot io n

w as r el ig io us ly s ub li me, i nasm uch as i t w on h er n o g lo ry aft er b ei ng ,

f or y ea rs , a d ai ly a gon y. B ea ut if ul a nd y ou ng , s he l ov ed a nd w as

b el ov ed ; h er l ov er l os t h is r ea so n. F or f iv e y ea rs s he g av e h er se lf ,

w it h l ov e' s d ev ot io n, t o t he m er e m echani cal w el l- bein g o f t hat

u nh ap py m an , w ho se m ad ness s he s o p en et rat ed t hat s he n ev er b el i ev ed

h im m ad . S he w as s im pl e i n m ann er , f ra nk i n s pe ec h, a nd h er p al li d

f ace w as n ot l acki ng i n s tr en gt h and charact er , t ho ug h i ts f eatu res

w er e r eg ul ar . She ne ve r s poke of t he e ve nt s of he r l if e. But a t t im es

a s ud de n q ui ve r pa ss ed o ve r h er a s s he l is te ne d t o t he s to ry of s om e

s ad o r d read fu l i ncid en t, t hu s b et rayi ng t he emo ti on s t hat g reat

s uf feri ng s h ad d ev el op ed w it hi n h er . S he h ad com e t o l iv e at T ou rs

a ft er l os in g t he c om pa ni on o f h er l if e; b ut s he w as n ot a pp re ci at ed

t he re a t h er t ru e v al ue a nd w as t ho ug ht t o b e m er el y a n a mi ab le w om an .

S he d id m uc h g oo d, a nd a tt ac he d h er se lf , b y p re fe re nc e, t o f ee bl e

b ei ng s. F or t hat r easo n t he p oo r v icar h ad n at ur al ly i ns pi red h er w it h

a d ee p i nt er es t.

Mademoiselle de Villenoix, who returned to Tours the next morning,

t oo k B ir ot te au w it h h er a nd s et h im d ow n o n t he q ua y o f t he c at he dr al

l ea vi ng hi m to ma ke hi s own wa y t o t he C lo is te r, w he re he wa s be nt on

g oi ng , t o s av e a t l ea st t he c an on ry a nd t o s up er in te nd t he r em ov al o f

P a g e 6 3



his furniture. He rang, not without violent palpitations of the heart,

a t t he d oo r of t he h ou se w hi th er , f or f our te en y ea rs , h e ha d c om e

d ai ly , and w here h e h ad l iv ed b li ss fu ll y, and f ro m w hi ch h e w as n ow

exi led f or ev er , aft er d ream in g t hat h e s ho ul d d ie t here i n p eace l ik e

h is f ri en d C hapelo ud . M ar iann e w as s ur pr is ed at t he v icar 's v is it . H e

t ol d h er t ha t h e ha d c om e t o s ee t he A bb e Tr ou be rt , a nd t ur ne d t ow ar ds

t he g ro un d- fl oo r apart ment w here t he can on l iv ed ; b ut M ar iann e cal led

to him:--

" No t t he re , m on si eu r l e v ic ai re ; t he A bb e T ro ub er t i s i n y ou r o ld

apartment."

T he se w or ds g av e t he v ic ar a f ri gh tf ul s ho ck . H e w as f or ce d t o

c om pr eh en d b ot h T ro ub er t' s c ha ra ct er a nd t he d ep th s o f t he r ev en ge s o

s lo wl y b ro ug ht abo ut w hen h e f ou nd t he can on s et tl ed i n C hapelo ud 's

library, seated in Chapeloud's handsome armchair, sleeping, no doubt,

i n C hapelo ud 's b ed , and d is in heri ti ng at l as t t he f ri en d o f C hapelo ud ,

t he m an w ho , f or s o m an y y ea rs , h ad c onf in ed h im t o M ad em oi se ll e

G am ar d' s h ou se, b y p revent in g h is adv an cement i n t he chu rch, and

clo si ng t he b es t s al on s i n T ou rs again st h im . B y w hat m ag ic w an d h ad

the present transformation taken place? Surely these things belonged

t o B ir ot teau ? A nd y et , o bs er vi ng t he s ar do ni c air w it h w hi ch T ro ub er t

g la nc ed a t t ha t b oo kc as e, t he p oo r a bb e k ne w t ha t t he f ut ur e v ic ar -

g en er al f el t c er ta in o f p os se ss in g t he s po il s o f t ho se h e h ad s o

b it terl y h at ed ,- -C hapelo ud as an enemy , and B ir ot teau, i n and t hr ou gh

w ho m C ha pe lo ud s ti ll t hw ar te d h im . I de as r os e i n t he h ea rt o f t he p oo r

P a g e 6 4



m an a t t he s ig ht , a nd p lu nge d h im i nt o a s or t o f v is io n. H e s to od

motionless, as though fascinated by Troubert's eyes which fixed

themselves upon him.

" I d o n ot s up po se, m on si eu r, " s ai d B ir ot teau at l as t, " th at y ou i nt en d

t o d ep ri ve m e o f t he t hi ng s t ha t b el on g t o m e. M ade mo is el le m ay h av e

b ee n i mp at ie nt t o g iv e y ou b et te r l od gi ng s, b ut s he o ug ht t o h av e b ee n

s uf fi ci en tl y j us t t o g iv e m e t im e t o p ac k m y b oo ks a nd r em ov e m y

furniture."

" Mo ns ieur ," s ai d t he A bb e T ro ub er t, col dl y, n ot p er mi tt in g any s ig n o f

emo ti on t o app ear o n h is f ace, " Mademo is ell e G am ar d t ol d m e y es terd ay

o f y ou r d ep ar tu re , t he c au se o f w hi ch i s s ti ll u nk no wn t o m e. I f s he

i ns ta ll ed m e h er e a t o nc e, i t w as f ro m n ec es si ty . T he A bb e P oi re l h as

t ak en m y a pa rt me nt . I d o n ot k no w i f t he f ur ni tu re a nd t hi ng s t ha t a re

i n t he se r oo ms b el on g t o y ou o r t o M ad em oi se ll e; b ut i f t he y a re

y ou rs , y ou k no w h er s cr up ul ou s h on es ty ; t he s an ct it y o f h er l if e i s

t he gua ra nt ee o f he r r ec ti tude . As f or me , you a re we ll a wa re o f m y

s im pl e m ode s of l iv in g. I h ave s le pt f or f if te en ye ar s i n a ba re r oo m

without complaining of the dampness,--which, eventually will have

c au se d m y d ea th . N ev er th el es s, i f y ou w is h t o r et ur n t o t hi s a pa rt me nt

I w il l cede i t t o yo u w il li ng ly ."

A ft er h eari ng t hese t er ri bl e w or ds , B ir ot teau f or go t t he can on ry and

r an d ow ns tair s as q ui ck ly as a y ou ng m an t o f in d M ad em oi sell e G am ar d.

P a g e 6 5



He me t h er a t t he f oot of t he s ta ir ca se , on t he b roa d, t il ed l an di ng

w hi ch u ni ted t he t wo w in gs o f t he h ou se.

"Mademoiselle," he said, bowing to her without paying any attention to

t he bi tte r a nd de ri si ve s mi le t ha t wa s on he r li ps , nor t o t he

ext raor di nary f lame i n h er eyes w hi ch m ad e t hem l ucen t as a t ig er 's ,

" I c an no t u nde rs ta nd h ow i t i s t ha t y ou h av e n ot w ai te d u nt il I

removed my furniture before--"

"What!" she said, interrupting him, "is it possible that your things

h av e n ot b ee n l ef t a t M ad am e d e L is to me re 's ?"

"But my furniture?"

" Ha ve n' t y ou r ea d y ou r d ee d? " s ai d t he o ld m ai d, i n a t on e w hi ch w ou ld

h av e t o b e r en de re d i n m us ic b ef or e t he s ha de s o f m ea ni ng t ha t h at re d

i s a bl e t o p ut i nt o t he a cc ent of e ve ry wor d c oul d b e f ul ly s how n.

M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d s ee me d t o r is e i n s ta tu re , h er e ye s s ho ne , h er

f ace exp an ded, h er w ho le p er s on q ui ver ed w it h p leasu re. T he A bb e

T ro ub er t o pe ne d a w in do w t o g et a b et te r l ig ht o n t he f ol io v ol um e h e

w as r eadi ng . B ir ot teau s to od as i f a t hu nd er bo lt h ad s tr icken h im .

M ad em oi sell e G am ar d m ad e h is ear s h um w hen s he enu nciated i n a v oi ce

a s c le ar a s a c or ne t t he f ol lo wi ng s en te nc e: --

" Was i t n ot agr eed t hat i f y ou l ef t m y h ou se y ou r f ur ni tu re s ho ul d

P a g e 6 6



b el on g t o m e, t o i nd em ni fy m e f or t he d if fe re nc e i n t he p ri ce o f b oa rd

p ai d b y y ou a nd t ha t pa id b y t he l at e ve ne ra bl e Ab be C ha pe lou d? N ow,

a s t he A bb e P oi re l h as j us t b ee n a pp oi nt ed c an on -- "

He ar ing t he l as t w or ds Bi rot te au m ade a f ee bl e b ow a s i f t o t ake l ea ve

o f t he o ld m ai d, a nd l ef t t he h ou se pr ec ip it at el y. H e w as a fr ai d i f h e

s ta ye d l on ge r t ha t h e s ho ul d b re ak d ow n u tt er ly , a nd g iv e t oo g re at a

tr iu mp h t o h is i mp lacabl e enemi es . W al ki ng l ik e a d un ken m an h e at

l as t r ea ch ed M ad am e d e L is to me re 's h ou se , w he re h e f ou nd i n o ne o f t he

l ow er r oom s h is l in en , h is c lo thi ng , a nd a ll hi s p ap er s p ac ke d i n a

t ru nk . W he n h e e ye s f el l o n t he se f ew r em na nt s o f h is p os se ss io ns t he

u nh ap py p ri es t s at do wn a nd h id h is f ac e i n h is h an ds t o c onc ea l h is

t ea rs f ro m t he s ig ht o f o th er s. T he A bb e P oi re l w as c an on ! H e,

Birotteau, had neither home, nor means, nor furniture!

F or tu nately M ad em oi sel le S al om on h ap pened t o d ri ve p as t t he h ou se, and

t he p or te r, w ho s aw a nd c om pr eh en de d t he d es pa ir o f t he p oo r a bb e,

m ad e a s ig n t o t he c oa ch ma n. A ft er e xc ha ng in g a f ew w or ds w it h

M ad em oi sell e S al om on t he p or ter p er su ad ed t he v icar t o l et h im self b e

p la ce d, h al f d ea d a s h e w as , i n t he c ar ri ag e o f hi s f ai thf ul f ri en d,

to w ho m h e w as u nabl e t o s peak con nectedl y. M ad em oi s el le S al om on ,

a la rm ed a t t he m om en ta ry d er an ge me nt o f a h ea d t ha t w as a lw ay s f ee bl e,

t oo k h im b ack at o nce t o t he A lo uett e, b el ievi ng t hat t hi s b eg in ni ng

o f m en ta l a li en at io n w as a n e ff ec t p ro du ce d b y t he s ud de n n ew s o f A bb e

P oi rel' s n om in at io n. S he k new n ot hi ng , o f cou rs e, o f t he f at al

P a g e 6 7



agr eement m ad e b y t he abb e w it h M ad em oi sell e G am ar d, f or t he excel lent

r e as on tha t he di d not know of i t him sel f; a nd be caus e i t i s i n the

n at ur e o f t hi ng s t hat t he com ical i s o ft en m in gl ed w it h t he p at heti c,

t h e s in gu la r r ep li es o f t he p oo r a bb e m ad e h er s mi le .

" Ch ap el ou d w as r ig ht ," h e s ai d; " he i s a m on st er !"

" Wh o?" s he as ked.

" Ch ap el ou d. H e h as t ak en all ."

"You mean Poirel?"

"No, Troubert."

A t l as t t he y r ea ch ed t he A lo ue tt e, w he re t he p ri es t' s f ri en ds g av e h im

s uc h t en de r c ar e t ha t t ow ar ds e ve ni ng h e g re w c al me r a nd w as a bl e t o

g iv e t hem an accou nt o f w hat h ad h ap pened d ur in g t he m or ni ng .

T he p hl eg ma ti c o ld f ox a sk ed t o s ee t he d ee d w hi ch , o n t hi nk in g t he

m at te r o ve r, s ee me d t o h im t o c on ta in t he s ol ut io n o f t he e ni gm a.

B ir ot te au d re w t he f at al s ta mp ed p ap er f ro m h is p oc ke t a nd g av e i t t o

Mo ns ie ur d e B ou rb on ne , w ho r ea d i t r ap id ly a nd s oo n c am e u po n t he

following clause:--

" Wh er eas a d if ference exi st s o f eig ht h un dr ed f rancs y earl y b et ween

P a g e 6 8



th e p ri ce o f bo ar d p ai d by t he l at e Ab be Ch ap el ou d a nd t ha t a t w hi ch

t he s ai d S op hi e G am ar d a gr ee s t o t ak e i nt o h er ho us e, o n t he a bo ve -

named stipulated condition, the said Francois Birotteau; and whereas

i t i s u nd er st oo d t hat t he u nd er si gn ed F rancoi s B ir ot teau i s n ot abl e

f or s om e y ea rs t o pa y t he f ul l p ri ce c ha rg ed t o t he ot he r bo ar de rs of

M ad em oi sell e G am ar d, m or e esp eciall y t he A bb e T ro ub er t; t he s ai d

B ir ot teau d oes h er eb y eng ag e, i n con si derati on o f cer tain s um s o f

m on ey a dv an ce d b y t he u nd er si gn ed S op hi e G am ar d, t o l ea ve h er , a s

i n demn it y, all t he h ou seho ld p ro pert y o f w hi ch h e m ay d ie p os sess ed ,

or t o t ra ns fe r t he s am e t o he r s ho ul d he , f or a ny r ea son w ha te ve r or

at any t im e, v ol un tari ly g iv e u p t he apart ment n ow l eased t o h im , and

t hu s d er iv e n o f ur th er p ro fi t f ro m t he abo ve-n am ed eng ag em en ts m ad e b y

Mademoiselle Gamard for his benefit--"

" Co nf ou nd h er ! w hat an agr eement !" cri ed t he o ld g en tl em an . " Th e s ai d

S op hi e G am ar d i s arm ed w it h claws ."

Poor Birotteau never imagined in his childish brain that anything

c ou ld e ve r s ep ar at e h im f ro m t ha t h ou se w he re h e e xp ec te d t o l iv e a nd

d ie w it h M ad em oi sell e G am ar d. H e h ad n o r em em br an ce w hatever o f t hat

c la us e, t he t er ms o f w hi ch h e h ad n ot d is cu ss ed , f or t he y h ad s ee me d

quit e j ust t o hi m at a ti me whe n, i n hi s gr ea t anxie ty t o e nt er t he

o ld m ai d' s h ou se, h e w ou ld r eadi ly h av e s ig ned any and all l eg al

d ocum en ts s he h ad o ff er ed h im . H is s im pl icit y w as s o g ui leless and

M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d' s c on du ct s o a tr oc io us , t he f at e o f t he p oo r o ld

P a g e 6 9



m an s eemed s o d ep lo rabl e, and h is n at ur al h el pl es sn es s m ad e h im s o

t o uchi ng , t hat i n t he f ir st g lo w o f h er i nd ig nati on M ad am e d e

L is to mere exclaim ed : " I m ad e y ou p ut y ou r s ig natu re t o t hat d ocum en t

w hi ch h as r ui ne d y ou ; I a m b ou nd t o g iv e y ou b ac k t he h ap pi ne ss o f

w h ich I h av e d ep ri ved y ou ."

" Bu t, " r em ar ked M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne, " th at d eed con st it ut es a f raud ;

t he re m ay b e g ro un d f or a l aw su it ."

"The n Bir ott eau s hal l go t o the la w. I f he l os es at Tours he ma y wi n

a t O rl ea ns ; i f h e l os es a t O rl ea ns , h e' ll w in i n P ar is ," c ri ed t he

B ar on d e L is t om er e.

" Bu t i f h e d oes g o t o l aw ," con ti nu ed M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne, col dl y,

" I s ho ul d adv is e h im t o r es ig n h is v icar iat. "

" We w il l c on su lt l aw ye rs ," s ai d M ada me d e L is to me re , " an d go t o l aw i f

l aw i s b es t. B ut t hi s aff ai r i s s o d is gr acef ul f or M ad em oi sell e

Ga ma rd , a nd i s l ike ly t o b e s o i nj ur iou s t o t he Ab be Tr oube rt , t ha t I

think we can compromise."

A ft er m at ur e d el ib er at io n all p resent p ro mi sed t heir ass is tance t o t he

A bb e B ir ot teau i n t he s tr ug gl e w hi ch w as n ow i nevi tabl e b et ween t he

p oo r p ri es t a nd h is a nt ag on is ts a nd a ll t he ir a dh er en ts . A t ru e

presentiment, an infallible provincial instinct, led them to couple

t he n am es o f G am ar d a nd T ro ub er t. B ut n on e o f t he p er so ns a ss em bl ed o n

P a g e 7 0



t hi s o cc as io n i n M ad am e d e L is to me re 's s al on , e xc ep t t he o ld f ox , h ad

an y r ea l i de a o f t he n at ur e a nd i mp or ta nc e o f s uc h a s tr ug gl e.

M on si eu r d e B ou rb onn e t oo k t he po or a bb e a si de i nt o a c or ne r o f t he

room.

" Of t he f ou rt ee n p er so ns n ow p re se nt ," h e s ai d, i n a l ow v oi ce , " no t

one w il l s ta nd b y y ou a f or tn ig ht h en ce . I f t he t im e c om es w he n yo u

ne ed s ome one t o s uppor t you you m ay f ind t ha t I a m t he onl y pe rs on i n

T ou rs b ol d e no ug h t o t ak e u p y ou r d ef en ce ; f or I k no w t he p ro vi nc es

and m en and t hi ng s, and , b et ter s ti ll , I k no w s el f- in terest s. B ut

th es e f ri en ds o f y ou rs , t ho ug h f ul l o f t he b es t i nt en ti on s, are

l ea di ng you a st ra y i nt o a ba d pa th , f ro m whi ch you wo n' t b e a bl e t o

e xt ri ca te y ou rs el f. T ak e m y a dv ic e; i f y ou w ant t o l iv e i n p ea ce ,

r es ig n t he v icar iat o f S ai nt -G at ien and l eave T ou rs . D on 't s ay w here

y ou are g oi ng , b ut f in d s om e d is tant p ar is h w here T ro ub er t can no t g et

h o ld o f y ou ."

"Leave Tours!" exclaimed the vicar, with indescribable terror.

To him it was a kind of death; the tearing up of all the roots by

w hi ch h e h el d t o l if e. C el ib at es s ub st it ut e h ab it s f or f eeli ng s; and

w hen t o t hat m or al s ys tem, w hi ch m ak es t hem p as s t hr ou gh l if e i ns tead

o f r eall y l iv in g i t, i s add ed a f eebl e charact er , ext er nal t hi ng s

as su me an ext raor di nary p ow er o ver t hem. B ir ot teau w as l ik e cer tain

v eg et ab les; t rans pl an t t hem, and y ou s to p t heir r ip en in g. J us t as a

P a g e 7 1



t r ee n ee ds d ai ly t he s am e s us te na nc e, a nd m us t a lw ay s s en d i ts r oo ts

i nt o t he s am e s oi l, s o B ir ot te au n ee de d t o t ro t a bo ut S ai nt -G at ie n,

an d a mb le a lo ng t he M ai l w he re h e t oo k h is d ai ly w al k, a nd s au nt er

t hr ou gh t he s tr eets , and v is it t he t hr ee s al on s w here, n ig ht aft er

n ig ht , h e p layed h is w hi st o r h is b ackg am mo n.

" Ah ! I d id n ot t hi nk o f i t! " r ep li ed M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne, g azin g at

t he pr ie st wi th a s or t of pi ty.

A ll T ou rs w as s oo n a wa re t ha t M ad am e l a B ar on ne d e L is to me re , w id ow o f

a l ieut en an t- general, h ad i nv it ed t he A bb e B ir ot teau , v icar o f S ai nt -

G at ie n, t o s ta y a t h er h ou se . T ha t a ct , w hi ch m an y p er so ns q ue st io ne d,

p resent ed t he m at ter s har pl y and d iv id ed t he t ow n i nt o p ar ti es ,

esp eciall y aft er M ad em oi sell e S al om on s po ke o penl y o f a f raud and a

l aw su it . W it h t he s ub tl e v an it y w hi ch i s com mo n t o o ld m ai ds , and t he

fanatic self-love which characterizes them, Mademoiselle Gamard was

de ep ly w ou nd ed b y t he c ou rs e t ak en b y M ad am e d e L is to me re . T he

b ar on es s w as a w om an o f h ig h r an k, e le ga nt i n h er h ab it s a nd w ay s,

w ho se g oo d t as te , c ou rt eo us m an ne rs , a nd t ru e p ie ty c ou ld n ot b e

g ai ns ai d. B y r ecei vn g B ir ot teau as h er g uest s he g av e a f or mal d en ial

to all Mademoiselle Gamard's assertions, and indirectly censured her

conduct by maintaining the vicar's cause against his former landlady.

I t i s n eces sary f or t he f ul l u nd er st an di ng o f t hi s h is to ry t o exp lain

h ow t he n at ur al d is cern ment and s pi ri t o f analy si s w hi ch o ld w om en

b ri ng t o b ea r o n t he a ct io ns o f o th er s g av e p ow er t o M ad em oi se ll e

P a g e 7 2



G am ar d, a nd w ha t w er e t he r es ou rc es o n h er s id e. A cc om pa ni ed b y t he

t ac it ur n A bb e T ro ub er t s he m ad e a r ou nd o f e ve ni ng v is it s t o f iv e o r

s ix house s, at each of whic h s he met a circle of a dozen or more

p er so ns , u ni ted b y k in dr ed t as tes and t he s am e g en er al s it uati on i n

l if e. A mo ng t he m w er e o ne o r t wo m en w ho w er e i nf lue nc ed b y t he g os si p

a nd p re ju di ce s o f t he ir s er va nt s; f iv e o r s ix o ld m ai ds w ho s pe nt

t heir t im e i n s if ti ng t he w or ds and s cr ut in izin g t he act io ns o f t heir

n ei gh bo ur s and o th er s i n t he class b el ow t hem; b es id es t hese, t here

w er e s ev er al o ld w om en w ho b us ied t hems el ves i n r et ai li ng s cand al ,

k eepi ng an exact accou nt o f each p er so n' s f or tu ne, s tr iv in g t o con tr ol

or influence the actions of others, prognosticating marriages, and

b lami ng t he con du ct o f f ri en ds as s harp ly as t hat o f enemi es . T hese

p er so ns , s pr ea d a bo ut t he t ow n l ik e t he c ap il la ry f ib re s o f a p la nt ,

s uc ke d i n, wi th t he t hi rs t of a l ea f f or t he de w, t he ne ws a nd t he

s ecrets o f each h ou seho ld , and t rans mi tt ed t hem m echani call y t o t he

A bb e T ro ub er t, a s t he l ea ve s c on ve y t o t he b ra nc h t he m oi st ur e t he y

absorb.

A ccor di ng ly , d ur in g every eveni ng o f t he w eek, t hese g oo d d ev ot ees,

e xc it ed b y t ha t n ee d o f e mo ti on w hi ch e xi st s i n a ll o f u s, r en de re d a n

e xa ct a cc ou nt o f t he c ur re nt c on di ti on o f t he t ow n w it h a s ag ac it y

w or th y o f t he C ounc il of Te n, a nd we re , i n f ac t, a s pe ci es of po li ce ,

arm ed w it h t he u nerr in g g if t o f s py in g b es to wed b y p as si on s. W hen t hey

h ad d iv in ed t he s ec re t m ea ni ng o f s om e e ve nt t he ir v ani ty l ed t he m t o

app ro pr iate t o t hems el ves t he w is do m o f t heir s an hedr im , and s et t he

P a g e 7 3



t on e t o t he g os si p o f t he ir r es pe ct iv e s ph er es . T hi s i dl e b ut e ve r

busy fraternity, invisible, yet seeing all things, dumb, but

perpetually talking, possessed an influence which its nonentity seemed

t o r end er h ar ml es s, t ho ug h i t wa s i n f ac t t er ri bl e i n i ts e ff ec ts w he n

i t con cern ed i ts el f w it h s er io us i nt er es ts . F or a l on g t im e n ot hi ng

h a d e nt er ed t he s ph er e o f t he se e xi st en ce s s o s er io us a nd s o m om en to us

t o e ac h o ne o f t he m a s t he s tr ug gl e o f B ir ot te au , s up po rt ed b y M ad am e

d e L is to mere, again st M ad em oi sell e G am ar d and t he A bb e T ro ub er t. T he

t hr ee s al on s o f M ad am e d e L is to me re a nd t he D em oi se ll es M er li n d e l a

B lo tt iere and d e V il leno ix b ei ng con si dered as enemi es b y all t he

s alo ns w hi ch M ad em oi sell e G am ar d f requ en ted, t here w as at t he b ot to m

o f t he q ua rr el a c la ss s en ti me nt w it h a ll i ts j ea lou si es . I t w as t he

ol d R om an s tr ug gl e o f pe op le a nd s en at e i n a m ol eh il l, a t em pe st i n a

t eacu p, as M on tes qu ieu r emark ed w hen s peak in g o f t he R ep ub li c o f S an

M ar in o, w ho se p ub li c o ff ices are f il led b y t he d ay o nl y, -- desp ot ic

p ow er b ei ng eas il y s ei zed b y any cit izen .

B ut t hi s t em pe st , pe tt y a s i t s ee ms , di d de ve lo p i n t he s oul s of t he se

p er so ns a s m an y p as si on s a s w ou ld h av e b ee n c al le d f or th b y t he

h ig he st s oc ia l i nt er es ts . I t i s a m is ta ke t o t hi nk t ha t n on e b ut s ou ls

co ncer ned i n m ig ht y p ro ject s, w hi ch s ti r t heir l iv es and s et t hem

f oami ng , f in d t im e t oo f leet in g. T he h ou rs o f t he A bb e T ro ub er t f led

b y as eag er ly , l ad en w it h t ho ug ht s as anx io us , h ar as sed b y d es pair s

a nd ho pe s a s de ep a s t he c rue ll es t ho ur s of t he ga mb le r, t he l ov er , or

t he s ta te sma n. G od a lon e i s i n t he s ec re t of t he e ne rgy w e e xpe nd upo n

o ur o ccul t t ri um ph s o ver m an , o ver t hi ng s, o ver o ur selv es . T ho ug h w e

P a g e 7 4



k no w n ot a lw ay s w hi th er w e a re g oi ng w e k no w w el l w ha t t he j ou rn ey

c os ts us . I f i t be pe rmi ss ibl e f or t he hi st or ia n t o t ur n a sid e f or a

mom ent f rom t he dr am a h e i s n ar ra ti ng a nd a sk hi s r ea de rs t o c as t a

gl anc e u po n t he l iv es of t he se ol d m ai ds a nd a bbe s, a nd s ee k t he c aus e

of t he e vi l w hi ch v it ia te s t he m a t t he ir s our ce , we m ay f in d i t

d em on st rated t hat m an m us t exp er ience cer t ai n p as si on s b ef or e h e can

d ev el op w it hi n h im t ho se v ir tu es w hi ch g iv e g rand eu r t o l if e b y

widening his sphere and checking the selfishness which is inherent in

every created being.

M ad am e d e L is to me re r et ur ne d t o t ow n w it ho ut b ei ng a wa re t ha t f or t he

p re vi ou s w ee k h er f ri en ds h ad f el t o bl ig ed t o r ef ut e a r um ou r ( at

w hi ch s he w ou ld h av e l au gh ed h ad s he k no wn i f i t) t hat h er aff ecti on

f or h er n ep he w h ad a n a lm os t c ri mi na l m ot iv e. S he t oo k B ir ot te au t o

he r l aw ye r, w ho d id no t r eg ar d t he c as e a s a n e as y on e. T he vi ca r' s

f ri en ds , i ns pi re d b y t he b el ie f t ha t j us ti ce w as c er ta in i n s o g oo d a

c au se , o r i nc li ne d t o p ro cr as ti na te i n a m at te r w hi ch d id n ot c on ce rn

t hem p er so nall y, h ad p ut o ff b ri ng in g t he s ui t u nt il t hey r et ur ned t o

T ou rs . C on sequ en tl y t he f ri en ds o f M ad em oi sell e G am ar d h ad t ak en t he

i ni ti at iv e, and t ol d t he aff ai r w herever t hey cou ld t o t he i nj ur y o f

B ir ot teau . T he l aw yer, w ho se p ract ice w as exclu si vely amo ng t he m os t

d ev ou t chu rch p eo pl e, amazed M ad am e d e L is to mere b y adv is in g h er n ot

t o e mb ar k o n s uc h a s ui t; h e e nd ed t he c on su lt at io n b y s ay in g t ha t " he

h im se lf w ou ld n ot b e a bl e t o u nd er ta ke i t, f or , a cc or di ng t o t he t er ms

of t he de ed, M ade moi se ll e Ga ma rd ha d t he l aw on he r s id e, a nd i n

P a g e 7 5



e qu it y, t ha t i s t o s ay o ut si de o f s tr ic t l eg al j us ti ce , t he A bb e

B ir ot te au w ou ld u nd ou bt ed ly s ee m t o t he j ud ge s a s w el l a s t o a ll

r es pectabl e l ay men t o h av e d er og at ed f ro m t he p eaceabl e, con ci li ato ry ,

and mild character hitherto attributed to him; that Mademoiselle

G ama rd , k nown t o be a ki ndl y wom an a nd e as y t o l ive wi th, ha d put

B ir ot teau u nd er o bl ig at io ns t o h er b y l en di ng h im t he m on ey h e n eeded

t o p ay t he l eg acy d ut ies o n C hapelo ud 's b eq uest w it ho ut t ak in g f ro m

hi m a r ec ei pt ; t ha t Bi rot te au wa s n ot of a n a ge or c ha ra ct er t o s ign a

deed without knowing what it contained or understanding the importance

o f i t; t ha t i n l ea vi ng M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d' s h ous e a t t he e nd o f t wo

year s, w hen h is f ri en d C hapelo ud h ad l iv ed t here t welv e and T ro ub er t

f if teen , h e m us t h av e h ad s om e p ur po se k no wn t o h im self o nl y; and t hat

t he l aw su it , i f u nd er ta ke n, w ou ld s tr ik e t he p ub li c a s a n a ct o f

i n gr at it ud e; " and s o f or th . L et ti ng B ir ot teau g o b ef or e t hem t o t he

s ta ir ca se , t he l aw ye r d et ai ne d M ad am e d e L is to me re a m om en t t o e nt re at

h er , i f s he v al ue d h er o wn p ea ce o f m ind , n ot t o i nv ol ve h er se lf i n

the matter.

B ut t hat eveni ng t he p oo r v icar , s uf feri ng t he t or ment s o f a m an u nd er

s en te nc e o f d ea th w ho a wa it s i n t he c on de mn ed c el l a t B ic et re t he

resu lt o f h is app eal f or m er cy , cou ld n ot r ef rain f ro m t el li ng h is

ass em bl ed f ri en ds t he r es ul t o f h is v is it t o t he l aw yer.

" I d on 't k no w a s in gl e p et ti fo gg er i n T ou rs ," s ai d M on si eu r d e

B o ur bo nn e, " ex cept t hat R ad ical l aw yer, w ho w ou ld b e w il li ng t o t ak e

t he c as e, -- un le ss f or t he p ur po se o f l os in g i t; I d on 't a dv is e y ou t o

P a g e 7 6



undertake it."

"Then it is infamous!" cried the navel lieutenant. "I myself will take

t he a bb e t o t he R ad ic al -- "

"Go at night," said Monsieur de Bourbonne, interrupting him.

"Why?"

" I h av e j us t l earn ed t hat t he A bb e T ro ub er t i s app oi nt ed v icar -g en er al

i n p la ce o f t he o th er m an , w ho d ie d y es te rd ay ."

" I don 't c ar e a f ig f or t he A bb e Tr oub er t. "

U nf or tu nately t he B ar on d e L is to mere ( a m an t hi rt y- si x y ears o f age)

d id n ot s ee t he s ig n M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne m ad e h im t o b e c au ti ou s i n

w ha t he s ai d, m ot io ni ng a s he di d s o t o a f ri en d of T roube rt , a

cou ncil lo r o f t he P refect ur e, w ho w as p resent . T he l ieut en an t

therefore continued:--

" If t he A bb e T ro ub er t i s a s co un dr el -- "

"Oh," said Monsieur de Bourbonne, cutting him short, "why bring

M on si eu r T ro ub er t i nt o a m at ter w hi ch d oesn 't con cern h im ?"

P a g e 7 7



" Not c on ce rn h im ?" c ri ed t he b ar on ; " is n' t he e nj oy in g t he u se o f t he

A bb e B ir ot t eau' s h ou seho ld p ro pert y? I r em em ber t hat w hen I call ed o n

t h e A bb e C ha pe lo ud I n ot ic ed t wo v al ua bl e p ic tu re s. S ay t ha t t he y a re

wo rt h t en t ho us an d f rancs; d o y ou s up po se t hat M on si eu r B ir ot teau

m eant t o g iv e t en t ho us an d f rancs f or l iv in g t wo y ears w it h t hat

G am ar d w om an ,- - no t t o s peak o f t he l ib rary and f ur ni tu re, w hi ch ar e

wo rt h as m uch m or e?"

T he A bb e B ir ot te au op en ed h is e ye s a t h ea ri ng h e h ad o nc e p os se ss ed s o

enormous a fortune.

T he b ar on , g et ti ng w ar me r t ha n e ve r, w en t o n t o s ay : " By J ov e! t he re 's

t ha t M on si eu r Sa lm on , f or me rl y a n e xp er t a t t he M us eu m i n P ar is ; he i s

d ow n h er e o n a v is it t o hi s m ot he r- in- la w. I 'l l g o a nd s ee h im t hi s

v er y e ve ni ng w it h t he A bb e B ir ot te au a nd a sk h im t o l oo k a t t ho se

pi ct ur es a nd e st im at e t he ir v al ue . F ro m t he re I 'l l t ak e t he a bb e t o

the lawyer."

T wo d ay s aft er t hi s con vers at io n t he s ui t w as b eg un . T hi s emp lo ym en t

o f t he L ib er al l ay we r d id h ar m t o t he v ic ar 's c au se . T ho se w ho w er e

op po se d t o t he g ov er nm en t, a nd a ll w ho w er e k no wn t o d is li ke t he

priests, or religion (two things quite distinct which many persons

c on fo un d) , g ot h ol d o f t he a ff ai r a nd t he w hol e t ow n t al ke d o f i t. T he

M us eu m exp er t est im at ed t he V ir gi n o f V al en ti n and t he C hr is t o f

L eb ru n, t wo p ai nt in gs o f g reat b eaut y, at eleven t ho us an d f rancs. A s

t o t he b oo ks helv es and t he g ot hi c f ur ni tu re, t he t as te f or s uch t hi ng s

P a g e 7 8



w as i ncreas in g s o r ap id ly i n P ar is t hat t heir i mm ed iate v al ue w as at

l east t wel ve t ho us an d. I n s ho rt , t he app rais al o f t he w ho le p ro pert y

b y t he e xp er t r ea ch ed t he s um o f o ve r t hi rt y- si x t ho us an d f ra nc s. N ow

i t w as v er y evi dent t hat B ir ot teau n ev er i nt en ded t o g iv e M ad em oi sell e

G am ar d s uc h a n e nor mo us s um o f m one y f or t he s ma ll a mou nt he m igh t ow e

h er u nd er t he t er ms o f t he d ee d; t he re fo re h e h ad , l eg al ly s pe ak in g,

equ it ab le g ro un ds o n w hi ch t o d em an d an amend ment o f t he agr eement ; i f

this were denied, Mademoiselle Gamard was plainly guilty of

intentional fraud. The Radical lawyer accordingly began the affair by

serving a writ on Mademoiselle Gamard. Though very harsh in language,

t hi s d ocum en t, s tr en gt hened b y ci tati on s o f p reced en ts and s up po rt ed

b y c er ta in c la us es i n t he C od e, w as a m as te rp ie ce o f l eg al a rg um en t,

and s o evi dent ly j us t i n i ts con demn at io n o f t he o ld m ai d t hat t hi rt y

o r f or ty cop ies w er e m ad e and m al icio us ly d is tr ib ut ed t hr ou gh t he

town.

IV

A few days after this commencement of hostilities between Birotteau

a nd t he o ld m ai d, t he B ar on d e L is to me re , w ho e xp ec te d t o b e i nc lu de d

a s c ap ta in o f a c or ve tt e i n a c om in g p ro mo ti on l at el y a nn ou nc ed b y t he

m in is te r o f t he N av y, r ec ei ve d a l et te r f ro m o ne o f h is f ri en ds

w ar ni ng h im t hat t here w as s om e i nt en ti on o f p ut ti ng h im o n t he

r et ir ed l is t. G reat ly ast on is hed b y t hi s i nf or mati on h e s tart ed f or

P a g e 7 9



Pa ri s i mm ed ia te ly , a nd w en t a t o nc e t o t he m in is te r, w ho s ee me d t o b e

a ma ze d h im se lf , a nd e ve n l au gh ed a t t he b ar on 's f ea rs . T he n ex t d ay ,

h ow ev er , i n s pi te o f t he m in is ter' s ass ur an ce, M on si eu r d e L is to mere

made inquiries in the different offices. By an indiscretion (often

p ra ct is ed b y h ea ds o f d ep ar tm en ts i n f av or o f t he ir f ri en ds ) o ne o f

t he s ecretari es s ho wed h im a d ocum en t con fi rm in g t he f at al n ew s, w hi ch

w as o nl y w ai ti ng t he s ig na tur e o f t he d ir ec to r, w ho w as i ll , t o b e

submitted to the minister.

T he B ar on d e L is to me re w en t i mm ed ia te ly t o a n u nc le o f h is , a d ep ut y,

w ho c ou ld s ee t he m in is te r o f t he N av y a t t he c ha mb er w it ho ut l os s o f

ti me, and b eg ged h im t o f in d o ut t he r eal i nt en ti on s o f h is E xcel lency

i n a m at te r w hi ch t hr ea te ne d t he l os s o f h is w ho le f ut ur e. H e w ai te d

i n h is un cl e' s c ar ri age w it h t he ut mos t a nxi et y f or t he e nd o f t he

s es si on . H is u nc le c am e o ut b ef or e t he C ha mb er r os e, a nd s ai d t o h im

a t onc e a s t he y dr ove a way: "W hy t he de vi l ha ve you me ddl ed i n a

p ri es t' s q uarr el ? T he m in is ter b eg an b y t el li ng m e y ou h ad p ut

y ou rs el f at t he h ead o f t he R ad ical s i n T ou rs ; t hat y ou r p ol it ical

o pi ni on s w er e o bj ecti on ab le; y ou w er e n ot f ol lo wi ng i n t he l in es o f

t he g ov er nm en t, -- wi th o th er r em ar ks as m uch i nv ol ved as i f h e w er e

a dd re ss in g t he C ha mb er . O n t ha t I s ai d t o h im , ' No ns en se ; l et u s c om e

t o t he p oi nt .' T he e nd w as t ha t hi s E xc el le nc y t ol d m e f ra nk ly y ou

w er e i n ba d o dor w it h t he d ioc es e. I n s ho rt , I m ade a f ew i nq ui ri es

among my colleagues, and I find that you have been talking slightingly

o f a c er ta n A bb e T ro ub er t, t he v ic ar -g en er al , b ut a v er y i mp or ta nt

p er so na ge i n t he p ro vi nc e, w he re h e r ep re se nt s t he J es ui ts . I h av e

P a g e 8 0



m ad e m ys el f r es po ns ib le t o t he m in is ter f or y ou r f ut ur e con du ct . M y

g ood ne phe w, i f you w ant t o m ake you r w ay be c ar ef ul not t o e xc it e

ec cl es ia st ic al e nm it ie s. G o a t o nc e t o T ou rs a nd t ry t o m ak e y ou r

p eace w it h t hat d ev il o f a v icar -g en er al ; r em em ber t hat s uch p ri es ts

are m en w it h w ho m w e abs ol ut el y M US T l iv e i n h ar mo ny . G oo d h eavens !

wh en w e are all s tr iv in g and w or ki ng t o r e- es tabl is h r el ig io n i t i s

a ct ua ll y s tu pi d, i n a l ie ut en an t w ho w an ts t o b e m ad e a c ap ta in , t o

af fr on t t he p ri es ts . I f y ou d on 't m ak e u p m at te rs w it h t ha t A bb e

T ro ub er t yo u n ee dn 't c ou nt o n m e; I s ha ll a ba nd on y ou . T he m in is te r o f

ecclesi as ti cal aff ai rs t ol d m e j us t n ow t hat T ro ub er t w as cer tain t o

be m ade bis hop bef or e l ong; i f he t akes a di sl ike t o our f ami ly he

c ou ld h in de r m e f ro m b ei ng i nc lu de d i n t he n ex t b at ch o f p ee rs . D on 't

you understand?"

T hese w or ds exp lain ed t o t he n av al o ff icer t he n at ur e o f T ro ub er t' s

s ecret o ccup at io ns , abo ut w hi ch B ir ot teau o ft en r em ar ked i n h is s il ly

w ay : " I can 't t hi nk w hat h e d oes w it h h im self ,- -s it ti ng u p all n ig ht ."

T he c an on 's p os it io n i n t he m id st o f h is f em al e s en at e, c on ve rt ed s o

adroitly into provincial detectives, and his personal capacity, had

i nd uc ed t he C on gr eg at io n o f J es us t o s el ec t h im o ut o f a ll t he

eccl es iast ics i n t he t ow n, as t he s ecret p ro co ns ul o f T ou rain e.

A rchb is ho p, g en er al , p refect , all m en , g reat and s mall , w er e u nd er h is

o cc ul t d om in io n. T he B ar on d e L is to me re d ec id ed a t o nc e o n h is c ou rs e.

P a g e 8 1



" I s ha ll t ake c ar e," h e s ai d t o hi s unc le , " not t o ge t a not he r ro und

shot below my water-line."

T hr ee d ay s aft er t hi s d ip lo mati c con ference b et ween t he u ncle and

nephew, the latter, returning hurriedly in a post-chaise, informed his

aun t, t he v er y n ig ht o f h is arr iv al , o f t he d an gers t he f am il y w er e

r un ni ng i f t hey p er is ted i n s up po rt in g t hat " fo ol o f a B ir ot teau ." T he

b ar on h ad d et ai ne d M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne a s t he o ld g en tl em an w as

t ak in g h is h at a nd c an e a ft er t he u su al r ub be r o f w hi st . T he c le ar -

s ig ht ed ness o f t hat s ly o ld f ox s eemed i nd is pens ab le f or an

understanding of the reefs among which the Listomere family suddenly

f ou nd t he ms el ve s; a nd p er ha ps t he a ct io n o f t ak in g h is h at a nd c an e

wa s onl y a rus e to have it whi spe re d i n hi s e ar : " Sta y a ft er t he

o th er s; w e wa nt t o t al k t o y ou. "

T he b ar on 's s ud den r et ur n, h is app ar en t s at is facti on , w hi ch w as q ui te

o ut o f k eepi ng w it h a h ar ras sed l oo k t hat o ccas i on al ly cro ss ed h is

face, informed Monsieur de Bourbonne vaguely that the lieutenant had

m et w it h s om e c he ck i n h is c ru sa de a ga in st G am ar d a nd T ro ub er t. H e

s ho we d n o s ur pr is e w he n t he b ar on r ev ea le d t he s ec re t p ow er o f t he

Jesuit vicar-general.

" I k ne w t ha t, " h e s ai d.

" Th en w hy ," cri ed t he b ar on es s, " di d y ou n ot w ar n u s?"

P a g e 8 2



" Madame," h e s ai d, s harp ly , " fo rg et t hat I w as aware o f t he i nv is ib le

i nf lu en ce o f t hat p ri es t, and I w il l f or get t hat y ou k new i t equ al ly

we ll . I f we do not k ee p t hi s s ec re t now we s ha ll be t houg ht hi s

a cc om pl ic es , a nd s ha ll be m or e f ea re d a nd ha te d t ha n we a re . D o a s I

do ; p re te nd t o b e d up ed ; b ut l oo k c ar ef ul ly w he re yo u s et y ou r f ee t. I

d id w ar n yo u s uf fi ci ent ly, bu t y ou w ou ld no t u nde rs ta nd m e, a nd I di d

not choose to compromise myself."

"W ha t m us t w e d o now ?" s ai d t he ba ron.

T he a ba nd on me nt o f B ir ot te au w as n ot e ve n m ad e a q ue st io n; i t w as a

f ir st con di ti on t acti ly accep ted b y t he t hr ee d el ib er at or s.

" To be at a r et re at wi th t he h onor s of wa r ha s a lwa ys be en t he t ri ump h

o f t he abl es t g en er al s, " r ep li ed M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne. " Bo w t o

T ro ub er t, and i f h is h at red i s l es s s tr on g t han h is v an it y y ou w il l

make him your al ly; but i f you bow t oo low he wi ll wal k ove r you

r ou gh -s ho d; m ak e b el ieve t hat y ou i nt en d t o l eave t he s er vi ce, and

y ou 'l l escap e h im , M on si eu r l e b ar on . S en d away B ir ot teau, m ad am e, and

y ou w il l s et t hi ng s r ig ht w it h M ad em oi sell e G am ar d. A sk t he A bb e

T ro ub er t, w he n y ou m ee t h im a t t he a rc hb is ho p' s, i f h e c an p la y w hi st .

He wi ll s ay ye s. The n i nvit e him to your sa lon, whe re he wa nt s to be

r ec ei ve d; he 'l l be s ur e t o c om e. Yo u a re a wo ma n, a nd yo u c an

c er ta in ly w in a p ri es t t o y ou r i nt er es ts . W he n t he b ar on i s p ro mo te d,

hi s un cl e pe er o f Fr an ce , a nd T ro ub er t a bi sh op , y ou c an ma ke

P a g e 8 3



B ir ot teau a can on i f y ou cho os e. M eant im e y ield ,- -b ut y ield

gracefully, all the while with a slight menace. Your family can give

T ro ub er t q ui te a s m uc h s up po rt a s h e c an g iv e y ou . Y ou 'l l u nd er st an d

e ac h o th er p er fe ct ly o n t ha t s co re . A s f or y ou , s ai lo r, c ar ry y ou r

d eep -s ea l in e abo ut y ou ."

" Po or B ir ot teau?" s aid t he b ar on es s.

"Oh, get rid of him a t once ," replied the old man, as he rose to take

le av e. " If s om e c le ve r R ad ic al l ay s ho ld o f t ha t e mp ty h ea d o f h is , h e

m ay cau se y ou m uch t ro ub le. A ft er all , t he cou rt w ou ld cer tain ly g iv e

a v er di ct i n h is f av ou r, a nd T ro ub er t m us t f ea r t ha t. H e m ay f or gi ve

y ou f or be gi nn ing t he s tr ug gl e, b ut i f t he y w er e de fe at ed h e w oul d b e

im pl acab le. I h av e s ai d m y s ay ."

H e s na pp ed h is s nu ff -b ox , p ut o n h is o ve rs ho es , a nd d ep ar te d.

T he n ex t d ay a ft er b re ak fa st t he b ar on es s t oo k t he v ic ar a si de a nd

said to him, not without visible embarrassment:--

" My d ea r M on si eu r B ir ot te au , y ou w il l t hi nk w ha t I a m a bo ut t o a sk o f

y ou v er y u nj us t and v er y i ncon si st en t; b ut i t i s n eces sary , b ot h f or

y ou and f or u s, t hat y ou r l aw su it w it h M ad em oi sell e G am ar d b e

w it hd rawn b y r es ig ni ng y ou r claim s, and als o t hat y ou s ho ul d l eave m y

house."

P a g e 8 4



A s h e h ea rd t he se w or ds t he p oo r a bb e t ur ne d p al e.

" I am, " s he con ti nu ed , " th e i nn ocen t cau se o f y ou r m is fo rt un es , and ,

mo re ov er , i f i t h ad n ot be en f or m y n ep he w y ou w ou ld n ev er h av e b eg un

t hi s l aw su it , w hi ch h as no w t ur ne d t o y ou r i nj ur y a nd t o o ur s. B ut

listen to me."

She told him succinctly the immense ramifications of the affair, and

exp lain ed t he s er io us n at ur e o f i ts con sequ en ces. H er o wn m ed it at io ns

d ur in g t he n ig ht h ad t ol d h er s om et hi ng o f t he p ro babl e ant eced en ts o f

T ro ub er t' s l if e; s he w as abl e, w it ho ut m is lead in g B ir ot teau , t o s ho w

hi m t he net s o a bl y woven r ound hi m by r eve nge , a nd t o ma ke hi m se e

t he p ow er a nd g re at c ap ac it y o f h is e ne my , w ho se h at re d t o C ha pe lo ud ,

un de r wh om he h ad b ee n f or ce d t o c ro uc h f or a doz en y ea rs , no w f oun d

vent in seizing Chapeloud's property and in persecuting Chapeloud in

t he p er so n o f h is f ri en d. T he h ar ml es s B ir ot te au c la sp ed h is h an ds a s

i f t o p ra y, a nd w ep t w it h d is tr es s a t t he s ig ht o f h um an h or ro rs t ha t

h is o wn p ur e s ou l w as i ncap ab le o f s us pect in g. A s f ri gh tened as t ho ug h

h e h ad s ud de nl y f ou nd h im se lf a t t he e dg e o f a p re ci pi ce , h e l is te ne d,

w it h f ix ed , m oi st e ye s i n w hi ch t he re w as n o e xp re ss io n, t o t he

r eve la ti on s o f h is f ri end , w ho e nd ed b y s ay in g: " I kn ow t he w ron g I d o

i n aband on in g y ou r cau se; b ut , m y d ear abb e, f am il y d ut ies m us t b e

c o ns id er ed b ef or e t ho se o f f ri en ds hi p. Y ie ld , a s I d o, t o t hi s s to rm ,

a nd I w il l pr ove t o y ou m y gr at it ude . I a m n ot t al ki ng o f y ou r wo rl dl y

i nt er es ts , f or t hos e I t ake c ha rge of . You s ha ll be m ade f re e of a ll

P a g e 8 5



s uc h a nx ie ti es f or t he r es t o f yo ur l if e. B y m ea ns of M on si eu r de

B ou rb on ne , w ho w il l k no w h ow t o s av e a pp ea ra nc es , I s ha ll a rr an ge

m at ters s o t hat y ou s hall l ack n ot hi ng . M y f ri en d, g rant m e t he r ig ht

t o a ba nd on y ou . I s ha ll e ve r b e y ou r f ri en d, t ho ug h f or ce d t o c on fo rm

to t he a xi om s o f t he w or ld . Y ou m us t d ec id e. "

T he p oo r, b ew il der ed abb e cr ied alo ud : " Ch ap el ou d w as r ig ht w hen h e

s ai d tha t i f Troube rt c oul d dr ag him by t he fe et out of hi s gr ave he

wo ul d d o i t! H e s le ep s i n C ha pe lo ud 's b ed !"

" Th er e i s n o u se i n l am en ti ng ," s ai d M ad am e d e L is to mere, " an d w e h av e

l it tl e t im e n ow l ef t t o us . Ho w w il l y ou d ec ide ?"

Bi rot te au w as t oo go od a nd ki nd no t t o o be y i n a gr ea t c ri si s t he

unreflecting impulse of the moment. Besides, his life was already in

t he a go ny o f wh at t o hi m wa s de at h. H e s ai d, wi th a de sp ai ri ng l ook a t

h is p ro te ct re ss w hi ch c ut h er t o t he h ea rt , " I t ru st m ys el f t o y ou -- I

a m b ut t he s tu bb le o f t he s tr ee ts ."

H e u sed t he T ou rain ean w or d " bo ur ri er " w hi ch h as n o o th er m eani ng t han

a " bi t o f s tr aw ." B ut t he re a re p re tt y l it tl e s tr aw s, y el lo w,

polished, and shining, the delight of children, whereas the bourrier

i s s tr aw d is co lo red, m ud dy , s od den i n t he p ud dl es , w hi rl ed b y t he

t em pest , cr us hed u nd er f eet o f m en .

" Bu t, m ad am e, I c an no t l et t he A bb e T ro ub er t k ee p C ha pe lo ud 's

P a g e 8 6



por tr ai t. I t wa s pa int ed f or m e, i t be lon gs t o me ; ob ta in t ha t f or m e,

and I wi ll gi ve up all t he re st."

" Well ," s ai d M ad am e d e L is to mere. " I w il l g o m ys el f t o M ad em oi sell e

G am ar d. " T he w or ds w er e s ai d i n a t on e w hi ch p la in ly s ho we d t he

immense effort the Baronne de Listomere was making in lowering herself

to f la tt er t he pr ide of t he ol d m ai d. "I wi ll s ee wha t c an be done ,"

s he s ai d; " I h ar dl y d ar e h op e a ny th in g. G o a nd c on su lt M on si eu r d e

B ou rb on ne; ask h im t o p ut y ou r r en un ci at io n i nt o p ro per f or m, and

br ing m e t he pa pe r. I w ill se e th e a rchb is hop, a nd w it h his he lp we

ma y b e a bl e t o s to p t he m at te r he re ."

B ir ot teau l ef t t he h ou se d is mayed. T ro ub er t ass um ed i n h is eyes t he

d im en si on s o f an E gy pt ian p yr am id . T he h an ds o f t hat m an w er e i n

P ar is , h is elb ow s i n t he C lo is ter o f S ai nt -G at ien.

" He !" s ai d t he v ic ti m t o hi ms el f, " HE t o p re ve nt t he B ar on d e

L is to me re f ro m b ec om in g p ee r o f F ra nc e! -- an d, p er ha ps , ' by t he h el p o f

t he a rc hbi sho p w e m ay be a bl e t o s top t he ma tt er h er e' !"

I n p re se nc e o f s uc h g re at i nt er es ts B ir ot te au f el t h e w as a m er e w or m;

he judged himself harshly.

T he n ew s o f B ir ot teau 's r em ov al f ro m M ad am e d e L is to mere's h ou se

s ee me d a ll t he m or e a ma zi ng b ec au se t he r ea so n o f i t w as w ho ll y

P a g e 8 7



i mp en et rabl e. M ad am e d e L is to mere s ai d t hat h er n ep hew w as i nt en di ng

t o m ar ry a nd l ea ve t he n av y, a nd s he w an te d t he v ic ar 's a pa rt me nt t o

enlarge her own. Birotteau's relinquishment was still unknown. The

adv ice o f M on si eur d e B ou rb on ne w as f ol lo wed. W henever t he t wo f acts

r ea ch ed t he e ar s o f t he v ic ar -g en er al h is s el f- lo ve w as c er ta in t o b e

g rati fi ed b y t he ass ur an ce t hey g av e t hat even i f t he L is to mere f am il y

di d n ot cap it ul at e t hey w ou ld at l east r em ai n n eu tr al and t acit ly

reco gn ize t he o ccul t p ow er o f t he C on gr egat io n, -- t o r econ ize i t w as ,

in f ac t, t o s ubm it t o i t. Bu t t he l aw su it w as s ti ll s ub j ud ic e; h is

o pp on en ts y iel ded and t hr eatened at t he s am e t im e.

T he L is to me re s h ad t hu s t ak en p re ci se ly t he s am e a tt it ud e a s t he

vicar-general himself; they held themselves aloof, and yet were able

to d ir ec t o th er s. B ut j us t a t t hi s c ri si s a n e ve nt o cc ur re d w hi ch

com pl icat ed t he p lans l ai d b y M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne and t he L is to meres

t o q ui et t he G am ar d a nd T ro ub er t p ar ty , a nd m ad e t he m m or e d if fi cu lt

t o c ar ry ou t.

M ad em oi sell e G am ar d t oo k col d o ne eveni ng i n com in g o ut o f t he

c at he dr al ; t he n ex t da y s he wa s c on fi ne d t o h er be d, a nd s oo n a ft er

b ecam e d an gero us ly i ll . T he w ho le t ow n r an g w it h p it y and f al se

commiseration: "Mademoiselle Gamard's sensitive nature has not been

a bl e t o b ea r t he s ca nda l o f t hi s l aw sui t. I n s pi te of t he j us ti ce of

h er c au se s he w as l ike ly t o d ie of g ri ef . B ir ot te au ha s k il le d h is

b en ef act res s. " S uch w er e t he s peeches p ou red t hr ou gh t he cap il l ar y

t ube s of t he gr ea t f em al e c on cl ave , a nd t ak en up a nd r epe at ed b y t he

P a g e 8 8



wh ol e t ow n o f T ou rs .

M ad am e d e L is to me re w en t t he d ay a ft er M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d t oo k c ol d

t o p ay t he p ro mi se d v is it , a nd s he h ad t he m or ti fi ca ti on o f t ha t a ct

w it hou t o bt ai ni ng a ny b en ef it f rom i t, f or t he o ld m ai d wa s t oo i ll t o

s ee h er . S he t he n a sk ed p ol it el y t o s pe ak t o t he v ic ar -g en er al .

G rat if ied, n o d ou bt , t o r eceiv e i n C hapelo ud 's l i br ar y, at t he cor ner

o f t he f ir ep lace abo ve w hi ch h un g t he t wo con test ed p ictu res, t he

w om an w ho h ad h it heto i gn or ed h im , T ro ub er t k ep t t he b ar on es s w ai ti ng

a m om ent b ef or e he c on se nt ed t o a dm it h er . N o c ou rt ie r a nd no

d ip lo mati st ever p ut i nt o a d is cu ss io n o f t heir p er so nal i nt er es ts o r

into the management of some great national negotiation more

shrewdness, dissimulation, and ability than the baroness and the

p ri es t d is pl ay ed w he n t he y m et f ac e t o f ac e f or t he s tr ug gl e.

L ik e t he s ec on ds o r s po ns or s w ho i n t he M id dl e A ge a rm ed t he c ha mp io n,

and s tr en gt hened h is v al or b y u sefu l cou ns el u nt il h e ent er ed t he

l is ts , s o t he s ly ol d f ox ha d s ai d t o t he ba rone ss a t t he l as t m ome nt:

" Do n' t f or ge t y ou r c ue . Y ou a re a m ed ia to r, a nd n ot a n i nt er es te d

p ar ty . T ro ub er t a ls o i s a m ed ia to r. W ei gh y ou r w or ds ; s tu dy t he

i nf le ct ion o f t he m an' s vo ic e. I f h e s tr oke s hi s c hi n y ou h ave g ot

him."

S om e s ketchers ar e f on d o f car icatu ri ng t he con tr as t o ft en o bs erv ab le

P a g e 8 9



b et we en " wh at i s s ai d" a nd " wh at i s t ho ug ht " b y t he s pe ak er . T o c at ch

t he f ul l m ea ni ng o f t he d ue l o f w or ds w hi ch n ow t ook p la ce b et we en t he

p ri es t a nd t he l ad y, i t i s n ec es sa ry t o u nv ei l t he t ho ug ht s t ha t e ac h

h id f ro m t he o th er u nd er s po ken s en tences o f app ar en t i ns ig ni fi cance.

Ma da me d e L is to me re b eg an b y e xp re ss in g t he r eg re t s he h ad f el t a t

B ir ot te au 's l aw su it ; a nd t he n w en t o n t o s pe ak o f h er d es ir e t o s et tl e

t he m at te r t o t he s at is fa ct io n o f b ot h p ar ti es .

" Th e ha rm i s d on e, m ad am e, " s ai d t he p ri es t, i n a g ra ve vo ic e. " The

pi ou s and excel lent M ad em oi sell e G am ar d i s d yi ng ." ( "I d on 't car e a

f ig for the ol d thing," t hought he , "but I m ea n to put her dea th on

your s ho ul de rs a nd h ar as s yo ur c ons ci enc e i f you a re s uc h a f oo l a s t o

listen to it.")

" On h eari ng o f h er i ll ness ," r ep li ed t he b ar on es s, " I ent reat ed

Monsieur Birotteau to relinquish his claims; I have brought the

d ocum en t, i nt en di ng t o g iv e i t t o t hat excel lent w om an ." ( "I s ee w hat

y ou m ean, y ou w il y s co un dr el ," t ho ug ht s he, " bu t w e are s af e n ow f ro m

y ou r cal um ni es . I f y ou t ak e t hi s d ocum en t y ou 'l l cut y ou r o wn f in gers

by admitting you are an accomplice.")

T he re w as s il en ce f or a m om en t.

" Mademo is el le G am ar d' s t em po ral aff ai rs d o n ot con cern m e, " s ai d t he

p r ie st a t l as t, l ow er in g t he l ar ge l id s o ve r h is e ag le e ye s t o v ei l

h is emo ti on s. ( "H o! h o! " t ho ug ht h e, " yo u can 't com pr om is e m e. T hank

P a g e 9 0



G od , t ho se d am ne d l aw ye rs w on 't d ar e t o p le ad a ny c au se t ha t c ou ld

s mi rc h m e. W ha t d o t he se L is to me re s e xp ec t t o g et b y c ro uc hi ng i n t hi s

way?")

"Monsieur," replied the baroness, "Monsieur Birotteau's affairs are no

m or e m in e t han t ho se o f M ad em oi sell e G am ar d are y ou rs ; b ut ,

u nf or tu nately , r el ig io n i s i nj ur ed b y s uch a q uarr el , and I com e t o

you a s a me di at or -- ju st a s I m ys el f a m s ee ki ng t o ma ke p ea ce ." ( "W e

are n ot d ecievi ng each o th er , M on si eu r T ro ub er t, " t ho ug ht s he. " Do n' t

y ou f ee l t he s ar ca sm o f t ha t a ns we r? ")

"Injury to religion, madame!" exclaimed the vicar-general. "Religion

i s t oo l of ty f or t he a ct ion s of m en t o i nj ur e. " ( "M y r el igi on i s I ,"

t ho ug ht h e. ) " Go d m ak es n o m is take i n H is j ud gm en ts , m ad am e; I

recognize no tribunal but His."

" Th en , m on si eu r, " s he r ep li ed , " let u s end eavo r t o b ri ng t he j ud gm en ts

of m en i nt o h ar mo ny w it h t he j ud gm en ts o f G od ." ( "Y es , i nd eed, y ou r

religion is you.")

T he A bb e T ro ub er t s ud denl y chang ed h is t on e.

" Yo ur n ep he w h as b ee n t o P ar is , I b el ie ve ." ( "Y ou f ou nd o ut a bo ut m e

t he re ," t ho ug ht h e; " yo u k no w n ow t ha t I c an c ru sh y ou , y ou w ho d ar ed

t o s li gh t m e, a nd y ou h av e c om e t o c ap it ul at e. ")

P a g e 9 1



" Ye s, m on si eu r; t ha nk yo u f or t he i nt er es t y ou t ake i n h im . H e r et ur ns

t o- ni gh t; t he m in is ter, w ho i s v er y con si derate o f u s, s en t f or h im ;

h e d oe s n ot w an t M on si eu r d e L is to me re t o l ea ve t he s er vi ce ."

( "J es ui t, y ou can 't cru sh u s, " t ho ug ht s he. " I u nd er st an d y ou r

civility.")

A moment's silence.

" I d id n ot t hi nk m y n ep hew' s con du ct i n t hi s aff ai r q ui te t he t hi ng ,"

s he a dd ed ; " bu t n av al m en m us t b e e xc us ed ; t he y k no w n ot hi ng o f l aw ."

( "C om e, w e h ad b et te r m ak e p ea ce ," t ho ug ht s he ; " we s ha 'n 't g ai n

anything by battling in this way.")

A s li gh t s mi le w an de re d o ve r t he p ri es ts f ac e a nd w as l os t i n i ts

wrinkles.

" He h as d on e u s t he s er vi ce o f g et ti ng a p ro pe r e st im at e o n t he v al ue

o f t ho se p ai nt in gs ," h e s ai d, l oo ki ng u p at t he p ictu res. " Th ey w il l

b e a n ob le o rn am en t t o t he c ha pe l o f t he V ir gi n. " ( "Y ou s ho t a s ar ca sm

a t m e, " t ho ug ht h e, " an d t he re 's a no th er i n r et ur n; w e a re q ui ts ,

madame.")

" If y ou i nt en d t o g iv e t hem t o S ai nt -G at ien, all ow m e t o o ff er f rames

t ha t w il l be mor e s ui ta bl e a nd wor th y of t he pl ac e, a nd of t he w or ks

t he ms el ve s. " ( "I w is h I c ou ld f or ce y ou t o b et ra y t ha t y ou h av e t ak en

P a g e 9 2



Birotteau's things for your own," thought she.)

" Th ey d o n ot b el on g t o m e, " s ai d t he p ri es t, o n h is g ua rd .

" Here i s t he d eed o f r el in qu is hm en t, " s ai d M ad am e d e L is to mere; " it

end s all d is cu ss io n, and m ak es t hem o ver t o M ad em oi sell e G am ar d. " S he

l ai d t he d oc um en t o n t he t ab le . ( "S ee t he c on fi de nc e I p la ce i n y ou ,"

t ho ug ht s he.) " It i s w or th y o f y ou , m on si eu r, " s he add ed , " wo rt hy o f

y ou r n ob le char act er , t o r econ ci le t wo C hr i st i an s, -- th ou gh at p resent

I am n ot esp eciall y con cern ed f or M on si eur B ir ot teau -- "

"He is living in your house," said Troubert, interrupting her.

" No , m on si eu r, h e i s n o l on ger t here." ( "T hat p eerage and m y n ep hew' s

p ro mo ti on f or ce m e t o d o b as e t hi ng s, " t ho ug ht s he.)

T he p ri es t r em ai ned i mp as si bl e, b ut h is cal m ext er io r w as an

indication of violent emotion. Monsieur Bourbonne alone had fathomed

t he s ecret o f t hat app ar en t t ranq ui ll it y. T he p ri es t h ad t ri um ph ed !

" Wh y d id y ou t ak e u po n y ou rs el f t o b ri ng t hat r el in qu is hm en t, " h e

a sk ed , w it h a f ee li ng a na log ous t o t ha t w hi ch i mp el s a w om an t o f is h

for compliments.

" I cou ld n ot avo id a f eeli ng o f com pass io n. B ir ot teau , w ho se f eebl e

P a g e 9 3



n at ur e m us t b e w el l k no wn t o y ou , e nt re at ed m e t o s ee M ad ae mo is el le

G am ar d a nd t o o bt ai n a s t he p ri ce o f h is r en un ci at io n- -"

The priest frowned.

"of rights upheld by distinguished lawyers, the portrait of--"

T ro ub er t l oo ked f ix ed ly at M ad am e d e L is t om er e.

" th e p or tr ai t o f C hapelo ud ," s he s ai d, con ti nu in g: " I l eave y ou t o

j ud ge o f h is c la im ." ( "Y ou w il l b e c er ta in t o l os e yo ur c as e i f w e g o

t o l aw , a nd y ou k no w i t, " t ho ug ht s he .)

T he t on e o f h er v oi ce as s he s ai d t he w or ds " di st in gu is hed l aw yers "

s ho we d t he p ri es t t ha t s he k ne w v er y w el l b ot h t he s tr en gt h a nd

w ea kn es s o f t he e ne my . S he m ad e h er t al en t s o p la in t o t hi s

con no is seur emeri tu s i n t he cou rs e o f a con vers at io n w hi ch l as ted a

l on g t im e i n t he t on e h er e g iv en , t hat T ro ub er t f in al ly w en t d ow n t o

M ad em oi s el le G am ar d t o o bt ai n h er ans wer t o B ir ot teau' s r equ es t f or

the portrait.

H e s o on r etu r ned.

" Ma da me ," h e s ai d, " I b ri ng y ou t he w or ds o f a d yi ng w om an . ' Th e A bb e

C ha pe lou d wa s s o t rue a f ri en d t o m e, ' s he s ai d, ' th at I c an not

co ns en t t o p ar t w it h h is p ic tu re .' A s f or m e, " a dd ed T ro ub er t, " if i t

P a g e 9 4



w er e m in e I w ou ld n ot y ie ld i t. M y f ee li ng s t o m y l at e f ri en d w er e s o

f ai thf ul t ha t I s ho ul d f ee l my r ig ht t o hi s p or tr ai t w as a bo ve t ha t of

others."

" We ll , t he re 's n o n ee d t o qu ar re l ov er a b ad pi ct ur e. " ( "I c ar e a s

l itt le a bout i t as you do," thought s he .) " Ke ep it , a nd I wi ll ha ve a

c op y m ad e o f i t. I t ak e s om e c re di t t o m ys el f f or h av in g a ve rt ed t hi s

d ep lo rabl e l aw su it ; and I h av e g ai ned, p er so nall y, t he p leas ur e o f

y ou r a cq ua in ta nc e. I h ea r y ou h av e a g re at t al en t f or w hi st . Y ou w il l

forgive a woman for curiosity," she said, smiling. "If you will come

and p lay at m y h ou se s om et im es y ou can no t d ou bt y ou r w el co me."

Troubert stroked his chin. ("Caught! Bourbonne was right!" thought

s he; " he h as h is q uant um o f v an it y! ")

It was true. The vicar-general was feeling the delightful sensation

w hi ch M ir ab ea u w as u na bl e t o s ub du e w he n i n t he d ay s o f h is p ow er h e

f ou nd g at es o pe ni ng t o h is c ar ri ag e w hi ch w er e b ar re d t o h im i n

earlier days.

"Madame," he replied, "my avocations prevent my going much into

s oc ie ty; bu t f or y ou, w ha t w il l n ot a m an do ?" ( "T he o ld m ai d i s go in g

t o d ie ; I 'l l g et a f oo ti ng a t t he L is to me re 's , a nd s er ve t he m i f t he y

s er ve m e, " t hou gh t h e. " It i s b et te r t o h av e t he m f or f ri end s t ha n

enemies.")

P a g e 9 5



M ad am e d e L is to mere w en t h om e, h op in g t hat t he archb is ho p w ou ld

com pl et e t he w or k o f p eace s o aus pi ci ou sl y b eg un . B ut B ir ot teau w as

fated to gain nothing by his relinquishment. Mademoiselle Gamard died

t he ne xt da y. No one f el t s ur pr is ed wh en he r wi ll wa s o pe ne d t o f ind

t ha t s he h ad l ef t e ve ry th in g t o t he A bb e T ro ub er t. H er f or tu ne w as

ap pr ai s ed at t hr ee h un dr ed t ho us an d f rancs . T he v icar- gener al s ent t o

M ad am e d e L is to me re t wo n ot es o f i nv it at io n f or t he s er vi ce s a nd f or

t he f un er al p ro ce ss io n o f h is f ri end ; o ne f or h er se lf a nd o ne f or he r

nephew.

" We m us t g o, " s he s ai d.

" It c an' t b e he lpe d," s ai d M on si eur de Bo ur bonn e. " It i s a t es t t o

w hi ch T ro ub er t p ut s y ou . B ar on , y ou m us t g o t o t he c em et er y, " h e

add ed , t ur ni ng t o t he l ieut en an t, w ho , u nl ucki ly f or h im , h ad n ot l ef t

Tours.

T he s er vi ces t oo k p lace, and w er e p er fo rm ed w it h u nu su al

ecclesi as ti cal m ag ni fi cence. O nl y o ne p er so n w ep t, and t hat w as

B ir ot te au , w ho , k ne el in g i n a s id e c ha pe l a nd s ee n b y n on e, b el ie ve d

h im self g ui lt y o f t he d eath and p rayed s in cerely f or t he s ou l o f t he

d e ce as ed , b it te rl y d ep lo ri ng t ha t h e w as n ot a bl e t o o bt ai n h er

forgiveness before she died.

T he A bb e T ro ub er t f ol lo we d t he b od y o f h is f ri en d t o t he g ra ve ; a t t he

P a g e 9 6



v er ge o f w hi ch h e d el ive re d a d is co ur se i n w hi ch , t ha nks t o h is

e lo qu en ce , t he n ar ro w l if e t he o ld m ai d h ad l iv ed w as e nl ar ge d t o

m on um en tal p ro po rt io ns . T ho se p resent t oo k p ar ti cu lar n ot e o f t he

following words in the peroration:--

" Th is l if e o f d ay s d ev ot ed t o G od a nd t o H is r el ig io n, a l if e a do rn ed

w it h n ob le act io ns s il en tl y p er fo rm ed , and w it h m od es t and h id den

v ir tu es , w as c ru sh ed b y a s or ro w w hi ch w e m ig ht c al l u nde se rv ed i f w e

cou ld f or get, h er e at t he v er ge o f t hi s g rave, t hat o ur aff li ct io ns

ar e s en t b y G od . T he n um er ou s f ri en ds o f t hi s s ai nt ly w om an , k no wi ng

t he i nn ocen ce and n ob il it y o f h er s ou l, f or es aw t hat s he w ou ld i ss ue

s af el y f ro m h er t ri al s i n s pi te o f t he accus at io ns w hi ch b last ed h er

l if e. I t m ay be t ha t Pr ovi de nc e ha s c al le d he r t o t he bo som of G od t o

w it hd ra w h er f ro m t ho se t ri al s. H ap py t he y w ho c an r es t h er e b el ow i n

t he pe ac e of t he ir o wn he ar ts a s So phi e n ow i s r es ti ng i n he r r obe of

innocence among the blest."

" Wh en h e h ad end ed h is p om po us d is co ur se," s ai d M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne,

aft er r el at in g t he i ncid en ts o f t he i nt er nm en t t o M ad am e d e L is to mere

w he n w hi st w as o ve r, t he d oo rs s hu t, a nd t he y w er e a lo ne w it h t he

b ar on , " th is L ou is X I. i n a cas so ck -- im ag in e h im i f y ou can !- -g av e a

l as t f lo ur is h t o t he s pr in kl er and asp er sed t he cof fi n w it h h ol y

w at er ." M on si eu r d e B ou rb on ne p icked u p t he t on gs and i mi t at ed t he

p ri es t' s g es tu re s o s at ir ic al ly t ha t t he b ar on a nd h is a un t c ou ld n ot

help laughing. "Not until then," continued the old gentleman, "did he

P a g e 9 7



con tr ad ict h im self . U p t o t hat t im e h is b eh av io r h ad b een p er fect ; b ut

i t wa s no doubt i mposs ibl e f or hi m t o put t he old m ai d, whom he

d es pi se d s o h ea rt il y a nd h at ed a lm os t a s m uc h a s h e h at ed C ha pe lo ud ,

o ut of s ig ht f or ev er w it ho ut a ll ow ing h is j oy t o a pp ea r i n t ha t l as t

gesture."

T he n ex t d ay M ad em oi sell e S al om on cam e t o b reakf as t w it h M ad am e d e

L i st om er e, chi ef ly t o s ay , w it h d eep emo ti on : " Ou r p oo r A bb e B ir ot teau

h as j us t r ecei ved a f ri gh tf ul b lo w, w hi ch s ho ws t he m os t d et er mi ned

hatred. He is appointed curate of Saint-Symphorien."

S ai nt -S ym ph or ien i s a s ub ur b o f T ou rs l yi ng b ey on d t he b ri dg e. T hat

b ri dg e, o ne o f t he f in es t m on um en ts o f F rench archi tect ur e, i s

n in et een h un dr ed f eet l on g, and t he t wo o pen s qu ar es w hi ch s ur ro un d

e ac h e nd a re p re ci se ly a li ke .

" Don' t you s ee t he m is er y of i t? " s he s ai d, a ft er a p aus e, a ma ze d a t

t he c ol dn es s w it h w hi ch M ad am e d e L is to me re r ec ei ve d t he n ew s. " It i s

j us t a s i f t he a bb e w er e a h un dr ed m il es f ro m T ou rs , f ro m h is f ri en ds ,

f r om every th in g! I t i s a f ri gh tf ul exi le, and all t he m or e cru el

b ec au se h e i s k ep t w it hi n s ig ht o f t he t ow n w he re h e c an h ar dl y e ve r

c om e. S in ce h is t ro ub le s he w al ks v er y f ee bl y, y et h e w il l h av e t o

wa lk t hr ee mi le s t o s ee hi s ol d f ri ends . He ha s t ake n t o hi s be d, j us t

n ow , w it h f ev er . T he p ar so nage at S ai nt -S ym ph or ien i s v er y col d and

da mp, a nd t he pa ri sh i s t oo po or t o r ep ai r i t. Th e poo r o ld m an w il l

be b ur ie d i n a l iv ing t om b. O h, i t i s a n i nf am ou s pl ot !"

P a g e 9 8



To e nd t hi s h is tor y i t wi ll s uf fi ce t o r el at e a f ew e ve nt s i n a s im pl e

wa y, a nd t o g iv e o ne l as t p ic tu re o f i ts c hi ef p er so na ge s.

F iv e m on th s l at er t he v icar -g en er al w as m ad e B is ho p o f T ro yes; and

M adame d e L is to mere w as d ead, l eavi ng an ann ui ty o f f if teen h un dr ed

f ra nc s t o t he A bb e B ir ot te au . T he d ay o n w hi ch t he d is po si ti on s i n h er

w il l w er e m ad e k no wn M on seig neur H yaci nt he, B is ho p o f T ro yes, w as o n

th e p oi nt o f l ea vi ng T ou rs t o r es id e i n h is d io ce se , b ut h e d el ay ed

h is d ep ar tu re o n r ec ei vi ng t he n ew s. F ur io us a t b ei ng f oi le d by a

w om an t o w hom h e ha d l at el y g iv en h is c ou nt en an ce w hi le s he h ad b ee n

s ec re tl y ho ld ing t he h an d o f a m an w ho m h e r eg ar de d a s h is e ne my ,

T ro ub er t agai n t hr eat ened t he b ar on 's f ut ur e car eer , and p ut i n

j eopa rd y t he pe er age of h is u nc le . H e m ade i n t he s al on of t he

archb is ho p, and b ef or e an as semb led p ar t y, o ne o f t ho se p ri es t ly

s peeches w hi ch are b ig w it h v en gean ce and s of t w it h h on ied m il dn es s.

T he B ar on d e L is to me re w en t t he n ex t d ay t o s ee t hi s i mp la ca bl e e ne my ,

w ho m us t h av e i mp os ed s un dr y h ar d con di ti on s o n h im , f or t he b ar on 's

s u bs eq uent con du ct s ho wed t he m os t ent ir e s ub mi ss io n t o t he w il l o f

the terrible Jesuit.

T he n ew b is ho p m ad e o ve r M ad em oi se ll e G am ar d' s h ou se b y d ee d o f g if t

t o t he C ha pt er o f t he c at he dr al ; h e g av e C ha pe lo ud 's b oo ks a nd

b oo kc as es t o t he s em in ar y; h e p re se nt ed t he t wo d is pu te d p ic tu re s t o

t he C ha pe l o f t he V ir gi n; b ut h e k ep t C ha pe lo ud 's p or tr ai t. N o o ne

P a g e 9 9



knew how to explain this almost total renunciation of Mademoiselle

G am ard ' s b eq ues t. M on si eur d e B ou rb on ne s u pp os ed t hat t h e b is ho p h ad

s ec re tl y k ep t m on ey s t ha t w er e i nv es te d, s o a s t o s up po rt h is r an k

w it h d ig ni ty i n P ar is , w he re o f c ou rs e h e w ou ld t ak e h is s ea t o n t he

B is ho ps ' b en ch i n t he U pp er C ha mb er . I t w as n ot u nt il t he n ig ht b ef or e

M on seig neur T ro ub er t' s d ep ar tu re f ro m T ou rs t hat t he s ly o ld f ox

u near th ed t he h id den r easo n o f t hi s s tr an ge act io n, t he d eath bl ow

gi ven b y t he m os t p er si st en t v en gean ce t o t he f eebl es t o f v icti ms .

M ad am e d e L is to me re 's l eg ac y t o B ir ot te au w as c on te st ed b y t he B ar on

d e L is to mere u nd er a p retence o f u nd ue i nf lu en ce!

A f ew d ay s a ft er t he c as e wa s br oug ht t he b ar on w as pr om ot ed t o t he

r an k o f cap tain . A s a m easu re o f ecclesi as ti cal d is ci pl in e, t he cur at e

of Saint-Symphorien was suspended. His superiors judged him guilty.

T he m ur derer o f S op hi e G am ar d w as als o a s wi nd ler. I f M on seig neur

T ro ub er t h ad k ep t M ad em oi s el le G am ar d' s p ro pert y h e w ou ld h av e f ou nd

it difficult to make the ecclestiastical authorities censure

Birotteau.

A t t he m om en t w hen M on seig neur H yaci nt he, B is ho p o f T ro yes, d ro ve

a lo ng t he q ua y S ai nt -S ym ph or ie n i n a p os t- ch ai se o n h is w ay t o P ar is

poo r B ir ot te au h ad be en pl ac ed i n a n a rmc ha ir i n t he s un o n a t er ra ce

a bo ve t he r oa d. T he u nh ap py p ri es t, s mi tt en b y t he a rc hb is ho p, w as

p al e a nd h ag ga rd . G ri ef , s ta mp ed o n e ve ry f ea tu re , d is to rt ed t he f ac e

t hat w as o nce s o m il dl y g ay . I ll ness h ad d im med h is eyes, f or merl y

b ri gh tened b y t he p leas ur es o f g oo d l iv in g and d ev oi d o f s er io us

P a g e 1 0 0



i deas , w it h a v ei l w hi ch s im ul at ed t ho ug ht . I t w as b ut t he s keleto n o f

t he o ld B ir ot te au w ho h ad r ol le d o nl y o ne y ea r e ar li er s o v ac uo us b ut

s o c on te nt a lo ng t he C lo is te r. T he b is ho p c as t o ne l oo k o f p it y a nd

con temp t u po n h is v icti m; t hen h e con sent ed t o f or get h im , and w en t

h i s w ay .

T he re i s n o d ou bt t ha t T ro ub er t w ou ld h av e b ee n i n o th er t im es a

Hi ld eb ra nd o r a n A le xa nd er t he S ix th . I n t he se d ay s t he C hu rc h i s n o

l o ng er a p ol it ic al p ow er , a nd d oe s n ot a bs or b t he w ho le s tr en gt h o f

h er s ol it ar ies. C el ib acy, h ow ev er , p resent s t he i nh er en t v ice o f

concentating the faculties of man upon a single passion, egotism,

w hi ch r en ders cel ib at es eit her u seless o r m is ch ievo us . W e l iv e at a

pe ri od w he n t he d ef ec t o f g ov er nm en ts i s t o m ak e M an f or S oc ie ty

r at he r t ha n S oc ie ty f or M an . T he re i s a p er pe tu al s tr ug gl e g oi ng o n

b et ween t he I nd iv id ual and t he S ocial s ys tem w hi ch i ns is ts o n u si ng

h im , w hi le h e i s e nd ea vo ri ng t o u se i t t o hi s o wn pr of it ; w he re as , i n

f o rm er d ay s, m an , r ea ll y m or e f re e, w as a ls o m or e l oy al t o t he p ub li c

w ea l. T he r ou nd i n w hi ch m en s tr ugg le i n t he se d ay s h as b ee n

i ns en si bl y w id ene d; t he s ou l w hi ch c an g ra sp i t a s a w ho le w il l e ve r

b e a m ag ni fi ce nt e xc ep ti on; f or , a s a g en er al t hi ng , i n m or al s a s i n

physics, impulsion loses in intensity what it gains in extension.

S oc ie ty c an n ot b e b as ed o n e xc ep ti on s. M an i n t he f ir st i ns ta nc e w as

p ur el y and s im pl y, f at her; h is h eart b eat w ar ml y, con cent rated i n t he

o ne r ay of Fa mi ly . La te r, h e l ive d f or a c la n, o r a s ma ll c om mu ni ty ;

h en ce t he g re at h is to ri ca l d ev ot io ns o f G re ec e a nd R om e. A ft er t ha t h e

P a g e 1 0 1



w as a ma n of c as te or of a r el igi on, t o ma int ain t he gr ea tne ss of

w hi ch h e o ft en p ro ved h im self s ub li me; b ut b y t hat t im e t he f ield o f

his interests became enlarged by many intellectual regions. In our

da y, h is l if e i s a tt ac he d t o t ha t of a va st c ou nt ry ; s oone r or l at er

h is f am il y w il l b e, i t i s p redi ct ed , t he ent ir e u ni vers e.

W il l t hi s m or al cos mo po li tani sm , t he h op e o f C hr is ti an R om e, p ro ve t o

be onl y a s ubl ime e rr or ? I t is so na tur al t o be li eve in the

r eali zati on o f a n ob le v is io n, i n t he B ro th er ho od o f M an . B ut , alas!

t h e h um an m achi ne d oes n ot h av e s uch d iv in e p ro po rt io ns . S ou ls t hat

a re v as t e no ug h t o g ra sp a r an ge o f f ee li ng s b es to we d o n g re at m en

o nl y w il l n ev er b el on g t o eit her f at hers o f f am il ies o r s im pl e

citizens. Some physiologists have thought that as the brain enlarges

t he h ea rt n ar ro ws ; b ut t he y a re m is ta ke n. T he a pp ar en t e go ti sm o f m en

who be ar a sc ience, a na tion, a code of la ws i n their bosom is the

n ob le st o f p as si on s; i t i s, a s o ne m ay s ay , t he m at er ni ty o f t he

m as se s; t o g iv e b ir th t o n ew p eo pl es , t o p ro du ce n ew i de as t he y m us t

u ni te w it hi n t heir m ig ht y b rain s t he b reas ts o f w om an and t he f or ce o f

G od . T he h is to ry o f s uc h m en a s I nn oc en t t he T hi rd a nd P et er t he

Gr ea t, a nd a ll g re at l ea de rs o f t he ir a ge a nd n at io n w il l s ho w, i f

n e ed b e, i n t he h ig he st s ph er es t he s am e v as t t ho ugh t o f w hi ch

T ro ub er t w as m ad e t he r ep re se nt at iv e i n t he q ui et d ep th s o f t he

Cloister of Saint-Gatien.

P a g e 1 0 2



ADDENDUM

T he f ol lo wi ng p er so nages app ear i n o th er s to ri es o f t he H um an C om ed y.

Birotteau, Abbe Francois Troubert, Abbe Hyacinthe

The Li ly of t he Va lle y T he M em be r f or A rc is

Cesar Birotteau

Villenoix, Pauline Salomon de

Bourbonne, De Louis Lambert

Madame Firmiani A Seaside Tragedy

Listomere, Baronne de

Cesar Birotteau

T he M us e o f t he D ep ar tm en t

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