JustthenagendarmeenteredthesalontoaskifhemightbringinMichu’sson，sentbyhisfathertospeaktothegentlemenfromParis。
Corentingaveanaffirmativenod。FrancoisMichu，aslylittlechipoftheoldblock，wasinthecourtyard，whereGothard，nowatliberty，gotachancetospeaktohimforaninstantundertheeyesofagendarme。ThelittlefellowmanagedtoslipsomethingintoGothard’shandwithoutbeingdetected，andthelatterglidedintothesalonafterhimtillhereachedhismistress，towhomhestealthilyconveyedbothhalvesofthewedding-ring，asuresign，sheknew，thatMichuhadmetthefourgentlemenandputtheminsafety。
\"Mypapawantstoknowwhathe’stodowiththecorporal，whoain’tdoingwell，\"saidFrancois。
\"What’sthematterwithhim？\"askedPeyrade。
\"It’shishead——hepitcheddownhardontheground，\"repliedtheboy。
\"Foragindarmewhoknowshowtorideitwasbadluck——Isupposethehorsestumbled。He’sgotahole——my！asbigasyourfist——inthebackofhishead。Seemsasifhemusthavehitsomebigstone，poorman！Hemaybeagindarme，buthesuffersallthesame——you’dpityhim。\"
Thecaptainofthegendarmerienowarrivedanddismountedinthecourtyard。Corentinthrewupthewindow，nottolosetime。
\"Whathasbeendone？\"
\"WearebackliketheDutchmen！Wefoundnothingbutfivedeadhorses，theircoatsstiffwithsweat，inthemiddleoftheforest。Ihavekeptthemtofindoutwheretheycamefromandwhoownsthem。Theforestissurrounded；whoeverisinitcan’tgetout。\"
\"Atwhathourdoyousupposethosehorsemenenteredtheforest？\"
\"Abouthalf-pasttwelve。\"
\"Don’tletahareleavethatforestwithoutyourseeingit，\"whisperedCorentin。\"I’llstationPeyradeatthevillagetohelpyou；Iamgoingtoseethecorporalmyself——Gotothemayor’shouse，\"headded，stillwhispering，toPeyrade。\"I’llsendsomeablemantorelieveyou。Weshallhavetomakeuseofthecountry-people；examineallfaces。\"Heturnedtowardsthefamilyandsaidinathreateningtone，\"Aurevoir！\"
Noonereplied，andthetwoagentslefttheroom。
\"WhatwouldFouchesayifheknewwehadmadeadomiciliaryvisitwithoutgettinganyresults？\"remarkedPeyradeashehelpedCorentinintotheosiervehicle。
\"Itisn’toveryet，\"repliedtheother，\"thosefouryoungmenareintheforest。Lookthere！\"andhepointedtoLaurencewhowaswatchingthemfromawindow。\"Ioncerevengedmyselfonawomanwhowasworthadozenofthatoneandhadstirredmybileagooddealless。IfthisgirlcomesinthewayofmyhatchetI’llpayherforthelashofthatwhip。\"
\"Theotherwasastrumpet，\"saidPeyrade；\"thisonehasrank。\"
\"Whatdifferenceisthattome？All’sfishthatswimsinthesea，\"
repliedCorentin，signingtothegendarmewhodrovehimtowhipup。
TenminuteslaterthechateaudeCinq-Cygnewascompletelyevacuated。
\"Howdidtheygetridofthecorporal？\"saidLaurencetoFrancoisMichu，whomshehadorderedtositdownandeatsomebreakfast。
\"MyfathertoldmeitwasamatteroflifeanddeathandImustn’tletanybodygetintoourhouse，\"repliedtheboy。\"IknewwhenIheardthehorsesintheforestthatI’dgottodowiththemhoundsofgindarmes，andImeanttokeep’emfromgettingin。SoItooksomebigropesthatwereinmygarretandfastenedoneof’emtoatreeatthecorneroftheroad。ThenIdrewtheropehighenoughtohitthebreastofamanonhorseback，andtiedittothetreeontheoppositesideofthewayinthedirectionwhereIheardthehorses。Thatbarredtheroad。Itdidn’tmissfire，Icantellyou！Therewasnomoon，andthecorporaljustpitched！——buthewasn’tkilled；they’retough，themgindarmes！I
didwhatIcould。\"
\"Youhavesavedus！\"saidLaurence，kissinghimasshetookhimtothegate。Whenthere，shelookedaboutherandseeingnooneshesaidcautiously，\"Havetheyprovisions？\"
\"Ihavejusttakenthemtwelvepoundsofbreadandfourbottlesofwine，\"saidtheboy。\"They’llbesnugforaweek。\"
Returningtothesalon，thegirlwasbesetwithmutequestionsintheeyesofall，eachofwhomlookedatherwithasmuchadmirationaseagerness。
\"Buthaveyoureallyseenthem？\"criedMadamed’Hauteserre。
Thecountessputafingeronherlipsandsmiled；thenshelefttheroomandwenttobed；hertriumphsure，utterwearinesshadovertakenher。
TheshortestroadfromCinq-CygnetoMichu’slodgewasthatwhichledfromthevillagepastthefarmatBellachetothe/rond-point/wheretheParisianspieshadfirstseenMichuontheprecedingevening。ThegendarmewhowasdrivingCorentintookthisway，whichwastheonethecorporalofArcishadtaken。Astheydrovealong，theagentwasonthelook-outforsignstoshowwhythecorporalhadbeenunhorsed。Heblamedhimselfforhavingsentbutonemanonsoimportantanerrand，andhedrewfromthismistakeanaxiomforthepoliceCode，whichheafterwardsapplied。
\"Iftheyhavegotridofthecorporal，\"hesaidtohimself，\"theyhavedoneasmuchbyViolette。ThosefivehorseshaveevidentlybroughtthefourconspiratorsandMichufromtheneighborhoodofParistotheforest。HasMichuahorse？\"heinquiredofthegendarmewhowasdrivinghimandwhobelongedtothesquadfromArcis。
\"Yes，andafamouslittlehorseitis，\"answeredtheman，\"ahunterfromthestablesoftheci-devantMarquisdeSimeuse。There’snobetterbeast，thoughitisnearlyfifteenyearsold。Michucanridehimfiftymilesandhewon’tturnahair。Hetakesmightygoodcareofhimandwouldn’tsellhimatanyprice。\"
\"Whatdoesthehorselooklike？\"
\"He’sbrown，turningrathertoblack；whitestockingsabovethehoofs，thin，allnerveslikeanArab。\"
\"DidyoueverseeanArab？\"
\"InEgypt——lastyear。I’veriddenthehorsesofthemamelukes。Wehavetoservetwelveyearsinthecavalry，andIwasontheRhineunderGeneralSteingel，afterthatinItaly，andthenIfollowedtheFirstConsultoEgypt。I’llbeacorporalsoon。\"
\"WhenIgettoMichu’shousegotothestable；ifyouhaveservedtwelveyearsinthecavalryyouknowwhenahorseisblown。LetmeknowtheconditionofMichu’sbeast。\"
\"See！that’swhereourcorporalwasthrown，\"saidtheman，pointingtoaspotwheretheroadtheywerefollowingenteredthe/rond-point/。
\"TellthecaptaintocomeandpickmeupatMichu’s，andI’llgowithhimtoTroyes。\"
SosayingCorentingotdown，andstoodaboutforafewminutesexaminingtheground。Helookedatthetwoelmswhichfacedeachother，——oneagainsttheparkwall，theotheronthebankofthe/rond-
point/；thenhesawwhatnoonehadyetnoticedthebuttonofauniformlyinginthedust，andhepickeditup。EnteringthelodgehesawVioletteandMichusittingatthetableinthekitchenandtalkingeagerly。Violetterose，bowedtoCorentin，andofferedhimsomewine。
\"Thankyou，no；Icametoseethecorporal，\"saidtheyoungman，whosawwithhalfaglancethatViolettehadbeendrunkallnight。
\"Mywifeisnursinghimupstairs，\"saidMichu。
\"Well，corporal，howareyou？\"saidCorentinwhohadrunupthestairsandfoundthegendarmewithhisheadbandaged，andlyingonMadameMichu’sbed；hishat，sabre，andshoulder-beltonachair。
Marthe，faithfulinherwomanlyinstincts，andknowingnothingofherson’sprowess，wasgivingallhercaretothecorporal，assistedbyhermother。
\"WeexpectMonsieurVarletthedoctorfromArcis，\"shesaidtoCorentin；\"ourservant-ladhasgonetofetchhim。\"
\"Leaveusaloneforamoment，\"saidCorentin，agooddealsurprisedatthescene，whichamplyprovedtheinnocenceofthetwowomen。\"Wherewereyoustruck？\"heaskedtheman，examininghisuniform。
\"Onthebreast，\"repliedthecorporal。
\"Let’sseeyourbelt，\"saidCorentin。
Ontheyellowbandwithawhiteedge，whicharecentregulationhadmadepartoftheequipmentoftheguardnowcalledNational，wasametalplateagooddeallikethatoftheforesters，onwhichthelawrequiredtheinscriptionoftheseremarkablewords:\"Respecttopersonsandtoproperties。\"Francois’sropehadstruckthebeltanddefacedit。Corentintookupthecoatandfoundtheplacewherethebuttonhehadpickedupupontheroadbelonged。
\"Whattimedidtheyfindyou？\"askedCorentin。
\"Aboutdaybreak。\"
\"Didtheybringyouuphereatonce？\"saidCorentin，noticingthatthebedhadnotbeensleptin。
\"Yes。\"
\"Whobroughtyouup？\"
\"ThewomenandlittleMichu，whofoundmeunconscious。\"
\"So！\"thoughtCorentin:\"evidentlytheydidn’tgotobed。Thecorporalwasnotshotat，norstruckbyanyweapon，foranassailantmusthavebeenathisownheighttostrikeablow。Something，someobstacle，wasinhiswayandthatunhorsedhim。Apieceofwood？notpossible！anironchain？thatwouldhaveleftmarks。Whatdidyoufeel？\"hesaidaloud。
\"Iwasknockedoversosuddenly——\"
\"Theskinisrubbedoffunderyourchin，\"saidCorentinquickly。
\"Ithink，\"saidthecorporal，\"thataropedidgoovermyface。\"
\"Ihaveit！\"criedCorentin；\"somebodytiedaropefromtreetotreetobartheway。\"
\"Likeenough，\"repliedthecorporal。
Corentinwentdownstairstothekitchen。
\"Come，youoldrascal，\"MichuwassayingtoViolette，\"let’smakeanendofthis。Onehundredthousandfrancsfortheplace，andyouaremasterofmywholeproperty。Ishallretireonmyincome。\"
\"Itellyou，asthere’saGodinheaven，Ihaven’tmorethansixtythousand。\"
\"Butdon’tIofferyoutimetopaytherest？You’vekeptmeheresinceyesterday，arguingit。Thelandisinprimeorder。\"
\"Yes，thesoilisgood，\"saidViolette。
\"Wife，somemorewine，\"criedMichu。
\"Haven’tyoudrunkenough？\"calleddownMarthe’smother。\"Thisisthefourteenthbottlesincenineo’clockyesterday。\"
\"Youhavebeenheresincenineo’clockthismorning，haven’tyou？\"
saidCorentintoViolette。
\"No，begyourpardon，sincelastnightIhaven’tlefttheplace，andI’vegainednothingafterall；themorehemakesmedrinkthemoreheputsuptheprice。\"
\"Inallmarketshewhoraiseshiselbowraisesaprice，\"saidCorentin。
Adozenemptybottlesrangedalongthetableprovedthetruthoftheoldwoman’swords。JustthenthegendarmewhohaddrivenhimmadeasigntoCorentin，whowenttothedoortospeaktohim。
\"Thereisnohorseinthestable，\"saidtheman。
\"Yousentyourboyonhorsebacktothechateau，didn’tyou？\"saidCorentin，returningtothekitchen。\"Willhebebacksoon？\"
\"No，monsieur，\"saidMichu，\"hewentonfoot。\"
\"Whathaveyoudonewithyourhorse，then？\"
\"Ihavelenthim，\"saidMichu，curtly。
\"Comeouthere，mygoodfellow，\"saidCorentin；\"I’veawordforyourear。\"
CorentinandMichuleftthehouse。
\"Thegunwhichyouwereloadingyesterdayatfouro’clockyoumeanttouseinmurderingtheCouncillorofState；butwecan’ttakeyouupforthat——plentyofintention，butnowitnesses。Youmanaged，Idon’tknowhow，tostupefyViolette，andyouandyourwifeandthatyoungrascalofyoursspentthenightoutofdoorstowarnMademoiselledeCinq-
Cygneandsavehercousins，whomyouarehidinghere，——thoughIdon’tasyetknowwhere。Yoursonoryourwifethrewthecorporaloffhishorsecleverlyenough。Well，you’vegotthebetterofusjustnow；
you’readevilofafellow。Buttheendisnotyet，andyouwon’thavethelastword。Hadn’tyoubettercompromise？yourmasterswouldbethebetterforit。\"
\"Comethisway，wherewecantalkwithoutbeingoverheard，\"saidMichu，leadingthewaythroughtheparktothepond。
WhenCorentinsawthewaterhelookedfixedlyatMichu，whowasnodoubtreckoningonhisphysicalstrengthtoflingthespyintosevenfeetofmudbelowthreefeetofwater。Michurepliedwithalookthatwasnotlessfixed。Thescenewasabsolutelyasifacoldandflabbyboaconstrictorhaddefiedoneofthosetawny，fierceleopardsofBrazil。
\"Iamnotthirsty，\"saidCorentin，stoppingshortattheedgeofthefieldandputtinghishandintohispockettofeelforhisdagger。
\"Weshallnevercometoterms，\"saidMichu，coldly。
\"Mindwhatyou’reabout，mygoodfellow；thelawhasitseyeuponyou。\"
\"Ifthelawcan’tseeanyclearerthanyou，there’sdangertoeveryone，\"saidthebailiff。
\"Doyourefuse？\"saidCorentin，inasignificanttone。
\"I’dratherhavemyheadcutoffathousandtimes，ifthatcouldbedone，thancometoanagreementwithsuchavillainasyou。\"
Corentingotintohisvehiclehastily，afteronemorecomprehensivelookatMichu，thelodge，andCouraut，whobarkedathim。HegavecertainordersinpassingthroughTroyes，andthenreturnedtoParis。
Allthebrigadesofgendarmerieintheneighborhoodreceivedsecretinstructionsandspecialorders。
DuringthemonthsofDecember，January，andFebruarythesearchwasactiveandincessant，eveninremotevillages。Spieswereinallthetaverns。Corentinlearnedsomeimportantfacts:ahorselikethatofMichuhadbeenfounddeadintheneighborhoodofLagny；thefivehorsesburnedintheforestofNodesmehadbeensold，forfivehundredfrancseach，byfarmersandmillerstoamanwhoansweredtothedescriptionofMichu。WhenthedecreeagainsttheaccomplicesandharborersofGeorgeswasputinforceCorentinconfinedhissearchtotheforestofNodesme。AfterMoreau，theroyalists，andPichegruwerearrestednostrangerswereeverseenabouttheplace。
Michulosthissituationatthattime；thenotaryofArcisbroughthimaletterinwhichMalin，nowmadesenator，requestedGrevintosettleallaccountswiththebailiffanddismisshim。Michuaskedandobtainedaformaldischargeandbecameafreeman。TothegreatastonishmentoftheneighborhoodhewenttoliveatCinq-Cygne，whereLaurencemadehimthefarmerofallthereservedlandaboutthechateau。ThedayofhisinstallationasfarmercoincidedwiththefataldayofthedeathoftheDucd’Enghien，whennearlythewholeofFranceheardatthesametimeofthearrest，trial，condemnation，anddeathoftheprince，——terriblereprisals，whichprecededthetrialofPolignac，Riviere，andMoreau。
PARTII
CHAPTERX
ONEANDTHESAME，YETATWO-FOLDLOVE
Whilethenewfarm-housewasbeingbuiltMichutheJudas，so-called，andhisfamilyoccupiedtheroomsoverthestablesatCinq-Cygneonthesideofthechateaunexttothefamousbreach。Heboughttwohorses，oneforhimselfandoneforFrancois，andtheybothjoinedGothardinaccompanyingMademoiselledeCinq-Cygneinhermanyrides，whichhadfortheirobject，asmaywellbeimagined，thefeedingofthefourgentlemenandperpetualwatchingthattheywerestillinsafety。FrancoisandGothard，assistedbyCourautandthecountess’sdogs，wentinfrontandbeatthewoodsallaroundthehiding-placetomakesurethattherewasnoonewithinsight。LaurenceandMichucarriedtheprovisionswhichMarthe，hermother，andCatherineprepared，unknowntotheotherservantsofthehouseholdsoastorestrictthesecrettothemselves，forallweresurethattherewerespiesinthevillage。Theseexpeditionswerenevermadeoftenerthantwiceaweekandondifferentdaysandatdifferenthours，sometimesbyday，sometimesbynight。
TheseprecautionslasteduntilthetrialofRiviere，Polignac，andMoreauended。Whenthesenatus-consultum，whichcalledthedynastyofBonapartetothethroneandnominatedNapoleonasEmperoroftheFrench，wassubmittedtotheFrenchpeopleforacceptanceMonsieurd’HauteserresignedthepaperGoulardbroughthim。WhenitwasmadeknownthatthePopewouldcometoFrancetocrowntheEmperor，MademoiselledeCinq-Cygnenolongeropposedthegeneraldesirethathercousinsandtheyoungd’Hauteserresshouldpetitiontohavetheirnamesstruckoffthelistof/emigres/，andbethemselvesreinstatedintheirrightsascitizens。Onthis，oldd’HauteserrewenttoParisandconsultedtheci-devantMarquisdeChargeboeufwhoknewTalleyrand。Thatminister，theninfavor，conveyedthepetitiontoJosephine，andJosephinegaveittoherhusband，whowasaddressedasEmperor，Majesty，Sire，beforetheresultofthepopularvotewasknown。MonsieurdeChargeboeuf，Monsieurd’Hauteserre，andtheAbbeGoujet，whoalsowenttoParis，obtainedaninterviewwithTalleyrand，whopromisedthemhissupport。Napoleonhadalreadypardonedseveraloftheprincipalactorsinthegreatroyalistconspiracy；andyet，thoughthefourgentlemenweremerelysuspectedofcomplicity，theEmperor，afterameetingoftheCouncilofState，calledthesenatorMalin，Fouche，Talleyrand，Cambaceres，Lebrun，andDubois，prefectofpolice，intohiscabinet。
\"Gentlemen，\"saidthefutureEmperor，whostillworethedressoftheFirstConsul，\"wehavereceivedfromtheSieursdeSimeuseandd’Hauteserre，officersinthearmyofthePrincedeConde，arequesttobeallowedtore-enterFrance。\"
\"Theyareherenow，\"saidFouche。
\"LikemanyotherswhomImeetinParis，\"remarkedTalleyrand。
\"Ithinkyouhavenotmetthesegentlemen，\"saidMalin，\"fortheyarehiddenintheforestofNodesme，wheretheyconsiderthemselvesathome。\"
HewascarefulnottotelltheFirstConsulandFouchehowhehimselfhadgiventhemwarning，bytalkingwithGrevinwithinhearingofMichu，buthemadethemostofCorentin’sreportsandconvincedNapoleonthatthefourgentlemenweresharersintheplotofRiviereandPolignac，withMichuforanaccomplice。Theprefectofpoliceconfirmedtheseassertions。
\"Buthowcouldthatbailiffknowthattheconspiracywasdiscovered？\"
saidtheprefect，\"fortheEmperorandthecouncilandIweretheonlypersonsinthesecret。\"
Noonepaidattentiontothisremark。
\"Iftheyhavebeenhiddeninthatforestforthelastsevenmonthsandyouhavenotbeenabletofindthem，\"saidtheEmperortoFouche，\"theyhaveexpiatedtheirmisdeeds。\"
\"Sincetheyaremyenemiesaswell，\"saidMalin，frightenedbytheEmperor’sclear-sightedness，\"IdesiretofollowthemagnanimousexampleofyourMajesty；Ithereforemakemyselftheiradvocateandaskthattheirnamesbestrickenfromthelistof/emigres/。\"
\"Theywillbelessdangeroustoyouherethaniftheyareexiled；fortheywillnowhavetoswearallegiancetotheEmpireandthelaws，\"
saidFouche，lookingatMalinfixedly。
\"Inwhatwayaretheydangeroustothesenator？\"askedNapoleon。
TalleyrandspoketotheEmperorforsomeminutesinalowvoice。ThereinstatementoftheMessieursdeSimeuseandd’Hauteserreappearedtobegranted。
\"Sire，\"saidFouche，\"relyuponit，youwillhearofthosemenagain。\"
Talleyrand，whohadbeenurgedbytheDucdeGrandlieu，gavetheEmperorpledgesinthenameoftheyoungmenontheirhonorasgentlemenatermwhichhadgreatfascinationforNapoleon，toabstainfromallattacksuponhisMajestyandtosubmitthemselvestohisgovernmentingoodfaith。
\"Messieursd’HauteserreanddeSimeusearenotwillingtobeararmsagainstFrance，nowthateventshavetakentheirpresentcourse，\"hesaid，aloud；\"theyhavelittlesympathy，itistrue，withtheImperialgovernment，buttheyarejustthementhatyourMajestyoughttoconciliate。TheywillbesatisfiedtoliveonFrenchsoilandobeythelaws。\"
ThenhelaidbeforetheEmperoraletterhehadreceivedfromthebrothersinwhichthesesentimentswereexpressed。
\"Anythingsofrankislikelytobesincere，\"saidtheEmperor，returningtheletterandlookingatLebrunandCambaceres。\"Haveyouanyfurthersuggestions？\"heaskedofFouche。
\"InyourMajesty’sinterests，\"repliedthefutureministerofpolice，\"Iasktobeallowedtoinformthesegentlemenoftheirreinstatement——whenitis/reallygranted/，\"headded，inaloudertone。
\"Verywell，\"saidNapoleon，noticingananxiouslookonFouche’sface。
ThematterdidnotseempositivelydecidedwhentheCouncilrose；butithadtheeffectofputtingintoNapoleon’smindavaguedistrustofthefouryoungmen。Monsieurd’Hauteserre，believingthatallwasgained，wrotealetterannouncingthegoodnews。ThefamilyatCinq-
Cygnewerethereforenotsurprisedwhen，afewdayslater，GoulardcametoinformthecountessandMadamed’HauteserrethattheyweretosendthefourgentlementoTroyes，wheretheprefectwouldshowthemthedecreereinstatingthemintheirrightsandadministertothemtheoathofallegiancetotheEmpireandthelaws。LaurencerepliedthatshewouldsendthenotificationtohercousinsandtheMessieursd’Hauteserre。
\"Thentheyarenothere？\"saidGoulard。
Madamed’HauteserrelookedanxiouslyafterLaurence，wholefttheroomtoconsultMichu。Michusawnoreasonwhytheyoungmenshouldnotbereleasedatoncefromtheirhiding-place。Laurence，Michu，hisson，andGothardthereforestartedassoonaspossiblefortheforest，takinganextrahorse，forthecountessresolvedtoaccompanyhercousinstoTroyesandreturnwiththem。Thewholehousehold，madeawareofthegoodnews，gatheredonthelawntowitnessthedepartureofthehappycavalcade。Thefouryoungmenissuedfromtheirlongconfinement，mountedtheirhorses，andtooktheroadtoTroyes，accompaniedbyMademoiselleCinq-Cygne。Michu，withthehelpofhissonandGothard，closedtheentrancetothecellar，andstartedtoreturnhomeonfoot。Onthewayherecollectedthathehadlefttheforksandspoonsandasilvercup，whichtheyoungmenhadbeenusing，inthecave，andhewentbackforthemalone。Whenhereachedtheedgeofthepondheheardvoices，andwentstraighttotheentranceofthecavethroughthebrushwood。
\"Haveyoucomeforyoursilver？\"saidPeyrade，showinghisbigrednosethroughthebranches。
Withoutknowingwhy，foratanyratehisyoungmastersweresafe，Michufeltasharpagonyinallhisjoints，sokeenwasthesenseofvague，indefinablecomingevilwhichtookpossessionofhim；buthewentforwardatonce，andfoundCorentinonthestairswithataperinhishand。
\"Wearenotveryharsh，\"hesaidtoMichu；\"wemighthaveseizedyourci-devantsanydayforthelastweek；butweknewtheywerereinstated——You’reatoughfellowtodealwith，andyougaveustoomuchtroublenottomakeusanxioustosatisfyourcuriosityaboutthishiding-
placeofyours。\"
\"I’dgivesomething，\"criedMichu，\"toknowhowandbywhomwehavebeensold。\"
\"Ifthatpuzzlesyou，oldfellow，\"saidPeyrade，laughing，\"lookatyourhorses’shoes，andyou’llseethatyoubetrayedyourselves。\"
\"Well，thereneedbenorancor！\"saidCorentin，whistlingforthecaptainofgendarmerieandtheirhorses。
\"SothatrascallyParisianblacksmithwhoshoedthehorsesintheEnglishfashionandleftCinq-Cygneonlytheotherdaywastheirspy！\"
thoughtMichu。\"Theymusthavefollowedourtrackswhenthegroundwasdamp。Well，we’requitsnow！\"
Michuconsoledhimselfbythinkingthatthediscoverywasofnoconsequence，astheyoungmenwerenowsafe，Frenchmenoncemore，andatliberty。Yethisfirstpresentimentwasatrueone。Thepolice，liketheJesuits，havetheonevirtueofneverabandoningtheirfriendsortheirenemies。
Oldd’HauteserrereturnedfromParisandwasmorethansurprisednottobethefirsttobringthenews。Durieupreparedasucculentdinner，theservantsdonnedtheirbestclothes，andthehouseholdimpatientlyawaitedtheexiles，whoarrivedaboutfouro’clock，happy，——andyethumiliated，fortheyfoundtheyweretobeunderpolicesurveillancefortwoyears，obligedtopresentthemselvesattheprefectureeverymonthandorderedtoremaininthecommuneofCinq-Cygneduringthesaidtwoyears。\"I’llsendyouthepapersforsignature，\"theprefectsaidtothem。\"Then，inthecourseofafewmonths，youcanasktoberelievedoftheseconditions，whichareimposedonallofPichegru’saccomplices。Iwillbackyourrequest。\"
Theserestrictions，fairlydeserved，ratherdispiritedtheyoungmen，butLaurencelaughedatthem。
\"TheEmperoroftheFrench，\"shesaid，\"wasbadlybroughtup；hehasnotyetacquiredthehabitofbestowingfavorsgraciously。\"
Thepartyfoundalltheinhabitantsofthechateauatthegates，andagoodlyproportionofthepeopleofthevillagewaitingontheroadtoseetheyoungmen，whoseadventureshadmadethemfamousthroughoutthedepartment。Madamed’Hauteserreheldhersonstoherbreastforalongtime，herfacecoveredwithtears；shewasunabletospeakandremainedsilent，thoughhappy，throughapartoftheevening。NosoonerhadtheSimeusetwinsdismountedthanacryofsurprisearoseonallsides，causedbytheiramazingresemblance，——thesamelook，thesamevoice，thesameactions。Theybothhadthesamemovementinrisingfromtheirsaddles，inthrowingtheirlegoverthecrupperoftheirhorseswhendismounting，inflingingthereinsupontheanimal’sneck。Theirdress，preciselythesame，contributedtothislikeness。
Theyworeboots/ala/Suwaroff，madetofittheinstep，tighttrousersofwhiteleather，greenhunting-jacketswithmetalbuttons，blackcravats，andbuckskingloves。Thetwoyoungmen，justthirty-oneyearsofage，were——touseaterminvogueinthosedays——charmingcavaliers，ofmediumheightbutwellsetup，brillianteyeswithlonglashes，floatinginliquidlikethoseofchildren，blackhair，noblebrows，andoliveskin。Theirspeech，gentleasthatofawoman，fellgraciouslyfromtheirfreshredlips；theirmanners，moreelegantandpolishedthanthoseoftheprovincialgentlemen，showedthatknowledgeofmenandthingshadgiventhemthatsupplementaryeducationwhichmakesitspossessoramanoftheworld。
Notlackingmoney，thankstoMichu，duringtheiremigration，theyhadbeenabletotravelandbereceivedatforeigncourts。Oldd’Hauteserreandtheabbethoughtthemratherhaughty；butintheirpresentpositionthismayhavebeenthesignofnobilityofcharacter。
Theypossessedalltheeminentlittlemarksofacarefuleducation，towhichtheyaddedawonderfuldexterityinbodilyexercises。Theironlydissimilaritywasintheregionofideas。Theyoungestcharmedothersbyhisgaiety，theeldestbyhismelancholy；butthecontrast，whichwaspurelyspiritual，wasnotatfirstobservable。
\"Ah，wife，\"whisperedMichuinMarthe’sear，\"howcouldonehelpdevotingone’sselftothoseyoungfellows？\"
Marthe，whoadmiredthemasawifeandmother，noddedherheadprettilyandpressedherhusband’shand。Theservantswereallowedtokisstheirnewmasters。
Duringtheirsevenmonths’seclusionintheforestwhichtheyoungmenhadbroughtuponthemselvestheyhadseveraltimescommittedtheimprudenceoftakingwalksabouttheirhiding-place，carefullyguardedbyMichu，hisson，andGothard。Duringthesewalks，takenusuallyonstarlitnights，Laurence，reunitingthethreadoftheirpastandpresentlives，felttheutterimpossibilityofchoosingbetweenthebrothers。Apureandequalloveforeachdividedherheart。Shefanciedindeedthatshehadtwohearts。Ontheirside，thebrothersdarednotspeaktothemselvesoftheirimpendingrivalry。Perhapsallthreeweretrustingtotimeandaccident。TheconditionofhermindonthissubjectactednodoubtuponLaurenceastheyenteredthehouse，forshehesitatedamoment，andthentookanarmofeachassheenteredthesalonfollowedbyMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserre，whowereoccupiedwiththeirsons。Justthenacheerburstfromtheservants，\"LonglivetheCinq-CygneandtheSimeusefamilies！\"
Laurenceturnedround，stillbetweenthebrothers，andmadeacharminggestureofacknowledgementWhentheseninepersonscametoactuallyobserveeachother，——forinallmeetings，eveninthebosomoffamilies，therecomesamomentwhenfriendsobservethosefromwhomtheyhavebeenlongparted，——thefirstglancewhichAdriend’HauteserrecastuponLaurenceseemedtohismotherandtotheabbetobetraylove。Adrien，theyoungestofthed’Hauteserres，hadasweetandtendersoul；hishearthadremainedadolescentinspiteofthecatastropheswhichhadnervedtheman。Likemanyyoungheroes，keptvirgininspiritbyperpetualperil，hewasdauntedbythetimiditiesofyouth。Inthishewasverydifferentfromhisbrother，amanofroughmanners，agreathunter，anintrepidsoldier，fullofresolution，butcoarseinfibreandwithoutactivityofmindordelicacyinmattersoftheheart。Onewasallsoul，theotherallaction；andyettheybothpossessedinthesamedegreethatsenseofhonorwhichisthevitalessenceofagentleman。Dark，short，slimandwiry，Adriend’Hauteserregaveanimpressionofstrength；
whereasRobert，whowastall，paleandfair，seemedweakly。Adrien，nervousintemperament，wasstrongerinsoul；whilehisbrotherthoughlymphatic，wasfonderofbodilyexercise。Familiesoftenpresentthesesingularitiesofcontrast，thecausesofwhichitmightbeinterestingtoexamine；buttheyarementionedheremerelytoexplainhowitwasthatAdrienwasnotlikelytofindarivalinhisbrother。Robert’saffectionforLaurencewasthatofarelation，therespectofanobleforagirlofhisowncaste。Inmattersofsentimenttheelderd’Hauteserrebelongedtotheclassofmenwhoconsiderwomanasanappendagetoman，limitingherspheretothephysicaldutiesofmaternity；demandingperfectioninthatrespect，butregardinghermentallyasofnoaccount。Tosuchmentheadmittanceofwomanasanactualsharerinsociety，inthebodypolitic，inthefamily，meantthesubversionofthesocialsystem。Inthesedayswearesofarremovedfromthistheoryofprimitivepeoplethatalmostallwomen，eventhosewhodonotdesirethefatalemancipationofferedbythenewsects，willbeshockedinmerelyhearingofit；butitmustbeownedthatRobertd’Hauteserrehadthemisfortunetothinkinthatway。
Robertwasamanofthemiddle-ages，Adrienamanofto-day。Thesedifferencesinsteadofhinderingtheiraffectionhaddrawnitsbondsthecloser。Onthefirsteveningafterthereturnoftheyoungmentheseshadesofcharacterwerecaughtandunderstoodbytheabbe，MademoiselleGoujet，andMadamed’Hauteserre，who，whileplayingtheirboston，weresecretlyforeseeingthedifficultiesofthefuture。
Attwenty-threeyearsofage，havingpassedthroughthemanyreflectionsofalongsolitudeandtheanguishofadefeatedenterprise，Laurencehadbecomeawoman，andfeltwithinheranabsorbingdesireforaffection。Shenowputforthallhergracesofhermindandwascharming；sherevealedthehiddenbeautiesofhertenderheartwiththesimplecandorofachild。Forthelastthirteenyearsshehadbeenawomanonlythroughsuffering；shelongedtoobtainamendsforit，andsheshowedherselfaslovingandwinningasshehadbeen，uptothistime，strongandgreat。
Thefourelders，whowerethelasttoleavethesalonthatnight，admittedtoeachotherthattheyfeltuneasyatthenewpositionofthischarminggirl。Whatpowermightnotpassionhaveonayoungwomanofhercharacterandwithhernobilityofsoul？Thetwinbrotherslovedherwithoneandthesameloveandablinddevotion；whichofthetwowouldLaurencechoose？Tochooseonewastokilltheother。
Countessinherownright，shecouldbringherhusbandatitleandcertainprerogatives，togetherwithalonglineage。Perhapsinthinkingoftheseadvantagestheelderofthetwins，theMarquisdeSimeuse，wouldsacrificehimselftogiveLaurencetohisbrother，who，accordingtotheoldlaws，waspoorandwithoutatitle。ButwouldtheyoungerbrotherdeprivetheelderofthehappinessofhavingLaurenceforawife？Atadistance，thisstrifeofloveandgenerositymightdonoharm，——infact，solongasthebrotherswerefacingdangerthechancesofwarmightendthedifficulty；butwhatwouldbetheresultofthisreunion？WhenMarie-PaulandPaul-Mariereachedtheagewhenpassionsrisetotheirgreatestheightcouldtheyshare，asnow，thelooksandwordsandattentionsoftheircousin？musttherenotinevitablyariseajealousybetweenthemtheconsequencesofwhichmightbehorrible？Whatwouldthenbecomeoftheunityofthosebeautifullives，oneinheartthoughtwaininbody？Tothesequestionings，passedfromonetoanotherastheyfinishedtheirgame，Madamed’HauteserrerepliedthatinheropinionLaurencewouldnotmarryeitherofhercousins。Thepoorladyhadexperiencedthateveningoneofthoseinexplicablepresentimentswhicharesecretsbetweenthemother’sheartandGod。
Laurence，inherinwardconsciousness，wasnotlessalarmedatfindingherselftete-a-tetewithhercousins。Totheactivedramaofconspiracy，tothedangerswhichthebrothershadincurred，tothepainandpenaltiesoftheirexile，wasnowsucceedinganothersortofdrama，ofwhichshehadneverthought。Thisnoblegirlcouldnotresorttotheviolentmeansofrefusingtomarryeitherofthetwins；
andshewastoohonestawomantomarryoneandkeepanirresistiblepassionfortheotherinherheart。Toremainunmarried，towearyhercousins’lovebynodecision，andthentotaketheonewhowasfaithfultoherinspiteofhercaprices，wasasolutionofthedifficultynotsomuchsoughtforbyherasvaguelyadmitted。Asshefellasleepthatnightshetoldherselfthewisestcoursetofollowwastoletthingstaketheirchance。Chanceis，inlove，theprovidenceofwomen。
ThenextmorningMichuwenttoParis，whencehereturnedafewdayslaterwithfourfinehorsesforhisnewmasters。Insixweeks’timethehuntingwouldbegin，andtheyoungcountesssagelyreflectedthattheviolentexcitementsofthatexercisewouldbeahelpagainstthetete-a-tetesofthechateau。Atfirst，however，anunexpectedresultsurprisedthespectatorsofthesestrangelovesandrousedtheiradmiration。WithoutanypremeditatedagreementthebrothersrivalledeachotherinattentionstoLaurence，withasenseofpleasureinsodoingwhichappearedtosufficethem。TherelationbetweenthemselvesandLaurencewasjustasfraternalasthatbetweenthemselves。Whatcouldbemorenatural？Aftersolonganabsencetheyfeltthenecessityofstudyingher，ofknowingherwellandlettingherknowthem，leavingtohertherightofchoice。Theyweresustainedinthisfirsttrialbythemutualaffectionwhichmadetheirdoublelifeoneandthesamelife。
Love，liketheirownmother，wasunabletodistinguishbetweenthebrothers。Laurencewasobligedinordertoknowthemapartandmakenomistakestogivethemdifferentcravats——totheelderawhiteone，totheyoungerblack。Withoutthisperfectresemblance，thisidentityoflife，whichmisledallaboutthem，suchasituationwouldbejustlythoughtimpossible。Itcan，indeed，beexplainedonlybythefactitself，whichisoneofthosewhichmendonotbelieveinunlesstheyseethem；andthenthemindismorebewilderedbyhavingtoexplainthemthanbytheactualsightwhichcausedbelief。IfLaurencespoke，hervoiceechoedintwoheartsequallyfaithfulandlovingwithonetone。Didshegiveutterancetoanintelligent，orwitty，ornoblethought，herglanceencounteredthedelightexpressedintwoglanceswhichfollowedhereverymovement，interpretedherslightestwish，andbeameduponhereverwithanewexpression，gaietyintheone，tendermelancholyintheother。Inanymatterthatconcernedtheirmistressthebrothersshowedanadmirablequick-wittednessofheartcoupledwithinstantactionwhichtousetheabbe’sownexpression
approachedthesublime。Often，ifsomethinghadtobefetched，ifitwasaquestionofsomelittleattentionwhichmendelighttopaytoabelovedwoman，theelderwouldleavethatpleasuretotheyoungerwithalookatLaurencethatwasproudandtender。Theyounger，ontheotherhand，putallhisownprideintopayingsuchdebts。Thisrivalryofnoblenaturesinafeelingwhichleadsmenoftentothejealousferocityofthebeastsamazedtheoldpeoplewhowerewatchingit，andbewilderedtheirideas。
Suchlittledetailsoftendrewtearstotheeyesofthecountess。A
singlesensation，whichisperhapsall-powerfulinsomerareorganizations，willgiveanideaofLaurence’semotions；itmaybeperceivedbyrecallingtheperfectunisonoftwofinevoiceslikethoseofMalibranandSontaginsomeharmonious/duo/，ortheblendingoftwoinstrumentstouchedbythehandofgenius，theirmelodioustonesenteringthesoullikethepassionatesighingofoneheart。Sometimes，seeingtheMarquisdeSimeuseburiedinanarm-chairandglancingfromtimetotimewithdeepestmelancholyathisbrotherandLaurencewhoweretalkingandlaughing，theabbebelievedhimcapableofmakingthegreatsacrifice；presently，however，thepriestwouldseeintheyoungman’seyestheflashofanunconquerablepassion。WhenevereitherofthebrothersfoundhimselfalonewithLaurencehemightreasonablysupposehimselftheonepreferred。
\"Ifancythenthatthereisbutoneofthem，\"explainedthecountesstotheabbewhenhequestionedher。Thatanswershowedthepriesthertotalwantofcoquetry。Laurencedidnotconceivethatshewaslovedbytwomen。
\"But，mydearchild，\"saidMadamed’HauteserreoneeveningherownsonsilentlydyingofloveforLaurence，\"youmustchoose！\"
\"Oh，letusbehappy，\"shereplied；\"Godwillsaveusfromourselves。\"
Adriend’Hauteserreburiedwithinhisbreastthejealousythatwasconsuminghim；hekeptthesecretofhistorture，awareofhowlittlehecouldhope。Hetriedtobecontentwiththehappinessofseeingthecharmingwomanwhoduringthefewmonthsthisstrugglelastedshoneinallherbrilliancy。InonesenseLaurencehadbecomecoquettish，takingthatdaintycareofherpersonwhichwomenwhoareloveddelightin。Shefollowedthefashions，andwentmorethanoncetoParistodeckherbeautywith/chiffons/orsomechoicenovelty。
Desirousofgivinghercousinsasenseofhomeanditseveryenjoyment，fromwhichtheyhadsolongbeensevered，shemadeherchateau，inspiteoftheremonstrancesofherlateguardian，themostcompletelycomfortablehouseinChampagne。
Robertd’Hauteserresawnothingofthishiddendrama；henevernoticedhisbrother’sloveforLaurence。Astothegirlherself，helikedtoteaseherabouthercoquetry，——forheconfoundedthatodiousdefectwiththenaturaldesiretoplease；hewasalwaysmistakeninmattersoffeeling，taste，andthehigherethics。So，wheneverthismanofthemiddle-agesappearedonthescene，Laurenceimmediatelymadehim，unknowntohimself，theclownoftheplay；sheamusedhercousinsbyarguingwithRobert，andleadinghim，stepbystep，intosomebogofignoranceandstupidity。Sheexcelledinsuchclevermischief，which，tobereallysuccessful，mustleavethevictimcontentwithhimself。
Andyet，thoughhisnaturewasacoarseone，Robertnever，duringthosedelightfulmonthstheonlyhappyperiodinthelivesofthethreeyoungpeoplesaidonevirilewordwhichmighthavebroughtmatterstoacrisisbetweenLaurenceandhercousins。Hewasstruckwiththesincerityofthebrothers；hesawhowtheonecouldbegladatthehappinessoftheotherandyetsufferanguishinthedepthsofhisheart，andhedidperceivehowawomanmightshrinkfromshowingtendernesstoonewhichwouldgrievetheother。ThisperceptiononRobert’spartwasajustone；itexplainsasituationwhich，intimesoffaith，whenthesovereignpontiffhadpowertointerveneandcuttheGordianknotofsuchphenomenaalliedtothedeepestandmostimpenetrablemysteries，wouldhavefounditssolution。TheRevolutionhaddeepenedtheCatholicfaithintheseyounghearts，andreligionnowrenderedthiscrisisintheirlivesthemoresevere，becausenobilityofcharacteriseverheightenedbythegrandeurofcircumstances。AsenseofthistruthkeptMonsieurandMadamed’HauteserreandtheabbefromtheslightestfearofanyunworthyresultonthepartofthebrothersorofLaurence。
Thisprivatedrama，secretlydevelopingwithinthelimitsofthefamilylifewhereeachmemberwatcheditsilently，ranitscoursesorapidlyandwithalsoslowly，itcarriedwithitsomanyunhoped-forpleasures，triflingjars，frustratedfancies，hopesreversed，anxiouswaitings，delayedexplanationsandmuteavowalsthatthedwellersatCinq-CygnepaidnoattentiontothepublicdramaoftheEmperor’scoronation。Attimesthesepassionsmadeatruceandsoughtdistractionintheviolentenjoymentofhunting，whenwearinessofbodytookfromthesoulalloccasionstowanderinthedangerousmeadowsofreverie。NeitherLaurencenorhercousinshadathoughtnowforpublicaffairs；eachdaybroughtitspalpitatingandabsorbinginterestsfortheirhearts。
\"Really，\"saidMademoiselleGoujetoneevening，\"Idon’tknowwhichofalltheloverslovesthemost。\"
Adrien，whohappenedtobealoneinthesalonwiththefourcard-
players，raisedhiseyesandturnedpale。ForthelastfewdayshisonlyholdonlifehadbeenthepleasureofseeingLaurenceandoflisteningtoher。
\"Ithink，\"saidtheabbe，\"thatthecountess，beingawoman，loveswiththegreaterabandonmenttolove。\"
Laurence，thetwins，andRobertenteredtheroomsoonafter。Thenewspapershadjustarrived。England，seeingthefailureofallconspiraciesattemptedwithinthebordersofFrance，wasnowarmingallEuropeagainsttheircommonenemy。ThedisasteratTrafalgarhadoverthrownoneofthemostamazingplanswhichhumangeniuseverconceived；bywhich，ifithadsucceeded，theEmperorwouldhavepaidthenationforhiselectionbytheruinoftheBritishpower。ThecampatBoulognehadjustbeenraised。Napoleon，whosesolderswere，asalways，inferiorinnumberstotheenemy，wasabouttocarrythewarintopartsofEuropewherehehadnotbeforewagedit。Thewholeworldwasbreathless，awaitingtheresultsofthecampaign。
\"He’llsurelybedefeatedthistime，\"saidRobert，layingdownthepaper。
\"ThearmiesofAustriaandofRussiaarebeforehim，\"saidMarie-Paul。
\"HehasneverfoughtinGermany，\"addedPaul-Marie。
\"Ofwhomareyouspeaking？\"askedLaurence。
\"TheEmperor，\"answeredthethreegentlemen。
Thejealousgirlthrewadisdainfullookathertwinlovers，whichhumiliatedthemwhileitrejoicedtheheartofAdrien，whomadeagestureofadmirationandgaveheroneproudlook，whichsaidplainlythat/he/thoughtonlyofher，——ofLaurence。
\"Itoldyou，\"saidtheabbeinalowvoice，\"thatlovewouldsomedaycausehertoforgetheranimosity。\"
Itwasthefirst，last，andonlyreproachthebrotherseverreceivedfromher；butcertainlyatthatmomenttheirlove，whichcouldstillbedistractedbynationalevents，wasinferiortothatofLaurence，which，absorbedhermindsocompletelythatsheonlyknewoftheamazingtriumphatAusterlitzbyoverhearingadiscussionbetweenMonsieurd’Hauteserreandhissons。
Faithfultohisideasofsubmission，theoldmanwishedbothRobertandAdrientore-entertheFrencharmyandapplyforservice；theycould，hethought，bereinstatedintheirrankandsoonfindanopeningtomilitaryhonors。Butroyalistopinionswerenowall-
powerfulatCinq-Cygne。ThefouryoungmenandLaurencelaughedattheirprudentelder，whoseemedtoforeseeacomingevil。Possibly，prudenceislessvirtuethantheexerciseofsomeinstinct，or/sense/
ofthemindifitisallowabletocouplethosetwowords。Adaywillcome，nodoubt，whenphysiologistsandphilosopherswillbothadmitthatthesensesare，insomeway，thesheathorvehicleofakeenandpenetrativeactivepowerwhichissuesfromthemind。
CHAPTERXI
WISECOUNSEL
AfterpeacewasconcludedbetweenFranceandAustria，towardstheendofthemonthofFebruary，1806，arelative，whoseinfluencehadbeenemployedforthereinstatementoftheSimeusebrothers，andwhowasdestinedlatertogivethemsignalproofsoffamilyattachment，theci-devantMarquisdeChargeboeuf，whoseestatesextendedfromthedepartmentoftheSeine-et-MarnetothatoftheAube，arrivedonemorningatCinq-Cygneinaspeciesofcalechewhichwasthennamedinderisiona/berlingot/。Whenthisshabbycarriagewasdrivenpastthewindowstheinhabitantsofthechateau，whowereatbreakfast，wereconvulsedwithlaughter；butwhenthebaldheadoftheoldmanwasseenissuingfrombehindtheleathercurtainofthevehicleMonsieurd’Hauteserretoldhisname，andallpresentroseinstantlytoreceiveanddohonortotheheadofthehouseofChargeboeuf。
\"Wehavedonewrongtolethimcometous，\"saidtheMarquisdeSimeusetohisbrotherandthed’Hauteserres；\"weoughttohavegonetohimandmadeouracknowledgements。\"
Aservant，dressedasapeasant，whodrovethehorsesfromaseatonalevelwiththebodyofthecarriage，slippedhiscartman’swhipintoacoarseleathersocket，andgotdownfromtheboxtoassistthemarquisfromthecarriage；butAdrienandtheyoungerdeSimeusepreventedhim，unbuttonedtheleatherapron，andhelpedtheoldmanoutinspiteofhisprotestations。Thisgentlemanoftheoldschoolchosetoconsiderhisyellow/berlingot/withitsleathercurtainsamostconvenientandexcellentequipage。Theservant，assistedbyGothard，unharnessedthestouthorseswithshiningflanks，accustomednodoubttodoasmuchdutyattheploughasinacarriage。
\"Inspiteofthiscoldweather！Why，youareaknightoftheoldentime，\"saidLaurence，tohervisitor，takinghisarmandleadinghimintothesalon。
\"Whathashecomefor？\"thoughtoldd’Hauteserre。
MonsieurdeChargeboeuf，ahandsomeoldgentlemanofsixty-six，inlight-coloredbreeches，hissmallweaklegsencasedincoloredstockings，worepowder，pigeon-wingsandaqueue。Hisgreenclothhunting-coatwithgoldbuttonswasbraidedandfroggedwithgold。Hiswhitewaistcoatglitteredwithgoldembroidery。Thisapparel，stillinvogueamongoldpeople，becamehisface，whichwasnotunlikethatofFredericktheGreat。Heneverputonhisthree-corneredhatlestheshoulddestroytheeffectofthehalf-moontraceduponhiscraniumbyalayerofpowder。Hisrighthand，restingonahookedcane，heldbothcaneandhatinamannerworthyofLouisXIV。Thefineoldgentlemantookoffhiswaddedsilkpelisseandseatedhimselfinanarmchair，holdingthethree-corneredhatandthecanebetweenhiskneesinanattitudethesecretofwhichhasneverbeengraspedbyanybuttherouesofLouisXV。’scourt，anattitudewhichleftthehandsfreetoplaywithasnuff-box，alwaysaprecioustrinket。Accordinglythemarquisdrewfromthepocketofhiswaistcoat，whichwasclosedbyaflapembroideredingoldarabesques，asumptuoussnuff-box。Whilefingeringhisownpinchandofferingtheboxaroundhimwithanothercharminggestureaccompaniedwithkindlysmiles，henoticedthepleasurewhichhisvisitgave。Heseemedthentocomprehendwhytheseyoung/emigres/hadbeenremissintheirdutytowardshim，andtobesayingtohimself，\"Whenwearemakinglovewecan’tmakevisits。\"
\"Youwillstaywithussomedays？\"saidLaurence。
\"Impossible，\"hereplied。\"Ifwewerenotsoseparatedbyeventsforastodistance，yougofartherthanthatwhichliesbetweenusyouwouldknow，mydearchild，thatIhavedaughters，daughters-in-law，andgrand-children。AllthesedearcreatureswouldbeveryuneasyifI
didnotreturntothemto-night，andIhaveforty-fivemilestogo。\"
\"Yourhorsesareingoodcondition，\"saidtheMarquisdeSimeuse。
\"Oh！IamjustfromTroyes，whereIhadbusinessyesterday。\"
AfterthecustomarypoliteinquiriesfortheMarquisedeChargeboeufandothermattersreallyuninterestingbutaboutwhichpolitenessassumesthatwearekeenlyinterested，itdawnedonMonsieurd’Hauteserrethattheoldgentlemanhadcometowarnhisyoungrelativesagainstimprudence。HeremarkedthattimeswerechangedandnoonecouldtellwhattheEmperormightnowbecome。
\"Oh！\"saidLaurence，\"he’llmakehimselfGod。\"
TheMarquisspokeofthewisdomofconcession。Whenhestated，withmoreemphasisandauthoritythanheputintohisotherremarks，thenecessityofsubmission，Monsieurd’Hauteserrelookedathissonswithanalmostsupplicatingair。
\"Wouldyouservethatman？\"askedtheMarquisdeSimeuse。
\"Yes，Iwould，iftheinterestsofmyfamilyrequiredit，\"repliedMonsieurdeChargeboeuf。
Graduallytheoldmanmadethemaware，thoughvaguely，ofsomethreateneddanger。WhenLaurencebeggedhimtoexplainthenatureofit，headvisedthefouryoungmentorefrainfromhuntingandtokeepthemselvesasmuchinretirementaspossible。
\"YoutreatthedomainofGondrevilleasifitwereyourown，\"hesaidtotheMessieursdeSimeuse，\"andyouarekeepingaliveadeadlyhatred。Isee，bythesurpriseuponyourfaces，thatyouarequiteunawareoftheill-willagainstyouatTroyes，whereyourlatebraveconductisremembered。TheytellofhowyoufoiledthepoliceoftheEmpire；somepraiseyouforit，butothersregardyouasenemiesoftheEmperor；partisansdeclarethatNapoleon’sclemencyisinexplicable。That，however，isnothing。Therealdangerlieshere；
youfoiledmenwhothoughtthemselvesclevererthanyou；andlow-bredmenneverforgive。Soonerorlaterjustice，whichinyourdepartmentemanatesfromyourenemy，SenatorMalinwhohashishenchmeneverywhere，evenintheministerialoffices，——/his/justicewillrejoicetoseeyouinvolvedinsomeannoyingscrape。Apeasant，forinstance，willquarrelwithyouforridingoverhisfield；yourgunsareinyourhands，youarehot-tempered，andsomethinghappens。Inyourpositionitisabsolutelyessentialthatyoushouldnotputyourselvesinthewrong。Idonotspeaktoyouthuswithoutgoodreason。Thepolicekeepthisarrondissementunderstrictsurveillance；
theyhaveanagentinthatlittleholeofArcisexpresslytoprotecttheImperialsenatorMalinagainstyourattacks。Heisafraidofyou，andsayssoopenly。\"
\"Itisacalumny！\"criedtheyoungerSimeuse。
\"Acalumny，——Iamsureofitmyself，butwillthepublicbelieveit？
Michucertainlydidaimatthesenator，whodoesnotforgetthedangerhewasin；andsinceyourreturnthecountesshastakenMichuintoherservice。Tomanypersons，infacttothemajority，Malinwillseemtobeintheright。Youdonotunderstandhowdelicatethepositionofan/emigre/istowardsthosewhoarenowinpossessionofhisproperty。
Theprefect，averyintelligentman，droppedawordtomeyesterdayaboutyouwhichhasmademeuneasy。Inshort，Isincerelywishyouwouldnotremainhere。\"
Thisspeechwasreceivedindumbamazement。Marie-Paulrangthebell。
\"Gothard，\"hesaid，tothelittlepage，\"sendMichuhere。\"
\"Michu，myfriend，\"saidtheMarquisdeSimeusewhenthemanappeared，\"isittruethatyouintendedtokillMalin？\"
\"Yes，Monsieurlemarquis；andwhenhecomeshereagainIshalllieinwaitforhim。\"
\"Doyouknowthatwearesuspectedofinstigatingit，andthatourcousin，bytakingyouasherfarmerissupposedtobefurtheringyourscheme？\"
\"GoodGod！\"criedMichu，\"amIaccursed？ShallIneverbeabletoridyouofthatvillain？\"
\"No，myman，no！\"saidPaul-Marie。\"Butwewillalwaystakecareofyou，thoughyouwillhavetoleaveourserviceandthecountrytoo。
Sellyourpropertyhere；wewillsendyoutoTriestetoafriendofourswhohasimmensebusinessconnections，andhe’llemployyouuntilthingsarebetterinthiscountryforallofus。\"
TearscameintoMichu’seyes；hestoodrootedtothefloor。
\"WerethereanywitnesseswhenyouaimedatMalin？\"askedtheMarquisdeChargeboeuf。
\"Grevinthenotarywastalkingwithhim，andthatpreventedmykillinghim——veryfortunately，asMadamelaComtesseknows，\"saidMichu，lookingathismistress。
\"Grevinisnottheonlyonewhoknowsit？\"saidMonsieurdeChargeboeuf，whoseemedannoyedatwhatwassaid，thoughnonebutthefamilywerepresent。
\"Thatpolicespywhocameheretotrapmymasters，heknewittoo，\"
saidMichu。
MonsieurdeChargeboeufroseasiftolookatthegardens，andsaid，\"YouhavemadethemostofCinq-Cygne。\"Thenheleftthehouse，followedbythetwobrothersandLaurence，whonowsawthemeaningofhisvisit。
\"Youarefrankandgenerous，butmostimprudent，\"saidtheoldman。
\"ItwasnaturalenoughthatIshouldwarnyouofarumorwhichwascertaintobeaslander；butwhathaveyoudonenow？youhaveletsuchweakpersonsasMonsieurandMadamed’Hauteserreandtheirsonsseethattherewastruthinit。Oh，youngmen！youngmen！YououghttokeepMichuhereandgoawayyourselves。Butifyoupersistinremaining，atleastwritealettertothesenatorandtellhimthathavingheardtherumorsaboutMichuyouhavedismissedhimfromyouremploy。\"
\"We！\"exclaimedthebrothers；\"what，writetoMalin，——tothemurdererofourfatherandourmother，totheinsolentplundererofourproperty！\"
\"Alltrue；butheisoneofthechiefpersonagesattheImperialcourt，andthekingofyourdepartment。\"
\"He，whovotedforthedeathofLouisXVI。incasethearmyofCondeenteredFrance！\"criedLaurence。
\"He，whoprobablyadvisedthemurderoftheDucd’Enghien！\"exclaimedPaul-Marie。
\"Well，well，ifyouwanttorecapitulatehistitlesofnobility，\"criedMonsieurdeChargeboeuf，\"sayhewhopulledRobespierrebytheskirtsofhiscoattomakehimfallwhenhesawthathisenemieswerestrongerthanhe；hewhowouldhaveshotBonaparteifthe18thBrumairehadmissedfire；hewhomanoeuvresnowtobringbacktheBourbonsifNapoleontotters；hewhomthestrongwilleverfindontheirsidetohandleeitherswordorpistolandputanendtoanadversarywhomtheyfear！But——allthatisonlyreasonthemoreforwhatIurgeuponyou。\"
\"Wehavefallenverylow，\"saidLaurence。
\"Children，\"saidtheoldmarquis，takingthembythehandandgoingtothelawn，thencoveredbyaslightfallofsnow；\"youwillbeangryattheprudentadviceofanoldman，butIamboundtogiveit，andhereitis:IfIwereyouIwouldemployasgo-betweensometrustworthyoldfellow——likemyself，forinstance；IwouldcommissionhimtoaskMalinforamillionoffrancsforthetitle-deedsofGondreville；hewouldgladlyconsentifthematterwerekeptsecret。Youwillthenhavecapitalinhand，anincomeofahundredthousandfrancs，andyoucanbuyafineestateinanotherpartofFrance。AsforCinq-Cygne，itcansafelybelefttothemanagementofMonsieurd’Hauteserre，andyoucandrawlotsastowhichofyoushallwinthehandofthisdearheiress——
Butah！Iknowthewordsofanoldmanintheearsoftheyoungarelikethewordsoftheyoungintheearsoftheold，asoundwithoutmeaning。\"
Theoldmarquissignedtohisthreerelativesthathewishednoanswer，andreturnedtothesalon，where，duringtheirabsence，theabbeandhissisterhadarrived。
Theproposaltodrawlotsfortheircousin’shandhadoffendedthebrothers，whileLaurencerevoltedinhersoulatthebitternessoftheremedytheoldmarquiscounselled。Allthreewerenowlessgracioustohim，thoughtheydidnotceasetobepolite。Thewarmthoftheirfeelingwaschilled。MonsieurdeChargeboeuf，whofeltthechange，castfrequentlooksofkindlycompassiononthesecharmingyoungpeople。Theconversationbecamegeneral，buttheoldmarquisstilldweltonthenecessityofsubmittingtoevents，andheapplaudedMonsieurd’HauteserreforhispersistenceinurginghissonstotakeserviceundertheEmpire。
\"Bonaparte，\"hesaid，\"makesdukes。HehascreatedImperialfiefs，hewillthereforemakecounts。MalinisdeterminedtobeComtedeGondreville。Thatisafancy，\"headded，lookingattheSimeusebrothers，\"whichmightbeprofitabletoyou——\"
\"Orfatal，\"saidLaurence。
Assoonasthehorseswereput-tothemarquistookleave，accompaniedtothedoorbythewholeparty。WhenfairlyinthecarriagehemadeasigntoLaurencetocomeandspeaktohim，andshespranguponthefoot-boardwiththelightnessofaswallow。
\"Youarenotanordinarywoman，andyououghttounderstandme，\"hesaidinherear。\"Malin’sconsciencewillneverallowhimtoleaveyouinpeace；hewillsetsometraptoinjureyou。Iimploreyoutobecarefulofallyouractions，eventhemostunimportant。Compromise，negotiate；thosearemylastwords。\"
Thebrothersstoodmotionlessbehindtheircousinandwatchedthe/berlingot/asitturnedthroughtheirongatesandtooktheroadtoTroyes。Laurencerepeatedtheoldman’slastwords。Butsageexperienceshouldnotpresentitselftotheeyesofyouthina/berlingot/，coloredstockings，andaqueue。TheseardentyoungheartshadnoconceptionofthechangethathadpassedoverFrance；
indignationcrispedtheirnerves，honorboiledwiththeirnoblebloodthrougheveryvein。
\"He，theheadofthehouseofChargeboeuf！\"saidtheMarquisdeSimeuse。\"Amanwhobearsthemotto/Adsitfortior/，thenoblestofwarcries！\"
\"WearenolongerinthedaysofSaint-Louis，\"saidtheyoungerSimeuse。
\"But’Wediesinging，’\"saidthecountess。\"Thecryofthefiveyounggirlsofmyhouseismine！\"
\"Andours，’Cymeurs，’\"saidtheelderSimeuse。\"Therefore，noquarter，Isay；for，onreflection，weshallfindthatourrelativehadponderedwellwhathetoldus——GondrevilletobethetitleofaMalin！\"
\"Andhisseat！\"saidtheyounger。
\"Mansartdesigneditfornoblestock，andthepopulacewillgettheirchildreninit！\"exclaimedtheelder。
\"Ifthatweretocometopass，I’dratherseeGondrevilleinashes！\"
criedMademoiselleCinq-Cygne。
Oneofthevillagers，whohadenteredthegroundstoexamineacalfMonsieurd’Hauteserrewastryingtosellhim，overheardthesewordsashecamefromthecow-sheds。
\"Letusgoin，\"saidLaurence，laughing；\"thisisveryimprudent；wearegivingtheoldmarquisarighttoblameus。MypoorMichu，\"sheadded，assheenteredthesalon，\"Ihadforgottenyouradventure；aswearenotintheodorofsanctityinthesepartsyoumustbecarefulnottocompromiseusinfuture。Haveyouanyotherpeccadilloesonyourconscience？\"
\"IblamemyselffornothavingkilledthemurdererofmyoldmastersbeforeIcametotherescueofmypresentones——\"
\"Michu！\"saidtheabbeinawarningtone。
\"ButI’llnotleavethecountry，\"Michucontinued，payingnoheedtotheabbe’sexclamation，\"tillIamcertainyouaresafe。IseefellowsroamingaboutherewhomIdistrust。Thelasttimewehuntedintheforest，thatkeeperwhotookmyplaceatGondrevillecametomeandaskedifwesupposedwewereonourownproperty。’Ho！mylad，’I
said，’wecan’tgetridintwoweeksofideaswe’vehadforcenturies。’\"
\"Youdidwrong，Michu，\"saidtheMarquisdeSimeuse，smilingwithsatisfaction。
\"Whatanswerdidhemake？\"askedMonsieurd’Hauteserre。
\"Hesaidhewouldinformthesenatorofourclaims，\"repliedMichu。
\"ComtedeGondreville！\"repeatedtheelderSimeuse；\"whatamasquerade！Butafterall，theysay’yourMajesty’toBonaparte！\"
\"AndtotheGrandDucdeBerg，’yourHighness！’\"saidtheabbe。
\"Whoishe？\"askedtheMarquisdeSimeuse。
\"Murat，Napoleon’sbrother-in-law，\"repliedoldd’Hauteserre。
\"Delightful！\"remarkedMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。\"Dotheyalsosay’yourMajesty’tothewidowofBeauharnais？\"
\"Yes，mademoiselle，\"saidtheabbe。
\"WeoughttogotoParisandseeitall，\"criedLaurence。
\"Alas，mademoiselle，\"saidMichu，\"IwastheretoputFrancoisatschool，andIsweartoyouthere’snojokingwithwhattheycalltheImperialGuard。Iftherestofthearmyarelikethem，thethingmaylastlongerthanwe。\"
\"Theysaymanyofthenoblefamiliesaretakingservice，\"saidMonsieurd’Hauteserre。
\"Accordingtothepresentlaw，\"addedtheabbe，\"youwillbecompelledtoserve。Theconscriptionmakesnodistinctionofranksornames。\"
\"ThatmanisdoingusmoreharmwithhiscourtthantheRevolutiondidwithitsaxe！\"criedLaurence。
\"TheChurchpraysforhim，\"saidtheabbe。
Theseremarks，maderapidlyoneafteranother，weresomanycommentariesonthewisecounseloftheoldMarquisdeChargeboeuf；
buttheyoungpeoplehadtoomuchfaith，toomuchhonor，todreamofresortingtoacompromise。Theytoldthemselves，asallvanquishedpartiesinalltimeshavedeclared，thattheluckoftheconquerorswouldsoonbeatanend，thattheEmperorhadnosupportbutthatofthearmy，thatthepower/defacto/mustsoonerorlatergivewaytotheDivineRight，etc。So，inspiteofthewisecounselgiventothem，theyfellintothepitfall，whichothers，likeoldd’Hauteserre，moreprudentandmoreamenabletoreason，wouldhavebeenabletoavoid。Ifmenwerefranktheymightperhapsadmitthatmisfortunesneverovertakethemuntilaftertheyhavereceivedeitheranactualoranoccultwarning。Manydonotperceivethedeepmeaningofsuchvisibleorinvisiblesignsuntilafterthedisasterisuponthem。
\"Inanycase，MadamelacomtesseknowsthatIcannotleavethecountryuntilIhavegivenupacertaintrust，\"saidMichuinalowvoicetoMademoiselledeCinq-Cygne。
Forallanswershemadehimasignofacquiescence，andhelefttheroom。