AssoonasitwasdarkVeronique，leaningonhermother’sarm，walkedslowlythroughtheparktothechalet。Themoonwasshiningwithallitsbrilliancy，theairwassoft，andthetwowomen，visiblyaffected，foundencouragement，ofasort，inthethingsofnature。Themotherstoppednowandthen，torestherdaughter，whosesufferingswerepoignant，sothatitwaswell—nighmidnightbeforetheyreachedthepaththatgoesdownfromthewoodstotheslopingmeadowwherethesilveryroofofthechaletshone。Themoonlightgavetothesurfaceofthequietwater，thetintofpearls。Thelittlenoisesofthenight，echoinginthesilence，madesoftestharmony。Veroniquesatdownonthebenchofthechalet，amidthisbeauteoussceneofthestarrynight。Themurmuroftwovoicesandthefootfalloftwopersonsstillatadistanceonthesandyshorewerebroughtbythewater，whichsometimes，whenallisstill，reproducessoundsasfaithfullyasitreflectsobjectsonthesurface。Veroniquerecognizedatoncetheexquisitevoiceoftherector，andtherustleofhiscassock，alsothemovementofsomesilkenstuffthatwasprobablythematerialofawoman’sgown。
\"Letusgoin，\"shesaidtohermother。
MadameSauviatandherdaughtersatdownonacribinthelowerroom，whichwasintendedforastable。
\"Mychild，\"theyheardtherectorsaying，\"Idonotblameyou，——youarequiteexcusable;butyourreturnmaybethecauseofirreparableevil;sheisthesoulofthisregion。\"
\"Ah！monsieur，thenIhadbettergoawayto—night，\"repliedthestranger。\"Though——Imusttellyou——toleavemycountryoncemoreisdeathtome。IfIhadstayedadaylongerinthathorribleNewYork，wherethereisneitherhope，norfaith，norcharity，Ishouldhavediedwithoutbeingill。TheairIbreathedoppressedmychest，fooddidnotnourishme，Iwasdyingwhilefulloflifeandvigor。MysufferingsceasedthemomentIsetfootuponthevesseltoreturn。I
seemedtobealreadyinFrance。Oh！monsieur，Isawmymotherandoneofmysisters—in—lawdieofgrief。MygrandfatherandgrandmotherTascheronaredead;dead，mydearMonsieurBonnet，inspiteoftheprosperityofTascheronville，——formyfatherfoundedavillageinOhioandgaveitthatname。Thatvillageisnowalmostatown，andathirdofallthelandiscultivatedbymembersofourfamily，whomGodhasconstantlyprotected。Ourtillagesucceeded，ourcropshavebeenenormous，andwearerich。ThetownisCatholic，andwehavemanagedtobuildaCatholicchurch;wedonotallowanyotherformofworship，andwehopetoconvertbyourexamplethemanysectswhichsurroundus。Truereligionisinaminorityinthatlandofmoneyandselfishinterests，wherethesouliscold。Nevertheless，Iwillreturntodiethere，soonerthandoharmorcausedistresstothemotherofourFrancis。Only，MonsieurBonnet，takemeto—nighttotheparsonagethatImayprayupon/his/tomb，thethoughtofwhichhasbroughtmehere;
thenearerIhavecometowhere/he/is，themoreIfeltmyselfanotherbeing。No，IneverexpectedtofeelsohappyagainasIdohere。\"
\"Well，then，\"saidtherector，\"comewithmenow。Ifthereshouldcomeatimewhenyoumightreturnwithoutdoinginjury，Iwillwritetoyou，Denise;butperhapsthisvisittoyourbirthplacewillstopthehomesickness，andenableyoutoliveovertherewithoutsuffering——\"
\"Oh！toleavethiscountry，nowsobeautiful！WhatwondersMadameGraslinhasdoneforit！\"sheexclaimed，pointingtothelakeasitlayinthemoonlight。\"AllthisfinedomainwillbelongtoourdearFrancis。\"
\"Youshallnotgoaway，Denise，\"saidMadameGraslin，whowasstandingatthestabledoor。
Jean—FrancoisTascheron’ssisterclaspedherhandsonseeingthespectrewhichaddressedher。AtthatmomentthepaleVeronique，standinginthemoonlight，waslikeashadedefineduponthedarknessoftheopendoor—way。Hereyesaloneshonelikestars。
\"No，mychild，youshallnotleavethecountryyouhavecomesofartoseeagain;youshallbehappyhere，orGodwillrefusetohelpme;itisHe，nodoubt，whohasbroughtyouback。\"
ShetooktheastonishedDenisebythehand，andledherawaybyapathtowardtheothershoreofthelake，leavinghermotherandtherector，whoseatedthemselvesonthebench。
\"Letherdoasshewishes，\"saidMadameSauviat。
AfewmomentslaterVeroniquereturnedalone，andwastakenbacktothechateaubyhermotherandMonsieurBonnet。Doubtlessshehadformedsomeplanwhichrequiredsecrecy，fornooneintheneighborhoodeithersawDeniseorheardanymentionofher。
MadameGraslintooktoherbedthatdayandneverbutonceleftitagain;shewentfrombadtoworsedaily，andseemedannoyedandthwartedthatshecouldnotrise，——tryingtodosoonseveraloccasions，andexpressingadesiretowalkoutintothepark。Afewdays，however，afterthescenewehavejustrelated，aboutthebeginningofJune，shemadeaviolenteffort，rose，dressedasifforagaladay，andbeggedGerardtogiveherhisarm，declaringthatshewasresolvedtotakeawalk。Shegatheredupallherstrengthandexpendeditonthisexpedition，accomplishingherintentioninaparoxysmofwillwhichhad，necessarily，afatalreaction。
\"Takemetothechalet，andalone，\"shesaidtoGerardinasoftvoice，lookingathimwithasortofcoquetry。\"Thisismylastexcursion;Idreamedlastnightthedoctorsarrivedandcapturedme。\"
\"Doyouwanttoseeyourwoods？\"askedGerard。
\"Forthelasttime，yes，\"sheanswered。\"ButwhatIreallywant，\"sheadded，inacoaxingvoice，\"istomakeyouasingularproposition。\"
SheaskedGerardtoembarkwithherinoneoftheboatsonthesecondlake，towhichshewentonfoot。Whentheyoungman，surprisedatherintention，begantomovetheoars，shepointedtothehermitageastheobjectofhercoming。
\"Myfriend，\"shesaid，afteralongpause，duringwhichshehadbeencontemplatingtheskyandwater，thehillsandshores，\"Ihaveastrangerequesttomakeofyou;butIthinkyouareamanwhowouldobeymywishes——\"
\"Inallthings，surethatyoucanwishonlywhatisgood。\"
\"Iwishtomarryyou，\"sheanswered;\"ifyouconsentyouwillaccomplishthewishofadyingwoman，whichiscertaintosecureyourhappiness。\"
\"Iamtoougly，\"saidtheengineer。
\"ThepersontowhomIreferispretty;sheisyoung，andwishestoliveatMontegnac。Ifyouwillmarryheryouwillhelptosoftenmylasthours。Iwillnotdwelluponhervirtuesnow;Ionlysayhernatureisarareone;inthematterofgraceandyouthandbeauty，onelookwillsuffice;youarenowabouttoseeheratthehermitage。Aswereturnhomeyoumustgivemeaseriousyesorno。\"
Hearingthisconfidence，Gerardunconsciouslyquickenedhisoars，whichmadeMadameGraslinsmile。Denise，whowaslivingalone，awayfromalleyes，atthehermitage，recognizedMadameGraslinandimmediatelyopenedthedoor。VeroniqueandGerardentered。Thepoorgirlcouldnothelpablushasshemettheeyesoftheyoungman，whowasgreatlysurprisedatherbeauty。
\"IhopeMadameFarrabeschehasnotletyouwantforanything？\"saidVeronique。
\"Ohno！madame，see！\"andshepointedtoherbreakfast。
\"ThisisMonsieurGerard，ofwhomIspoketoyou，\"wentonVeronique。
\"Heistobemyson’sguardian，andaftermydeathyoushalllivetogetheratthechateauuntilhismajority。\"
\"Oh！madame，donottalkinthatway！\"
\"Mydearchild，lookatme！\"repliedVeronique，addressingDenise，inwhoseeyesthetearsroseinstantly。\"ShehasjustarrivedfromNewYork，\"sheadded，bywayofintroductiontoGerard。
Theengineerputseveralquestionsaboutthenewworldtotheyoungwoman，whileVeronique，leavingthemalone，wenttolookatthethirdandmoredistantlakeoftheGabou。Itwassixo’clockasVeroniqueandGerardreturnedintheboattowardthechalet。
\"Well？\"shesaid，lookingathim。
\"Youhavemypromise。\"
\"Thoughyouare，Iknow，withoutprejudices，\"shewenton，\"Imustnotleaveyouignorantofthereasonwhythatpoorgirl，broughtbackherebyhomesickness，lefttheplaceoriginally。\"
\"Afalsestep？\"
\"Oh，no！\"saidVeronique。\"ShouldIofferhertoyouifthatwereso？
Sheisthesisterofaworkmanwhodiedonthescaffold——\"
\"Ah！Tascheron，\"hesaid，\"themurdererofoldPingret。\"
\"Yes，sheisthesisterofamurderer，\"saidMadameGraslin，inabittertone;\"youareatlibertytotakebackyourpromiseand——\"
Shedidnotfinish，andGerardwasobligedtocarryhertothebenchbeforethechalet，wheresheremainedunconsciousforsomelittletime。WhensheopenedhereyesGerardwasonhiskneesbeforeherandhesaidinstantly:——
\"IwillmarryDenise。\"
MadameGraslintookhisheadinbothhandsandkissedhimontheforehead;then，seeinghissurpriseatsomuchgratitude，shepressedhishandandsaid:
\"Beforelongyouwillknowthesecretofallthis。Letusgobacktotheterrace，foritislate;Iamverytired，butImustlookmylastonthatdearplain。\"
Thoughthedayhadbeeninsupportablyhot，thestormswhichduringthisyeardevastatedpartsofEuropeandofFrancebutrespectedtheLimousin，hadruntheircourseinthebasinoftheLoire，andtheatmospherewassingularlyclear。Theskywassopurethattheeyecouldseizetheslightestdetailsonthehorizon。Whatlanguagecanrenderthedelightfulconcertofbusysoundsproducedinthevillagebythereturnoftheworkersfromthefields？Suchascene，toberightlygiven，needsagreatlandscapeartistandalsoagreatpainterofthehumanface。Istherenot，bythebye，inthelassitudeofNatureandthatofmanacuriousaffinitywhichisdifficulttograsp？
Thedepressingheatofadog—dayandtherarificationoftheairgivetotheleastsoundmadebyhumanbeingsallitssignification。Thewomenseatedontheirdoorstepsandwaitingfortheirhusbands（whooftenbringbackthechildren）gossipwitheachotherwhilestillatwork。Theroofsarecastingupthelinesofsmokewhichtelloftheeveningmeal，thegayestamongthepeasantry;afterwhich，theysleep。
Allactionsexpressthetranquilcheerfulthoughtsofthosewhoseday’sworkisover。Songsareheardverydifferentincharacterfromthoseofthemorning;inthisthepeasantsimitatethebirds，whosewarblingatnightistotallyunliketheirnotesatdawn。Allnaturesingsahymntorest，asitsangahymnofjoytothecomingsun。Theslightestmovementsoflivingbeingsseemtintedthenwiththesoft，harmoniouscolorsofthesunsetcastuponthelandscapeandlendingeventothedustyroadwaysaplacidair。Ifanydareddenytheinfluenceofthishour，theloveliestoftheday，theflowerswouldprotestandintoxicatehissenseswiththeirpenetratingperfumes，whichthenexhaleandminglewiththetenderhumofinsectsandtheamorousnoteofbirds。
Thebrookswhichthreadedtheplainbeyondthevillagewereveiledinfleecyvapor。Inthegreatmeadowsthroughwhichthehigh—roadran，——
borderedwithpoplars，acacias，andailanthus，wiselyintermingledandalreadygivingshade，——enormousandjustlycelebratedherdsofcattlewerescatteredhereandthere，somestillgrazing，othersruminating。
Men，women，andchildrenwereendingtheirday’sworkinthehay—
field，themostpicturesqueofallthecountrytoils。Thenightair，freshenedbydistantstorms，broughtonitswingsthesatisfyingodorsofthenewlycutgrassorthefinishedhay。Everyfeatureofthisbeautifulpanoramacouldbeseenperfectly;thosewhofearedacomingstormwerefinishinginhastethehay—stacks，whileothersfollowedwiththeirpitchforkstofillthecartsastheyweredrivenalongtherows。Othersinthedistancewerestillmowing，orturningthelonglinesoffallengrasstodryit，orhasteningtopileitintococks。
Thejoyouslaughofthemerryworkersminglingwiththeshoutsofthechildrentumblingeachotherinthehay，roseontheair。Theeyecoulddistinguishthepink，red，orbluepetticoats，thekerchiefs，andthebarelegsandarmsofthewomen，allwearingbroad—brimmedhatsofacoarsestraw，andtheshirtsandtrousersofthemen，thelatteralmostinvariablywhite。Thelastraysofthesunwerefilteringthroughthelonglinesofpoplarsplantedbesidethetrencheswhichdividedtheplainintomeadowsofunequalsize，andcaressingthegroupsofhorsesandcarts，men，women，children，andcattle。Thecattlemenandtheshepherd—girlswerebeginningtocollecttheirflockstothesoundofrustichorns。
Thescenewasnoisy，yetsilent，——aparadoxicalstatement，whichwillsurpriseonlythosetowhomthecharacterofcountrylifeisstillunknown。Fromallsidescamethecarts，ladenwithfragrantfodder。
Therewassomething，Iknownotwhat，oftorporinthescene。
VeroniquewalkedslowlyandsilentlybetweenGerardandtherector，whohadjoinedherontheterrace。
ThroughtheopeningsmadebytherurallanesrunningdownbelowtheterracetothemainstreetofMontegnacGerardandMonsieurBonnetcouldseethefacesofmen，women，andchildrenturnedtowardthem;
watchingmoreparticularly，nodoubt，forMadameGraslin。Howmuchoftendernessandgratitudewasexpressedonthosefaces！HowmanybenedictionsfollowedVeronique’sfootsteps！Withwhatreverentattentionwerethethreebenefactorsofawholecommunityregarded！
Manwasaddingahymnofgratitudetotheotherchantsofevening。
WhileMadameGraslinwalkedonwithhereyesfastenedonthelong，magnificentgreenpastures，hermostcherishedcreation，thepriestandthemayordidnottaketheireyesfromthegroupsbelow，whoseexpressionitwasimpossibletomisinterpret;pain，sadness，andregret，mingledwithhope，wereplainlyonallthosefaces。NooneinMontegnacoritsneighborhoodwasignorantthatMonsieurRoubaudhadgonetoParistobringthebestphysicianscienceafforded，orthatthebenefactressofthewholedistrictwasinthelaststagesofafatalillness。InallthemarketsthroughacircumferenceofthirtymilesthepeasantsaskedthoseofMontegnac，——
\"Howisyourgoodwomannow？\"
Thegreatvisionofdeathhoveredovertheland，anddominatedthatruralpicture。Afar，inthefields，morethanonereapersharpeninghisscythe，morethanoneyounggirl，herarmsrestingonherfork，morethanonefarmerstackinghishay，seeingMadameGraslin，stoodmuteandthoughtful，examiningthatnoblewoman，theblessingoftheCorreze，seekingsomefavorablesignormerelylookingtoadmireher，impelledbyafeelingthatarrestedtheirwork。
\"Sheisoutwalking;thereforeshemustbebetter。\"
Thesesimplewordswereoneverylip。
MadameGraslin’smother，seatedontheironbenchwhichVeroniquehadformerlyplacedattheendoftheterrace，studiedeverymovementofherdaughter;shewatchedherstepinwalking，andafewtearsrolledfromhereyes。Awareofthesecreteffortsofthatsuperhumancourage，sheknewthatVeroniqueatthatmomentwassufferingthetorturesofahorribleagony，andonlymaintainedherselferectbytheexerciseofherheroicwill。Thetears——theyseemedalmostred——whichforcedtheirwayfromthoseagedeyes，andfurrowedthatwrinkledface，theparchmentofwhichseemedincapableofsofteningunderanyemotion，excitedthoseofyoungGraslin，whomMonsieurRuffinhadbetweenhisknees。
\"Whatisthematter，myboy？\"saidthetutor，anxiously。
\"Mygrandmotheriscrying，\"heanswered。
MonsieurRuffin，whoseeyeswereonMadameGraslinasshecametowardthem，nowlookedatMadameSauviat，andwaspowerfullystruckbytheaspectofthatoldhead，likethatofaRomanmatron，petrifiedwithgriefandmoistenedwithtears。
\"Madame，whydidyounotpreventherfromcomingout？\"saidthetutortotheoldmother，augustandsacredinhersilentgrief。
AsVeroniqueadvancedmajesticallywithhernaturallyfineandgracefulstep，MadameSauviat，drivenbydespairatthethoughtofsurvivingherdaughter，allowedthesecretofmanythingsthatawakenedcuriositytoescapeher。
\"Howcanshewalklikethat，\"shecried，\"wearingahorriblehorsehairshirt，whichpricksintoherskinperpetually？\"
Thewordshorrifiedtheyoungman，whowasnotinsensibletotheexquisitegraceofVeronique’smovements;heshudderedashethoughtoftheconstantandterrificstruggleofthesoultomaintainitsempirethusoverthebody。
\"Shehaswornitthirteenyears，——eversincesheceasedtonursetheboy，\"saidtheoldwoman。\"Shehasdonemiracleshere，butifherwholelifewereknowntheyoughttocanonizeher。SinceshecametoMontegnacnoonehaseverseenhereat，anddoyouknowwhy？Alineservesherthreetimesadayapieceofdrybread，andvegetablesboiledinwater，withoutsalt，onacommonplateofredearthlikethosetheyfeedthedogson。Yes，that’showthewomanliveswhohasgivennewlifetothiswholecanton。Shekneelstosayherprayersontheedgeofthathair—shirt。Shesaysshecouldnothavethatsmilingairyouknowshealwayshasunlessshepractisedtheseausterities。I
tellyouthis，\"addedtheoldwoman，sinkinghervoice，\"sothatyoumayrepeatittothedoctorthatMonsieurRoubaudhasgonetofetch。
Iftheycouldpreventmydaughterfromcontinuingthesepenances，perhapstheymightstillsaveher，thoughdeathhaslaiditshanduponherhead。Seeforyourself！Ah！Imustbestrongindeedtohavebornesomanythingsthesefifteenyears。\"
Theoldwomantookhergrandson’shandandpasseditoverherforeheadandcheeksasifthechild’stouchshedahealingbalmthere;thenshekisseditwithanaffectionthesecretofwhichbelongstograndmothersasmuchasitbelongstomothers。
Veroniquewasnowonlyafewfeetfromthebench，incompanywithClousier，therector，andGerard。Illuminatedbytheglowofthesettingsun，sheshonewithadreadfulbeauty。Heryellowforehead，furrowedwithlongwrinklesmassedoneabovetheotherlikelayersofclouds，revealedafixedthoughtinthemidstofinwardtroubles。Herface，devoidofallcolor，entirelywhitewiththedead，greenishwhitenessofplantswithoutlight，wasthin，thoughnotwithered，andborethesignsofterriblephysicalsufferingsproducedbymentalanguish。Shefoughthersoulwithherbody，and/viceversa/。Shewassocompletelydestroyedthatshenomoreresembledherselfthananoldwomanresemblesherportraitasagirl。Theardentexpressionofhereyesdeclaredthedespoticempireexercisedbyadevoutwilloverabodyreducedtowhatreligionrequiresittobe。InthiswomanthesouldraggedthefleshastheAchillesofprofanestorydraggedHector;forfifteenyearsshedraggeditvictoriouslyalongthestonypathsoflifearoundthecelestialJerusalemshehopedtoenter，notbyaviledeception，butwithacclamation。NosolitarythateverlivedinthedryandariddesertsofAfricawasevermoremasterofhissensesthanwasVeroniqueinhermagnificentchateau，amongthesoft，voluptuoussceneryofthatopulentland，beneaththeprotectingmantleofthatrichforest，whencescience，theheirofMoses’wand，hadcalledforthplenty，prosperity，andhappinessforawholeregion。Shecontemplatedtheresultsoftwelveyears’patience，aworkwhichmighthavemadethefameofmanyasuperiorman，withagentlemodestysuchasPontornohaspaintedinthesublimefaceofhis\"ChristianChastitycaressingtheCelestialUnicorn。\"Themistressofthemanor，whosesilencewasrespectedbyhercompanionswhentheysawthathereyeswererovingoverthosevastplains，oncearid，andnowfertilebyherwill，walkedon，herarmsfolded，withadistantlook，asiftosomefarhorizon，onherface。
XX
THELASTSTRUGGLE
Suddenlyshestopped，afewfeetfromhermother，wholookedatherasthemotherofChristmusthavelookedathersonuponthecross。Sheraisedherhand，andpointingtothespotwheretheroadtoMontegnacbranchedfromthehighway，shesaid，smiling:——
\"Seethatcarriagewiththepost—horses;MonsieurRoubaudisreturningtous。WeshallnowknowhowmanyhoursIhavetolive。\"
\"Hours？\"saidGerard。
\"DidInottellyouIwastakingmylastwalk？\"shereplied。\"Ihavecomeheretoseeforthelasttimethisglorioussceneinallitssplendor！\"Shepointedfirsttothevillagewherethewholepopulationseemedtobecollectedinthechurchsquare，andthentothebeautifulmeadowsglowinginthelastraysofthesettingsun。\"Ah！\"shesaid，\"letmeseethebenedictionofGodinthestrangeatmosphericconditiontowhichweowethesafetyofourharvest。Aroundus，onallsides，tempests，hail，lightning，havestruckincessantlyandpitilessly。Thecommonpeoplethinkthus，whynotI？Idosoneedtoseeinthisahappyauguryforwhatawaitsmeafterdeath！\"
Thechildstoodupandtookhismother’shandandlaiditonhishead。
Veronique，deeplyaffectedbytheaction，sofullofeloquence，tookuphersonwithsupernaturalstrength，seatinghimonherleftarmasthoughhewerestillaninfantatherbreast，saying，asshekissedhim:——
\"Doyouseethatland，myson？Whenyouareaman，continuethereyourmother’swork。\"
\"Madame，\"saidtherector，inagravevoice，\"afewstrongandprivilegedbeingsareabletocontemplatetheircomingdeathfacetoface，tofight，asitwere，aduelwithit，andtodisplayacourageandanabilitywhichchallengeadmiration。Youshowusthisterriblespectacle;butperhapsyouhavetoolittlepityforus;leaveusatleastthehopethatyoumaybemistaken，andthatGodwillallowyoutofinishthatwhichyouhavebegun。\"
\"AllIhavedoneisthroughyou，myfriends，\"shesaid。\"Ihavebeenuseful，Icanbesonolonger。Allisfruitfularoundusnow;nothingisbarrenanddesolatedhereexceptmyheart。Youwellknow，mydearrector，thatIcanonlyfindpeaceandpardon/there/。\"
Shestretchedherhandtowardthecemetery。Neverhadshesaidasmuchsincethedayofherarrival，whenshewastakenwithsuddenillnessatthesamespot。Therectorlookedattentivelyathispenitent，andthehabitofpenetrationhehadlongacquiredmadehimseethatinthosesimplewordshehadwonanothertriumph。Veroniquemusthavemadeamightyeffortoverherselftobreakhertwelveyears’silencewithaspeechthatsaidsomuch。Therectorclaspedhishandswithaferventgesturethatwasnaturaltohimashelookedwithdeepemotionatthemembersofthisfamilywhosesecretshadpassedintohisheart。
Gerard，towhomthewords\"peaceandpardon\"musthaveseemedstrange，wasbewildered。MonsieurRuffin，withhiseyesfixedonVeronique，wasstupefied。Atthisinstantthecarriagecamerapidlyuptheavenue。
\"Therearefiveofthem！\"criedtherector，whocouldseeandcountthetravellers。
\"Five！\"exclaimedGerard。\"Canfiveknowmorethantwo？\"
\"Ah，\"criedMadameGraslinsuddenly，graspingtherector’sarm，\"the/procureur—general/isamongthem！Whatishedoinghere？\"
\"AndpapaGrossetete，too！\"criedFrancis。
\"Madame，\"saidtherector，supportingVeronique，andleadingherapartafewsteps，\"showcourage;beworthyofyourself。\"
\"Butwhatcanhewant？\"shereplied，leaningonthebalustrade。
\"Mother！\"（theoldwomanrantoherdaughterwithanactivitythatbeliedheryears。）\"Ishallseehimagain，\"shesaid。
\"AshecomeswithMonsieurGrossetete，\"saidtherector，\"hecanhavenonebutgoodintentions。\"
\"Ah！monsieur，mychildwilldie！\"criedMadameSauviat，seeingtheeffectoftherector’swordsonherdaughter’sface。\"Howcanherheartsurvivesuchemotions？MonsieurGrossetetehasalwayshithertopreventedthatmanfromseeingVeronique。\"
MadameGraslin’sfacewasonfire。
\"Doyouhatehimsomuch？\"saidtheAbbeBonnet。
\"SheleftLimogestoescapethesightofhim，andtoescapelettingthewholetownintohersecrets，\"saidMadameSauviat，terrifiedatthechangeshesawonMadameGraslin’sfeatures。
\"Doyounotseethathewillpoisonmyfewremaininghours？WhenI
oughttobethinkingofheavenhewillnailmetoearth，\"criedVeronique。
Therectortookherarmandconstrainedhertowalkasidewithhim。
Whentheywerealonehestoppedandgaveheroneofthoseangeliclookswithwhichhewasabletocalmtheviolentconvulsionsofthesoul。
\"Ifitisreallyso，\"hesaid，\"asyourconfessor，Iorderyoutoreceivehim，tobekindandaffectionatetohim，toquitthatgarmentofwrath，andforgivehimasGodwillforgiveyou。CantherestillbetheremainsofpassionofasoulIbelievedtobepurified。Burnthislastincenseonthealtarofyourpenitence，orelseyourrepentanceisalie。\"
\"Therewasstillthatefforttomake——anditismade，\"sheanswered，wipinghereyes。\"Thedevillurkedinthatlastfoldofmyheart，andGod，nodoubt，putintoMonsieurdeGrandville’smindthethoughtthatbringshimhere。Ah！howmanytimesmustGodstrikeme？\"shecried。
Shestopped，asiftosayamentalprayer;thenshereturnedtoMadameSauviatandsaidinalowvoice:
\"Mydearmother，bekindandgentletoMonsieurdeGrandville。\"
Theoldwomanclaspedherhandswithafeverishshudder。
\"Thereisnolongeranyhope，\"shesaid，seizingtherector’shand。
Thecarriage，announcedbythepostilion’swhip，wasnowcomingupthelastslope;thegateswereopened，itenteredthecourtyard，andthetravellerscameatoncetotheterrace。TheyweretheillustriousArchbishopDutheil，whowasonhiswaytoconsecrateMonseigneurGabrieldeRastignac，the/procureur—general/，MonsieurdeGrandville，MonsieurGrossetete，MonsieurRoubaud，andoneofthemostcelebratedphysiciansinParis，HoraceBianchon。
\"Youareverywelcome，\"saidVeronique，advancingtowardthem，——\"youparticularly，\"sheadded，offeringherhandtoMonsieurdeGrandville，whotookitandpressedit。
\"IcountedontheinterventionofMonseigneurandonthatofmyfriendMonsieurGrossetetetoobtainformeafavorablereception，\"saidthe/procureur—general/。\"Itwouldhavebeenalife—longregrettomeifI
didnotseeyouagain。\"
\"Ithankthosewhobroughtyouhere，\"repliedVeronique，lookingattheComtedeGrandvilleforthefirsttimeinfifteenyears。\"Ihavefeltaversetoyouforaverylongtime，butInowrecognizetheinjusticeofmyfeelings;andyoushallknowwhy，ifyoucanstaytillthedayafterto—morrowatMontegnac。\"ThenturningtoHoraceBianchonandbowingtohim，sheadded:\"Monsieurwillnodoubtconfirmmyapprehensions。Godmusthavesentyou，Monseigneur，\"shesaid，turningtothearchbishop。\"Inmemoryofouroldfriendshipyouwillnotrefusetoassistmeinmylastmoments。BywhosemercyisitthatI
haveaboutmeallthebeingswhohavelovedandsupportedmeinlife？\"
Asshesaidtheword/loved/sheturnedwithagraciouslooktoMonsieurdeGrandville，whowastouchedtotearsbythismarkoffeeling。Silencefellforafewmomentsoneveryone。Thedoctorswonderedbywhatoccultpowerthiswomancouldstillkeepherfeet，sufferingasshemusthavesuffered。Theotherthreemenweresoshockedattheravagesdiseasehadsuddenlymadeinherthattheycommunicatedtheirthoughtsbytheireyesonly。
\"Allowme，\"shesaid，withheraccustomedgrace，\"toleaveyounowwiththesegentlemen;thematterisurgent。\"
Shebowedtoherguests，gaveanarmtoeachofthedoctors，andwalkedtowardthechateaufeeblyandslowly，withadifficultywhichtoldonlytooplainlyofthecomingcatastrophe。
