Atthetimeofthecreationofthegendarmerie，theComtede，Soulanges，whobythattimehadbecomeacolonel，askedforabrigade，forhisformerprotector，andlaterstillhesolicitedthepostwe，havenamedfortheyoungerSoudry。Besidesalltheseinfluences，the，marriageofMademoiselleGaubertinwithawealthybankerofthequai，Bethumemadetheunjuststewardfeelthathewasfarstrongerinthe，communitythanalieutenant-generaldrivenintoretirement。
Ifthishistoryprovidednootherinstructionthatthatofferedbythe，quarrelbetweenthegeneralandhissteward，itwouldstillbeuseful，tomanypersonsasalessonfortheirconductinlife。Hewhoreads，Machiavelliprofitably，knowsthathumanprudenceconsistsinnever，threatening;indoingbutnotsaying;inpromotingtheretreatofan，enemyandneverstepping，asthesayingis，onthetailofthe，serpent;andinavoiding，asonewouldmurder，theinflictionofa，blowtotheself-loveofanyonelowerthanone’sself。Aninjurydone，toaperson’sinterest，nomatterhowgreatitmaybeatthetime，is，forgivenorexplainedinthelongrun;butself-love，vanity，never，ceasestobleedfromawoundgiven，andneverforgivesit。Themoral，beingisactuallymoresensitive，morelivingasitwere，thanthe，physicalbeing。Theheartandthebloodarelessimpressiblethanthe，nerves。Inshort，ourinwardbeingrulesus，nomatterwhatwedo。You，mayreconciletwofamilieswhohavehalf-killedeachother，asin，BrittanyandinLaVendeeduringthecivilwars，butyoucannomore，reconcilethecalumniatorsandthecalumniatedthanyoucanthe，spoilersandthedespoiled。Itisonlyinepicpoemsthatmencurse，eachotherbeforetheykill。Thesavage，andthepeasantwhoismuch，likeasavage，seldomspeakunlesstodeceiveanenemy。Eversince，1789Francehasbeentryingtomakemanbelieve，againstallevidence，thattheyareequal。Tosaytoaman，“Youareaswindler，“maybe，takenasajoke;buttocatchhimintheactandproveittohimwith，acaneonhisback，tothreatenhimwithapolice-courtandnotfollow，upthethreat，istoremindhimoftheinequalityofconditions。If，themasseswillnotbrookanyspeciesofsuperiority，isitlikely，thataswindlerwillforgivethatofanhonestman？
Montcornetmighthavedismissedhisstewardunderpretextofpaying，offamilitaryobligationbyputtingsomeoldsoldierinhisplace;
Gaubertinandthegeneralwouldhaveunderstoodthematter，andthe，latter，bysparingthesteward’sself-lovewouldhavegivenhima，chancetowithdrawquietly。Gaubertin，inthatcase，wouldhaveleft，hislateemployerinpeace，andpossiblyhemighthavetakenhimself，andhissavingstoParisforinvestment。Butbeing，ashewas，ignominiouslydismissed，themanconceivedagainsthislatemasterone，ofthosebitterhatredswhichareliterallyapartofexistencein，provinciallife，thepersistency，duration，andplotsofwhichwould，astonishdiplomatistswhoaretrainedtoletnothingastonishthem。A
burningdesireforvengeanceledhimtosettleatVille-aux-Fayes，and，totakeapositionwherehecouldinjureMontcornetandstirup，sufficientenmityagainsttoforcehimtosellLesAigues。
Thegeneralwasdeceivedbyappearances;forGaubertin’sexternal，behaviorwasnotofanaturetowarnortoalarmhim。Thelatesteward，followedhisoldcustomofpretending，notexactlypoverty，but，limitedmeans。Foryearshehadtalkedofhiswifeandthreechildren，andtheheavyexpensesofalargefamily。MademoiselleLaguerre，to，whomhehaddeclaredhimselftoopoortoeducatehissoninParis，paidthecostsherself，andallowedherdeargodson(forshewas，ClaudeGaubertin’ssponsor)twothousandfrancsayear。
Thedayafterthequarrel，Gaubertincame，withakeepernamed，Courtecuisse，anddemandedwithmuchinsolencehisreleaseinfullof，allclaims，showingthegeneraltheonehehadobtainedfromhislate，mistressinsuchflatteringterms，andasking，ironically，thata，searchshouldbemadefortheproperty，realandotherwise，whichhe，wassupposedtohavestolen。Ifhehadreceivedfeesfromthewood-
merchantsontheirpurchasesandfromthefarmersontheirleases，MademoiselleLaguerre，hesaid，hadalwaysallowedit;notonlydid，shegainbythebargainshemade，buteverythingwentonsmoothly，withouttroublingher。Thecountry-peoplewouldhavedied，he，remarked，forMademoiselle，whereasthegeneralwaslayingupfor，himselfastoreofdifficulties。
Gaubertin——andthistraitisfrequentlytobeseeninthemajorityof，thoseprofessionsinwhichthepropertyofotherscanbetakenby，meansnotforeseenbytheCode——consideredhimselfaperfectlyhonest，man。Inthefirstplace，hehadsolonghadpossessionofthemoney，extortedfromMademoiselleLaguerre’sfarmersthroughfear，andpaid，inassignats，thatheregardeditaslegitimatelyacquired。Itwasa，merematterofexchange。Hethoughtthatintheendheshouldhave，quiteasmuchriskwithcoinaswithpaper。Besides，legally，Mademoisellehadnorighttoreceiveanypaymentexceptinassignats。
“Legally“isafine，robustadverb，whichbolstersupmanyafortune！
Moreover，hereflectedthateversincegreatestatesandland-agents，hadexisted，thatis，eversincetheoriginofsociety，thesaid，agentshadsetup，fortheirownuse，anargumentsuchaswefindour，cooksusinginthispresentday。Hereitis，initssimplicity：——
“Ifmymistress，“saysthecook，“wenttomarketherself，shewould，havetopaymoreforherprovisionsthanIchargeher;sheisthe，gainer，andtheprofitsImakedomoregoodinmyhandsthaninthose，ofthedealers。”
“IfMademoiselle，“thoughtGaubertin，“weretomanageLesAigues，herself，shewouldnevergetthirtythousandfrancsayearoutofit;
thepeasants，thedealers，theworkmenwouldrobheroftherest。It，ismuchbetterthatIshouldhaveit，andsoenablehertolivein，peace。”
TheCatholicreligion，anditalone，isabletopreventthese，capitulationsofconscience。But，eversince1789religionhasno，influenceontwothirdsoftheFrenchpeople。Thepeasants，whose，mindsarekeenandwhosepovertydrivesthemtoimitation，had，reached，speciallyinthevalleyofLesAigues，afrightfulstateof，demoralization。TheywenttomassonSundays，butonlyattheoutside，ofthechurch，whereitwastheircustomtomeetandtransactbusiness，andmaketheirweeklybargains。
Wecannowestimatetheextentoftheevildonebythecareless，indifferenceofthegreatsingertothemanagementofherproperty。
MademoiselleLaguerrebetrayed，throughmereselfishness，the，interestsofthosewhoownedproperty，whoareheldinperpetual，hatredbythosewhoownnone。Since1792theland-ownersofParishave，becomeofnecessityacombinedbody。If，alas，thefeudalfamilies，lessnumerousthanthemiddle-classfamilies，didnotperceivethe，necessityofcombiningin1400underLouisXI。norin1600under，Richelieu，canweexpectthatinthisnineteenthcenturyofprogress，themiddleclasseswillprovetobemorepermanentlyandsolidly，combinedthattheoldnobility？Anoligarchyofahundredthousand，richmenpresentsallthedangersofademocracywithnoneofits，advantages。Theprincipleof“everymanforhimselfandforhisown，“
theselfishnessofindividualinterests，willkilltheoligarchical，selfishnesssonecessarytotheexistenceofmodernsociety，andwhich，Englandhaspractisedwithsuchsuccessforthelastthreecenturies。
Whatevermaybesaidordone，land-ownerswillneverunderstandthe，necessityofthesortofinternaldisciplinewhichmadetheChurch，suchanadmirablemodelofgovernment，until，toolate，theyfind，themselvesindangerfromoneanother。Theaudacitywithwhich，communism，thatlivingandactinglogicofdemocracy，attackssociety，fromthemoralside，showsplainlythattheSamsonofto-day，grown，prudent，isunderminingthefoundationsofthecellar，insteadof，shakingthepillarsofthehall。
CHAPTERVII
CERTAINLOSTSOCIALSPECIES
TheestateofLesAiguescouldnotdowithoutasteward;forthe，generalhadnointentionofrenouncinghiswinterpleasuresinParis，whereheownedafinehouseintherueNeuve-des-Mathurines。He，thereforelookedaboutforasuccessortoGaubertin;butitisvery，certainthathissearchwasnotaseagerasthatofGaubertinhimself，whowasseekingfortherightpersontoputinhisway。
Ofallconfidentialpositionsthereisnonethatrequiresmoretrained，knowledgeofitskind，ormoreactivity，thanthatofland-stewardto，agreatestate。Thedifficultyoffindingtherightmanisonlyfully，knowntothosewealthylandlordswhosepropertyliesbeyondacertain，circlearoundParis，beginningatadistanceofaboutonehundredand，fiftymiles。Atthatpointagriculturalproductionsforthemarketsof，Paris，whichwarrantrentalsonlongleases(collectedoftenbyother，tenantswhoarerichthemselves)，ceasetobecultivated。Thefarmers，whoraisethemdrivetothecityintheirowncabrioletstopaytheir，rentsingoodbank-bills，unlesstheysendthemoneythroughtheir，agentsinthemarkets。Forthisreason，thefarmsoftheSeine-et-
Oise，Seine-et-Marne，theOise，theEure-et-Loir，theLowerSeine，and，theLoiretaresodesirablethatcapitalcannotalwaysbeinvested，thereatoneandahalfpercent。Comparedtothereturnsonestates，inHolland，England，andBelgium，thisresultisenormous。Butatone，hundredmilesfromParisanestaterequiressuchvarietyofworking，itsproductsaresodifferentinkind，thatitbecomesabusiness，withalltherisksattendantonmanufacturing。Thewealthyowneris，reallyamerchant，forcedtolookforamarketforhisproducts，like，theownerofironworksorcottonfactories。Hedoesnotevenescape，competition;thepeasant，thesmallproprietor，isathisheelswith，anaviditywhichleadstotransactionstowhichwell-bredpersons，cannotcondescend。
Aland-stewardmustunderstandsurveying，thecustomsofthelocality，themethodsofsaleandoflabor，togetherwithalittlequibblingin，theinterestsofthoseheserves;hemustalsounderstandbook-keeping，andcommercialmatters，andbeinperfecthealth，withalikingfor，activelifeandhorseexercise。Hisdutybeingtorepresenthismaster，andtobealwaysincommunicationwithhim，thestewardoughtnotto，beamanofthepeople。Asthesalaryofhisofficeseldomexceeds，threethousandfrancs，theproblemseemsinsoluble。Howisitpossible，toobtainsomanyqualificationsforsuchaverymoderateprice，——ina，region，moreover，wherethemenwhoareprovidedwiththemare，admissibletoallotheremployments？Bringdownastrangertofillthe，place，andyouwillpaydearfortheexperiencehemustacquire。Train，ayoungmanonthespot，andyouaremorethanlikelytogetathorn，ofingratitudeinyourside。Itthereforebecomesnecessarytochoose，betweenincompetenthonesty，whichinjuresyourpropertythroughits，blindnessandinertia，andtheclevernesswhichlooksoutforitself。
Hencethesocialnomenclatureandnaturalhistoryofland-stewardsas，definedbyagreatPolishnoble。
“Thereare，“hesaid，“twokindsofstewards：hewhothinksonlyof，himself，andhewhothinksofhimselfandofus;happytheland-owner，wholayshishandsonthelatter！Asforthestewardwhowouldthink，onlyofus，heisnottobemetwith。”
Elsewherecanbefoundastewardwhothoughtofthismaster’s，interestsaswellasofhisown。(“UnDebutdanslavie，““Scenesde，lavieprivee。”)Gaubertinisthestewardwhothinksofhimselfonly。
Torepresentthethirdfigureoftheproblemwouldbetoholdupto，publicadmirationaveryunlikelypersonage，yetonethatwasnot，unknowntotheoldnobility，thoughhehas，alas！disappearedwith，them。(See“LeCabinetdesAntiques，““Scenesdelaviedeprovince。”)
Throughtheendlesssubdivisionoffortunesaristocratichabitsand，customsareinevitablychanged。IftherebenotnowinFrancetwenty，greatfortunesmanagedbyintendants，infiftyyearsfromnowthere，willnotbeahundredestatesinthehandsofstewards，unlessagreat，changeismadeinthelaw。Everyland-ownerwillbebroughtbythat，timetolookafterhisowninterests。
Thistransformation，alreadybegun，suggestedthefollowinganswerof，acleverwomanwhenaskedwhy，since1830，shestayedinParisduring，thesummer。“Because，“shesaid，“Idonotcaretovisitchateaux，whicharenowturnedintofarms。”Whatistobethefutureofthis，question，gettingdailymoreandmoreimperative，——thatofmantoman，thepoormanandtherichman？Thisbookiswrittentothrowsome，lightuponthatterriblesocialquestion。
Itiseasytounderstandtheperplexitieswhichassailedthegeneral，afterhehaddismissedGaubertin。Whilesayingtohimself，vaguely，likeotherpersonsfreetodoornottodoathing，“I’lldismissthat，scamp“;hehadoverlookedtheriskandforgottentheexplosionofhis，boilinganger，——theangerofacholericfire-eateratthemomentwhen，aflagrantimpositionforcedhimtoraisethelidsofhiswilfully，blindeyes。
Montcornet，aland-ownerforthefirsttimeandadenizenofParis，hadnotprovidedhimselfwithastewardbeforecomingtoLesAigues;
butafterstudyingtheneighborhoodcarefullyhesawitwas，indispensabletoamanlikehimselftohaveanintermediarytomanage，somanypersonsoflowdegree。
Gaubertin，whodiscoveredduringtheexcitementofthescene(which，lastedmorethantwohours)thedifficultiesinwhichthegeneral，wouldsoonbeinvolved，jumpedonhisponyafterleavingtheroom，wherethequarreltookplace，andgallopedtoSoulangestoconsultthe，Soudrys。Athisfirstwords，“ThegeneralandIhaveparted;whomcan，weputinmyplacewithouthissuspectingit？”theSoudrysunderstood，theirfriend’swishes。DonotforgetthatSoudry，forthelast，seventeenyearschiefofpoliceofthecanton，wasdoublyshrewd，throughhiswife，anadeptintheparticularwilinessofawaiting-
maidofanOperadivinity。
“Wemaygofar，“saidMadameSoudry，“beforewefindanyonetosuit，theplaceaswellasourpoorSibilet。”
“Madetoorder！”exclaimedGaubertin，stillscarletwith，mortification。“Lupin，“headded，turningtothenotary，whowas，present，“gotoVille-aux-FayesandwhisperittoMarechal，incase，thatbigfire-eateraskshisadvice。”
Marechalwasthelawyerwhomhisformerpatron，whenbuyingLesAigues，forthegeneral，hadrecommendedtoMonsieurdeMontcornetaslegal，adviser。
Sibilet，eldestsonoftheclerkofthecourtatVille-aux-Fayes，a，notary’sclerk，withoutapennyofhisown，andtwenty-fiveyearsold，hadfalleninlovewiththedaughterofthechief-magistrateof，Soulanges。Thelatter，namedSarcus，hadasalaryoffifteenhundred，francs，andwasmarriedtoawomanwithoutfortune，theeldestsister，ofMonsieurVermut，theapothecaryofSoulanges。Thoughanonly，daughter，MademoiselleSarcus，whosebeautywasheronlydowry，could，scarcelyhavelivedonthesalarypaidtoanotary’sclerkinthe，provinces。YoungSibilet，arelativeofGaubertin，byaconnection，ratherdifficulttotracethroughfamilyramificationswhichmake，membersofthemiddleclassesinallthesmallertownscousinstoeach，other，owedamodestpositioninagovernmentofficetotheassistance，ofhisfatherandGaubertin。Theunluckyfellowhadtheterrible，happinessofbeingthefatheroftwochildreninthreeyears。Hisown，father，blessedwithfive，wasunabletoassisthim。Hiswife’sfather，ownednothingbesidehishouseatSoulangesandanincomeoftwo，thousandfrancs。MadameSibilettheyoungerspentmostofhertimeat，herfather’shomewithhertwochildren，whereAdolpheSibilet，whose，officialdutyobligedhimtotravelthroughthedepartment，cameto，seeherfromtimetotime。
Gaubertin’sexclamation，thougheasytounderstandfromthissummary，ofyoungSibilet’slife，needsafewmoreexplanatorydetails。
AdolpheSibilet，supremelyunlucky，aswehaveshownbytheforegoing，sketchofhim，wasoneofthosemenwhocannotreachtheheartofa，womanexceptbywayofthealtarandthemayor’soffice。Endowedwith，thesupplenessofasteel-spring，heyieldedtopressure，certainto，reverttohisfirstthought。Thistreacheroushabitispromptedby，cowardice;butthebusinesstrainingwhichSibiletunderwentinthe，officeofaprovincialnotaryhadtaughthimtheartofconcealing，thisdefectunderagruffmannerwhichsimulatedastrengthhedidnot，possess。Manyfalsenaturesmasktheirhollownessinthisway;be，roughwiththeminreturnandtheeffectproducedisthatofaballoon，collapsedbyaprick。SuchwasSibilet。Butasmostmenarenot，observers，andasamongobserversthreefourthsobserveonlyaftera，thinghastakenplace，AdolpheSibilet’sgrumblingmannerwas，consideredtheresultofanhonestfrankness，ofacapacitymuch，praisedbyhismaster，andofastubbornuprightnesswhichno，temptationcouldshake。Somemenareasmuchbenefitedbytheir，defectsasothersbytheirgoodqualities。
AdelineSarcus，aprettyyoungwoman，broughtupbyamother(whodied，threeyearsbeforehermarriage)aswellasamothercaneducatean，onlydaughterinaremotecountrytown，wasinlovewiththehandsome，sonofLupin，theSoulangesnotary。Atthefirstsignsofthis，romance，oldLupin，whointendedtomarryhissontoMademoiselle，EliseGaubertin，lostnotimeinsendingyoungAmauryLupintoParis，tothecareofhisfriendandcorrespondentCrottat，thenotary，where，underpretextofdrawingdeedsandcontracts，Amaurycommitted，avarietyoffoolishacts，andmadedebts，beingledtheretobya，certainGeorgesMarest，aclerkinthesameoffice，butarichyoung，man，whorevealedtohimthemysteriesofParisianlife。Bythetime，LupintheelderwenttoParistobringbackhisson，AdelineSarcus，hadbecomeMadameSibilet。Infact，whentheadoringAdolpheoffered，himself，herfather，theoldmagistrate，promptedbyyoungLupin’s，father，hastenedthemarriage，towhichAdelineyieldedinsheer，despair。
Thesituationofclerkinagovernmentregistrationofficeisnota，career。Itis，likeothersuchplaceswhichadmitofnorise，oneof，themanyholesofthegovernmentsieve。Thosewhostartinlifein，theseholes(thetopographical，theprofessorial，thehighway-and-
canaldepartments)areapttodiscover，invariablytoolate，that，cleverermenthenthey，seatedbesidethem，arefed，astheOpposition，writerssay，onthesweatofthepeople，everytimethesievedips，downintothetaxation-potbymeansofamachinecalledthebudget。
Adolphe，workingearlyandlateandearninglittle，soonfoundoutthe，barrendepthsofhishole;andhisthoughtsbusiedthemselves，ashe，trottedfromtownshiptotownship，spendinghissalaryinshoe-leather，andcostsoftravelling，withhowtofindapermanentandmore，profitableplace。
Noonecanimagine，unlesshehappenstosquintandtohavetwo，legitimatechildren，whatambitionsthreeyearsofmiseryandlovehad，developedinthisyoungman，whosquintedbothinmindandvision，and，whosehappinesshalted，asitwere，ononeleg。Thechiefcauseof，secretevildeedsandhiddenmeannessis，perhaps，anincompleted，happiness。Mancanbetterbearastateofhopelessmiserythanthose，terriblealternationsofloveandsunshinewithcontinualrain。Ifthe，bodycontractsdisease，themindcontractstheleprosyofenvy。In，pettymindsthatleprosybecomesabaseandbrutalcupidity，both，insolentandshrinking;incultivatedmindsitfostersanti-social，doctrines，whichserveamanasfootholdsbywhichtoriseabovehis，superiors。Maywenotdignifywiththetitleofproverbthepregnant，saying，“Tellmewhatthouhast，andIwilltelltheeofwhatthouart，thinking“？
ThoughAdolphelovedhiswife，hishourlythoughtwas：“Ihavemadea，mistake;Ihavethreeballsandchains，butIhaveonlytwolegs。I
oughttohavemademyfortunebeforeImarried。Icouldhavefoundan，Adelineanyday;butAdelinestandsinthewayofmygettingafortune，now。”
AdolphehadbeentoseehisrelationGaubertinthreetimesinthree，years。AfewwordsexchangedbetweenthemletGaubertinseethemuck，ofasoulreadytofermentunderthehottemptationsoflegalrobbery。
Hewarilysoundedanaturethatcouldbewarpedtotheexigenciesof，anyplan，provideditwasprofitable。Ateachofthethreevisits，Sibiletgrumbledathisfate。
“Employme，cousin，“hesaid;“takemeasaclerkandmakemeyour，successor。YoushallseehowIwork。Iamcapableofoverthrowing，mountainstogivemyAdeline，Iwon’tsayluxury，butamodest，competence。YoumadeMonsieurLeclercq’sfortune;whywon’tyouputme，inabankinParis？”
“Someday，lateron，I’llfindyouaplace，“Gaubertinwouldsay;
“meantimemakefriendsandacquaintance;suchthingshelp。”
UnderthesecircumstancestheletterwhichMadameSoudryhastily，dispatchedbroughtSibilettoSoulangesthrougharegionofcastlesin，theair。Hisfather-in-law，Sarcus，whomtheSoudrysadvisedtotake，stepsintheinterestofhisdaughter，hadgoneinthemorningtosee，thegeneralandtoproposeAdolpheforthevacantpost。Byadviceof，MadameSoudry，whowastheoracleofthelittletown，theworthyman，hadtakenhisdaughterwithhim;andthesightofherhadhada，favorableeffectupontheComtedeMontcornet。
“Ishallnotdecide，“heanswered，“withoutthoroughlyinforming，myselfaboutallapplicants;butIwillnotlookelsewhereuntilI
haveexaminedwhetherornotyourson-in-lawpossessesthe，requirementsfortheplace。”Then，turningtoMadameSibiletheadded，“ThesatisfactionofsettlingsocharmingapersonatLesAigues——“
“Themotheroftwochildren，general，“saidAdeline，adroitly，to，evadethegallantryoftheoldcuirassier。
Allthegeneral’sinquirieswerecleverlyanticipatedbytheSoudrys，Gaubertin，andLupin，whoquietlyobtainedfortheircandidatethe，influenceoftheleadinglawyersinthecapitalofthedepartment，wherearoyalcourtheldsessions，——suchasCounsellorGendrin，a，distantrelativeofthejudgeatVille-aux-Fayes;BaronBourlac，attorney-general;andanothercounsellornamedSarcus，acousinthrice，removedofthecandidate。Theverdictofeveryonetowhomthegeneral，applieswasfavorabletothepoorclerk，——“sointeresting，“asthey，calledhim。HismarriagehadmadeSibiletasirreproachableasanovel，ofMissEdgeworth’s，andpresentedhim，moreover，inthelightofa，disinterestedman。
ThetimewhichthedismissedstewardremainedatLesAiguesuntilhis，successorcouldbeappointedwasemployedincreatingtroublesand，annoyancesforhislatemaster;oneofthelittlesceneswhichhethus，playedoffwillgiveanideaofseveralothers。
Themorningofhisfinaldeparturehecontrivedtomeet，asitwere，accidentally，Courtecuisse，theonlykeeperthenemployedatLes，Aigues，thegreatextentofwhichreallyneededatleastthree。
“Well，MonsieurGaubertin，“saidCourtecuisse，“soyouhavehad，troublewiththecount？”
“Whotoldyouthat？”answeredGaubertin。“Well，yes;thegeneral，expectedtoorderusaboutashedidhiscavalry;hedidn’tknow，Burgundians。Thecountisnotsatisfiedwithmyservices，andasIam，notsatisfiedwithhisways，wehavedismissedeachother，almostwith，fisticuffs，forheragedlikeawhirlwind。Takecareofyourself，Courtecuisse！Ah！mydearfellow，Iexpectedtogiveyouabetter，master。”
“Iknowthat，“saidthekeeper，“andI’dhaveservedyouwell。Hang，it，whenfriendshaveknowneachotherfortwentyyears，youknow！You，putmehereinthedaysofthepoordearsaintedMadame。Ah，whata，goodwomanshewas！nonelikehernow！Theplacehaslostamother。”
“Lookhere，Courtecuisse，ifyouarewilling，youmighthelpustoa，finestroke。”
“Thenyouaregoingtostayhere？IheardyouwereofftoParis。”
“No;Ishallwaittoseehowthingsturnout;meantimeIshalldo，businessatVille-aux-Fayes。Thegeneraldoesn’tknowwhatheis，dealingwithintheseparts;he’llmakehimselfhated，don’tyousee？
Ishallwaitforwhatturnsup。Doyourworkheregently;he’lltell，youtomanagethepeoplewithahighhand，forhebeginstoseewhere，hiscropsandhiswoodsarerunningto;butyou’llnotbesuchafool，astoletthecountry-folkmaulyou，andperhapsworse，forthesake，ofhistimber。”
“Buthewouldsendmeaway，dearMonsieurGaubertin，hewouldgetrid，ofme！andyouknowhowhappyIamlivingthereatthegateofthe，Avonne。”
“Thegeneralwillsoongetsickofthewholeplace，“replied，Gaubertin;“youwouldn’tbelongoutevenifhedidhappentosendyou，away。Besides，youknowthosewoods，“headded，wavinghishandatthe，landscape;“Iamstrongertherethanthemasters。”
Thisconversationtookplaceinanopenfield。
“Those’Arminac’Parisianfellowsoughttostayintheirownmud，“
saidthekeeper。
Eversincethequarrelsofthefifteenthcenturytheword’Arminac’
(Armagnacs，Parisians，enemiesoftheDukesofBurgundy)hascontinued，tobeaninsultingtermalongthebordersofUpperBurgundy，whereit，isdifferentlycorruptedaccordingtolocality。
“He’llgobacktoitwhenbeaten，“saidGaubertin，“andwe’llplough，upthepark;foritisrobbingthepeopletoallowamantokeepnine，hundredacresofthebestlandinthevalleyforhisownpleasure。”
“Fourhundredfamiliescouldgettheirlivingfromit，“said，Courtecuisse。
“Ifyouwanttwoacresforyourselfyoumusthelpustodrivethatcur，out，“remarkedGaubertin。
AttheverymomentthatGaubertinwasfulminatingthissentenceof，excommunication，theworthySarcuswaspresentinghisson-in-law，SibilettotheComtedeMontcornet。TheyhadcomewithAdelineandthe，childreninawickercarryall，lentbySarcus’sclerk，aMonsieur，Gourdon，brotheroftheSoulangesdoctor，whowasricherthanthe，magistratehimself。Thegeneral，pleasedwiththecandoranddignity，ofthejusticeofthepeace，andwiththegracefulbearingofAdeline，(bothgivingpledgesingoodfaith，fortheyweretotallyignorantof，theplansofGaubertin)，atoncegrantedallrequestsandgavesuch，advantagestothefamilyofthenewland-stewardastomakethe，positionequaltothatofasub-prefectofthefirstclass。
Alodge，builtbyBouretasanobjectinthelandscapeandalsoasa，homeforthesteward，anelegantlittlebuilding，thearchitectureof，whichwassufficientlyshowninthedescriptionofthegateofBlangy，waspromisedtotheSibiletsfortheirresidence。Thegeneralalso，concededthehorsewhichMademoiselleLaguerrehadprovidedfor，Gaubertin，inconsiderationofthesizeoftheestateandthedistance，hehadtogotothemarketswherethebusinessofthepropertywas，transacted。Heallowedtwohundredbushelsofwheat，threehogsheads，ofwine，woodinsufficientquantity，oatsandbarleyinabundance，andthreepercentonallreceiptsofincome。Wherethelatterin，MademoiselleLaguerre’stimehadamountedtofortythousandfrancs，thegeneralnow，in1818，inviewofthepurchasesoflandwhich，Gaubertinhadmadeforher，expectedtoreceiveatleastsixty，thousand。Thenewland-stewardmightthereforereceivebeforelong，sometwothousandfrancsinmoney。Lodged，fed，warmed，relievedof，taxes，thecostsofahorseandapoultry-yarddefrayedforhim，and，allowedtoplantakitchen-garden，withnoquestionsaskedastothe，day’sworkofthegardener，certainlysuchadvantagesrepresentedmuch，morethananothertwothousandfrancs;foramanwhowasearninga，miserablesalaryoftwelvehundredfrancsinagovernmentofficeto，stepintothestewardshipofLesAigueswasachangefrompovertyto，opulence。
“Befaithfultomyinterests，“saidthegeneral，“andIshallhave，moretosaytoyou。DoubtlessIcouldgetthecollectionoftherents，ofConches，Blangy，andCerneuxtakenawayfromthecollectionof，thoseofSoulangesandgiventoyou。Inshort，whenyoubringmeina，clearsixtythousandayearfromLesAiguesyoushallbestillfurther，rewarded。”
Unfortunately，theworthyjusticeandhisdaughter，intheflushof，theirjoy，toldMadameSoudrythepromisethegeneralhadmadeabout，thesecollections，withoutreflectingthatthepresentcollectorof，Soulanges，amannamedGuerbet，brotherofthepostmasterofConches，wascloselyallied，asweshallseelater，withGaubertinandthe，Gendrins。
“Itwon’tbesoeasytodoit，mydear，“saidMadameSoudry;“but，don’tpreventthegeneralfrommakingtheattempt;itiswonderfulhow，easilydifficultthingsaredoneinParis。IhaveseentheChevalier，GluckatdearMadame’sfeettogethertosinghismusic，andshedid，——shewhosoadoredPiccini，oneofthefinestmenofhisday;never，didHEcomeintoMadame’sroomwithoutcatchingmeroundthewaistand，callingmeadearrogue。”
“Ha！”criedSoudry，whenhiswifereportedthisnews，“doeshethink，heisgoingtoleadthenotarybythenose，andupseteverythingto，pleasehimselfandmakethewholevalleymarchinline，ashedidhis，cuirassiers？Thesemilitaryfellowshaveahabitofcommand！——but，let’shavepatience;MonsieurdeSoulangesandMonsieurde，Ronquerolleswillbeonourside。PoorGuerbet！helittlesuspectswho，istryingtopluckthebestrosesoutofhisgarland！”
PereGuerbet，thecollectorofSoulanges，wasthewit，thatistosay，thejovialcompanionofthelittletown，andaheroinMadameSoudry’s，salon。Soudry’sspeechgivesafairideaoftheopinionwhichnowgrew，upagainstthemasterofLesAiguesfromConchestoVille-aux-Fayes，andwhereverelsethepublicmindcouldbereachedandpoisonedby，Gaubertin。
TheinstallationofSibilettookplaceintheautumnof1817。Theyear，1818wentbywithoutthegeneralbeingabletosetfootatLesAigues，forhisapproachingmarriagewithMademoiselledeTroisville，which，wascelebratedinJanuary，1819，kepthimthegreaterpartofthe，summernearAlencon，inthecountry-houseofhisprospectivefather-
in-law。GeneralMontcornetpossessed，besidesLesAiguesanda，magnificenthouseinParis，somesixtythousandfrancsayearinthe，Fundsandthesalaryofaretiredlieutenant-general。ThoughNapoleon，hadmadehimacountoftheEmpireandgivenhimthefollowingarms，a，fieldquarterly，thefirst，azure，bordureor，threepyramidsargent;
thesecond，vert，threehuntinghornsargent;thethird，gules，a，cannonoronagun-carriagesable，and，inchief，acrescentor;the，fourth，or，acrownvert，withthemotto(eminentlyofthemiddle，ages！)，“Soundthecharge，“——Montcornetknewverywellthathewasthe，sonofacabinet-makerinthefaubourgSaint-Antoine，thoughhewas，quitereadytoforgetit。Hewaseatenupwiththedesiretobeapeer，ofFrance，anddreamedofhisgrandcordonoftheLegionofhonor，his，Saint-Louiscross，andhisincomeofonehundredandfortythousand，francs。Bittenbythedemonofaristocracy，thesightoftheblue，ribbonputhimbesidehimself。ThegallantcuirassierofEsslingwould，havelickedupthemudonthePont-Royaltobeinvitedtothehouseof，aNavarreins，aLenoncourt，aGrandlieu，aMaufrigneuse，ad’Espard，a，Vandenesse，aVerneuil，aHerouville，oraChaulieu。
From1818，whentheimpossibilityofachangeinfavorofthe，Bonapartefamilywasmadecleartohim，Montcornethadhimself，trumpetedinthefaubourgSaint-Germainbythewivesofsomeofhis，friends，whoofferedhishandandheart，hismansionandhisfortune，inreturnforanalliancewithsomegreatfamily。
Afterseveralattempts，theDuchessedeCariglianofoundamatchfor，thegeneralinoneofthethreebranchesoftheTroisvillefamily，——
thatoftheviscountintheserviceofRussiaeversince1789，whohad，returnedtoFrancein1815。Theviscount，poorasayoungerson，had，marriedaPrincessScherbellof，worthaboutamillion，butthearrival，oftwosonsandthreedaughterskepthimpoor。Hisfamily，ancientand，formerlypowerful，nowconsistedoftheMarquisdeTroisville，peerof，France，headofthehouseandscutcheon，andtwodeputies，with，numerousoffspring，whowerebusy，fortheirpart，withthebudgetand，theministriesandthecourt，likefishesroundbitsofbread。
Therefore，whenMontcornetwaspresentedbyMadamedeCarigliano，——the，Napoleonicduchess，whowasnowamostdevotedadherentofthe，Bourbons，hewasfavorablyreceived。Thegeneralasked，inreturnfor，hisfortuneandtenderindulgencetohiswife，tobeappointedtothe，RoyalGuard，withtherankofmarquisandpeerofFrance;butthe，branchesoftheTroisvillefamilywoulddonomorethanpromisehim，theirsupport。
“Youknowwhatthatmeans，“saidtheduchesstoheroldfriend，who，complainedofthevaguenessofthepromise。“Theycannotobligethe，kingtodoastheywish;theycanonlyinfluencehim。”
MontcornetmadeVirginiedeTroisvillehisheirinthemarriage，settlements。Completelyunderthecontrolofhiswife，asBlondet’s，letterhasalreadyshown，hewasstillwithoutchildren，butLouis，XVIII。hadreceivedhim，andgivenhimthecordonofSaint-Louis，allowinghimtoquarterhisridiculousarmswiththoseofthe，Troisvilles，andpromisinghimthetitleofmarquisassoonashehad，deservedthepeeragebyhisservices。
Afewdaysaftertheaudienceatwhichthispromisehadbeengiven，theDucdeBarrywasassassinated;theMarsancliquecarriedtheday;
theVilleleministrycameintopower，andallthewireslaidbythe，Troisvillesweresnapped;itbecamenecessarytofindnewwaysof，fasteningthemupontheministry。
“Wemustbideourtime，“saidtheTroisvillestoMontcornet，whowas，alwaysoverwhelmedwithpolitenessinthefaubourgSaint-Germain。
ThiswillexplainhowitwasthatthegeneraldidnotreturntoLes，AiguesuntilMay，1820。
Theineffablehappinessofthesonofashop-keeperofthefaubourg，Saint-Antoineinpossessingayoung，elegant，intelligent，andgentle，wife，aTroisville，whohadgivenhimanentranceintoallthesalons，ofthefaubourgSaint-Germain，andthedelightofmakingherenjoythe，pleasuresofParis，hadkepthimfromLesAiguesandmadehimforget，aboutGaubertin，eventohisveryname。In1820hetookthecountess，toBurgundytoshowhertheestate，andheacceptedSibilet’saccounts，andleaseswithoutlookingcloselyintothem;happinessnevercavils。
Thecountess，wellpleasedtofindthesteward’swifeacharmingyoung，woman，madepresentstoherandtothechildren，withwhomshe，occasionallyamusedherself。SheorderedafewchangesatLesAigues，havingsenttoParisforanarchitect;proposing，tothegeneral’s，greatdelight，tospendsixmonthsofeveryyearonthismagnificent，estate。Montcornet’ssavingsweresoonspentonthearchitecturalwork，andtheexquisitenewfurnituresentfromParis。LesAiguesthus，receivedthelasttouchwhichmadeitachoiceexampleofallthe，diverseeleganciesoffourcenturies。
In1821thegeneralwasalmostperemptorilyurgedbySibilettobeat，LesAiguesbeforethemonthofMay。Importantmattershadtobe，decided。Aleaseofnineyears，totheamountofthirtythousand，francs，grantedbyGaubertinin1812toawood-merchant，fellinon，the15thofMayofthecurrentyear。Sibilet，anxioustoprovehis，rectitude，wasunwillingtoberesponsiblefortherenewalofthe，lease。“Youknow，Monsieurlecomte，“hewrote，“thatIdonotchoose，toprofitbysuchmatters。”Thewood-merchantclaimedanindemnity，extortedfromMadameLaguerre，throughherhatredoflitigation，and，sharedbyhimwithGaubertin。Thisindemnitywasbasedontheinjury，donetothewoodsbythepeasants，whotreatedtheforestofLes，Aiguesasiftheyhadarighttocutthetimber。Messrs。Gravelot，Brothers，wood-merchantsinParis，refusedtopaytheirlastquarter，dues，offeringtoprovebyanexpertthatthewoodswerereducedone-
fifthinvalue，through，theysaid，theinjuriousprecedent，establishedbyMadameLaguerre。
“Ihavealready，“wroteSibilet，“suedthesemeninthecourtsat，Ville-aux-Fayes，fortheyhavetakenlegalresidencethere，onaccount，ofthislease，withmyoldemployer，MaitreCorbinet。Ifearweshall，losethesuit。”
“Itisaquestionofincome，mydear，“saidthegeneral，showingthe，lettertohiswife。“WillyougodowntoLesAiguesalittleearlier，thisyearthanlast？”
“Goyourself，andIwillfollowyouwhentheweatheriswarmer，“said，thecountess，notsorrytoremaininParisalone。
Thegeneral，whoknewverywellthecankerthatwaseatingintohis，revenues，departedwithouthiswife，resolvedtotakevigorous，measures。Insodoinghereckoned，asweshallsee，withouthis，Gaubertin。
CHAPTERVIII
THEGREATREVOLUTIONSOFALITTLEVALLEY
“Well，MaitreSibilet，“saidthegeneraltohissteward，themorning，afterhisarrival，givinghimafamiliartitlewhichshowedhowmuch，heappreciatedhisservices，“soweare，touseaministerialphrase，atacrisis？”
“Yes，Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet，followingthegeneral。
ThefortunatepossessorofLesAigueswaswalkingupanddowninfront，ofthesteward’shouse，alongalittleterracewhereMadameSibilet，grewflowers，attheendofwhichwasawidestretchofmeadow-land，wateredbythecanalwhichBlondethasdescribed。Fromthispointthe，chateauofLesAigueswasseeninthedistance，andinlikemannerthe，profile，asitwere，ofthesteward’slodgewasseenfromLesAigues。
“But，“resumedthegeneral，“what’sthedifficulty？IfIdolosethe，suitagainsttheGravelots，amoneywoundisnotmortal，andI’llhave，theleasingofmyforestsowelladvertisedthattherewillbe，competition，andIshallsellthetimberatitstruevalue。”
“Businessisnotdoneinthatway，Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet。
“Supposeyougetnolessees，whatwillyoudo？”
“Cutthetimbermyselfandsellit——“
“You，awoodmerchant？”saidSibilet。“Well，withoutlookingat，mattershere，howwoulditbeinParis？Youwouldhavetohireawood-
yard，payforalicenseandthetaxes，alsofortherightof，navigation，andduties，andthecostsofunloading;besidesthesalary，ofatrustworthyagent——“
“Yes，itisimpracticable，“saidthegeneralhastily，alarmedatthe，prospect。“Butwhycan’tIfindpersonstoleasetherightofcutting，timberasbefore？”
“Monsieurlecomtehasenemies。”
“Whoarethey？”
“Well，inthefirstplace，MonsieurGaubertin。”
“Doyoumeanthescoundrelwhoseplaceyoutook？”
“Notsoloud，Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet，showingfear;“Ibeg，ofyou，notsoloud，——mycookmighthearus。”
“DoyoumeantotellmethatIamnottospeakonmyownestateofa，villainwhorobbedme？”criedthegeneral。
“Forthesakeofyourownpeaceandcomfort，comefurtheraway，Monsieurlecomte。MonsieurGaubertinismayorofVille-aux-Fayes。”
“Ha！IcongratulateVille-aux-Fayes。Thunder！whatanoblygoverned，town！——“
“Domethehonortolisten，Monsieurlecomte，andtobelievethatI
amtalkingofseriousmatterswhichmayaffectyourfuturelifein，thisplace。”
“Iamlistening;letussitdownonthisbenchhere。”
“Monsieurlecomte，whenyoudismissedGaubertin，hehadtofindsome，employment，forhewasnotrich——“
“Notrich！whenhestoletwentythousandfrancsayearfromthis，estate？”
“Monsieurlecomte，Idon’tpretendtoexcusehim，“repliedSibilet。
“IwanttoseeLesAiguesprosperous，ifitwereonlytoprove，Gaubertin’sdishonest;butweoughtnottoabusehimopenlyforheis，oneofthemostdangerousscoundrelstobefoundinallBurgundy，and，heisnowinapositiontoinjureyou。”
“Inwhatway？”askedthegeneral，soberingdown。
“Gaubertinhascontrolofnearlyonethirdofthesuppliessentto，Paris。Asgeneralagentofthetimberbusiness，heordersallthework，oftheforests，——thefelling，chopping，floating，andsendingto，market。Beingincloserelationswiththeworkmen，heisthearbiter，ofprices。Ithastakenhimthreeyearstocreatethisposition，but，heholdsitnowlikeafortress。Heisessentialtoalldealers，never，favoringonemorethananother;heregulatesthewholebusinessin，theirinterests，andtheiraffairsarebetterandmorecheaplylooked，afterbyhimthantheywereintheoldtimebyseparateagentsfor，eachfirm。Forinstance，hehassocompletelyputastopto，competitionthathehasabsolutecontroloftheauctionsales;the，crownandtheStatearebothdependentonhim。Theirtimberissold，underthehammerandfallsinvariablytoGaubertin’sdealers;infact，noothersattemptnowtobidagainstthem。LastyearMonsieur，Mariotte，ofAuxerre，urgedbythecommissionerofdomains，did，attempttocompetewithGaubertin。Atfirst，Gaubertinlethimbuythe，standingwoodattheusualprices;butwhenitcametocuttingit，the，AvonnaisworkmenaskedsuchenormouspricesthatMonsieurMariottewas，obligedtobringlaborersfromAuxerre，whomtheVille-aux-Fayes，workmenattackedanddroveaway。Theheadofthecoalition，andthe，ringleaderofthebrawlwerebroughtbeforethepolicecourt，andthe，suitscostMonsieurMariotteagreatdealofmoney;for，besidesthe，odiumofhavingconvictedandpunishedpoormen，hewasforcedtopay，allcosts，becausethelosingsidehadnotafarthingtodoitwith。A
suitagainstlaboringmenissuretoresultinhatredtothosewho，liveamongthem。Letmewarnyouofthis;forifyoufollowthecourse，youpropose，youwillhavetofightagainstthepoorofthisdistrict，atleast。Butthat’snotall。Countingitover，MonsieurMariotte，a，worthyman，foundhewastheloserbyhisoriginallease。Forcedto，payreadymoney，hewasneverthelessobligedtosellontime;
Gaubertindeliveredhistimberatlongcreditsforthepurposeof，ruininghiscompetitor。Heundersoldhimbyatleastfivepercent，andtheendofitisthatpoorMariotte’screditisbadlyshaken。
Gaubertinisnowpressingandharassingthepoormansothatheis，driven，theytellme，toleavenotonlyAuxerre，butevenBurgundy，itself;andheisright。Inthiswayland-ownershavelongbeen，sacrificedtodealerswhonowsetthemarket-prices，justasthe，furniture-dealersinParisdictatevaluestoappraisers。ButGaubertin，savestheownerssomuchtroubleandworrythattheyarereally，gainers。”
“Howso？”askedthegeneral。
“Inthefirstplace，becausethelesscomplicatedabusinessis，the，greatertheprofitstotheowners，“answeredSibilet。“Besideswhich，theirincomeismoresecure;andinallmattersofruralimprovement，anddevelopmentthatisthemainthing，asyouwillfindout。Then，too，MonsieurGaubertinisthefriendandpatronofworking-men;he，paysthemwellandkeepsthemalwaysatwork;therefore，thoughtheir，familiesliveontheestates，thewoodsleasedtodealersand，belongingtotheland-ownerswhotrustthecareoftheirpropertyto，Gaubertin(suchasMM。deSoulangesanddeRonquerolles)arenot，devastated。Thedeadwoodisgatheredup，butthatisall——“
“ThatrascalGaubertinhaslostnotime！”criedthegeneral。
“Heisaboldman，“saidSibilet。“Hereallyis，ashecallshimself，thestewardofthebesthalfofthedepartment，insteadofbeing，merelythestewardofLesAigues。Hemakesalittleoutofeverybody，andthatlittleoneverytwomillionsbringshiminfortytofifty，thousandfrancsayear。Hesayshimself，’ThefiresontheParisian，hearthspayitall。’Heisyourenemy，Monsieurlecomte。Myadviceto，youistocapitulateandbereconciledwithhim。Heisintimate，as，youknow，withSoudry，theheadofthegendarmerieatSoulanges;with，MonsieurRigou，ourmayoratBlangy;thepatrolsareunderhis，influence;thereforeyouwillfinditimpossibletorepressthe，pilferingswhichareeatingintoyourestate。Duringthelasttwo，yearsyourwoodshavebeendevastated。ConsequentlytheGravelotsare，morethanlikelytowintheirsuit。Theysay，verytruly：’According，tothetermsofthelease，thecareofthewoodsislefttotheowner;
hedoesnotprotectthem，andweareinjured;theownerisboundto，payusdamages。’That’sfairenough;butitdoesn’tfollowthatthey，shouldwintheircase。”
“Wemustbereadytodefendthissuitatallcosts，“saidthegeneral，“andthenweshallhavenomoreofthem。”
“YoushallgratifyGaubertin，“remarkedSibilet。
“Howso？”
“SuingtheGravelotsisthesameasahandtohandfightwith，Gaubertin，whoistheiragent，“answeredSibilet。“Heasksnothing，betterthansuchasuit。Hedeclares，soIhear，thathewillbring，youifnecessarybeforetheCourtofAppeals。”
“Therascal！the——“
“Ifyouattempttoworkyourownwoods，“continuedSibilet，turning，theknifeinthewound，“youwillfindyourselfatthemercyof，workmenwhowillforceyoutopayrichmen’spricesinsteadofmarket-
prices。Inshort，they’llputyou，astheydidthatpoorMariotte，in，apositionwhereyoumustsellataloss。Ifyouthentrytoleasethe，woodsyouwillgetnotenants，foryoucannotexpectthatanyone，shouldtakerisksforhimselfwhichMariotteonlytookforthecrown，andtheState。Supposeamantalksofhislossestothegovernment！
Thegovernmentisagentlemanwhois，likeyourobedientservantwhen，hewasinitsemploy，aworthymanwithafrayedovercoat，whoreads，thenewspapersatadesk。Lethissalarybetwelvehundredortwelve，thousandfrancs，hisdispositionisthesame，itisnotawhitsofter。
Talkofreductionsandreleasesfromthepublictreasuryrepresented，bythesaidgentleman！He’llonlypooh-poohyouashemendshispen。
No，thelawisthewrongroadforyou，Monsieurlecomte。”
“Thenwhat’stobedone？”criedthegeneral，hisbloodboilingashe，trampedupanddownbeforethebench。
“Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet，abruptly，“whatIsaytoyouisnot，formyowninterests，certainly;butIadviseyoutosellLesAigues，andleavetheneighborhood。”
Onhearingthesewordsthegeneralsprangbackasifacannon-ballhad，struckhim;thenhelookedatSibiletwithashrewd，diplomaticeye。
“AgeneraloftheImperialGuardrunningawayfromtherascals，when，MadamelacomtesselikesLesAigues！”hesaid。“No，I’llsoonerbox，Gaubertin’searsonthemarket-placeofVille-aux-Fayes，andforcehim，tofightmethatImayshoothimlikeadog。”
“Monsieurlecomte，Gaubertinisnotsuchafoolastolethimselfbe，broughtintocollisionwithyou。Besides，youcouldnotopenlyinsult，themayorofsoimportantaplaceasVille-aux-Fayes。”
“I’llhavehimturnedout;theTroisvillescandothatforme;itisa，questionofincome。”
“Youwon’tsucceed，Monsieurlecomte;Gaubertin’sarmsarelong;you，willgetyourselfintodifficultiesfromwhichyoucannotescape。”
“Letusthinkofthepresent，“interruptedthegeneral。“Aboutthat，suit？”
“That，Monsieurlecomte，Icanmanagetowinforyou，“replied，Sibilet，withaknowingglance。
“Bravo，Sibilet！”saidthegeneral，shakinghissteward’shand;“how，areyougoingtodoit？”
“Youwillwinitonawritoferror，“repliedSibilet。“Inmyopinion，theGravelotshavetherightofit。Butitisnotenoughtobeinthe，right，theymustalsobeinorderastolegalforms，andthatthey，haveneglected。TheGravelotsoughttohavesummonedyoutohavethe，woodsbetterwatched。Theycan’taskforindemnity，atthecloseofa，lease，fordamageswhichtheyknowhavebeengoingonfornineyears;
thereisaclauseintheleaseastothis，onwhichwecanfileabill，ofexceptions。YouwilllosethesuitatVille-aux-Fayes，possiblyin，theuppercourtaswell，butwewillcarryittoParisandyouwill，winattheCourtofAppeals。Thecostswillbeheavyandtheexpenses，ruinous。Youwillhavetospendfromtwelvetofifteenthousandfrancs，merelytowinthesuit，——butyouwillwinit，ifyoucareto。Thesuit，willonlyincreasetheenmityoftheGravelots，fortheexpenseswill，beevenheavieronthem。Youwillbetheirbugbear;youwillbecalled，litigiousandcalumniatedineveryway;still，youcanwin——“
“Then，what’stobedone？”repeatedthegeneral，onwhomSibilet’s，argumentswerebeginningtoproducetheeffectofaviolentpoison。
JustthentheremembranceoftheblowshehadgivenGaubertinwithhis，canecrossedhismind，andmadehimwishhehadbestowedthemon，himself。HisflushedfacewasenoughtoshowSibilettheirritation，thathefelt。
“Youaskmewhatcanbedone，Monsieurlecomte？Why，onlyonething，compromise;butofcourseyoucan’tnegotiatethatyourself。Imustbe，thoughttocheatyou！We，poordevils，whoseonlyfortuneandcomfort，isinourgoodname，itishardonustoevenseemtodoa，questionablething。Wearealwaysjudgedbyappearances。Gaubertin，himselfsavedMademoiselleLaguerre’slifeduringtheRevolution，but，itseemedtoothersthathewasrobbingher。Sherewardedhiminher，willwithadiamondworthtenthousandfrancs，whichMadameGaubertin，nowwearsonherhead。”
ThegeneralgaveSibiletanotherglancestillmorediplomaticthanthe，first;butthestewardseemedtotakenonoticeofthechallengeit，expressed。
“IfIweretoappeardishonest，MonsieurGaubertinwouldbeso，overjoyedthatIcouldinstantlyobtainhishelp，“continuedSibilet。
“HewouldlistenwithallhisearsifIsaidtohim：’SupposeIwere，toextorttwentythousandfrancsfromMonsieurlecomteforMessrs。
Gravelot，onconditionthattheysharedthemwithme？’Ifyour，adversariesconsentedtothat，Monsieurlecomte，Ishouldreturnyou，tenthousandfrancs;youloseonlytheotherten，yousave，appearances，andthesuitisquashed。”
“Youareafinefellow，Sibilet，“saidthegeneral，takinghishand，andshakingit。“Ifyoucanmanagethefutureaswellasyoudothe，present，I’llcallyoutheprinceofstewards。”
“Astothefuture，“saidSibilet，“youwon’tdieofhungerifno，timberiscutfortwoorthreeyears。Letusbeginbyputtingproper，keepersinthewoods。Betweennowandthenthingswillflowasthe，waterdoesintheAvonne。Gaubertinmaydie，orgetrichenoughto，retirefrombusiness;atanyrate，youwillhavesufficienttimeto，findhimacompetitor。Thecakeistoorichnottobeshared。Lookfor，anotherGaubertintoopposetheoriginal。”
“Sibilet，“saidtheoldsoldier，delightedwiththisvarietyof，solutions。“I’llgiveyouthreethousandfrancsifyou’llsettlethe，matterasyoupropose。Fortherest，we’llthinkaboutit。”
“Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet，“firstandforemosthavetheforest，properlywatched。Seeforyourselftheconditioninwhichthe，peasantryhaveputitduringyourtwoyears’absence。WhatcouldIdo？
Iamsteward;Iamnotabailiff。ToguardLesAiguesproperlyyou，needamountedpatrolandthreekeepers。”
“Icertainlyshallhavetheestateproperlyguarded。Soitistobe，war，isit？Verygood，thenweshallmakewar。Thatdoesn’tfrighten，me，“saidMontcornet，rubbinghishands。
“Awaroffrancs，“saidSibilet;“andyoumayfindthatmoredifficult，thantheotherkind;mencanbekilledbutyoucan’tkillself-
interest。Youwillfightyourenemyonthebattle-fieldwhereall，landlordsarecompelledtofight，——Imeancashresults。Itisnot，enoughtoproduce，youmustsell;andinordertosell，youmustbeon，goodtermswitheverybody。”
“Ishallhavethecountrypeopleonmyside。”
“Bywhatmeans？”
“Bydoinggoodamongthem。”
“Doinggoodtothevalleypeasants！tothepettyshopkeepersof，Soulanges！”exclaimedSibilet，squintinghorribly，byreasonofthe，ironywhichflamedbrighterinoneeyethanintheother。“Monsieurle，comtedoesn’tknowwhatheundertakes。OurLordJesusChristwoulddie，againuponthecrossinthisvalley！Ifyouwishaneasylife，follow，theexampleofthelateMademoiselleLaguerre;letyourselfberobbed，orelsemakepeopleafraidofyou。Women，children，andthemassesare，allgovernedbyfear。ThatwasthegreatsecretoftheConvention，and，oftheEmperor，too。”
“Goodheavens！isthistheforestofBondy？”criedthegeneral。
“Mydear，“saidSibilet’swife，appearingatthismoment，“your，breakfastisready。Prayexcusehim，Monsieurlecomte;hehaseaten，nothingsincemorningforhewasobligedtogotoRonquerollesto，deliversomebarley。”
“Go，go，Sibilet，“saidthegeneral。
Thenextmorningthecountroseearly，beforedaylight，andwentto，thegateoftheAvonne，intendingtotalkwiththeoneforesterwhom，heemployedandfindoutwhattheman’ssentimentsreallywere。
SomesevenoreighthundredacresoftheforestofLesAigueslie，alongthebanksoftheAvonne;andtopreservethemajesticbeautyof，theriverthelargetreesthatborderithavebeenleftuntouchedfor，adistanceofthreeleaguesonbothsidesinanalmoststraightline。
ThemistressofHenriIV。towhomLesAiguesformerlybelonged，was，asfondofhuntingasthekinghimself。In1593sheorderedabridge，tobebuiltofasinglearchwithshelvingroadwaybywhichtoride，fromthelowersideoftheforesttoamuchlargerportionofit，purchasedbyher，whichlayupontheslopesofthehills。Thegateof，theAvonnewasbuiltasaplaceofmeetingforthehuntsmen;andwe，knowthemagnificencebestowedbythearchitectsofthatdayuponall，buildingsintendedforthedelightofthecrownandthenobility。Six，avenuesbranchedawayfromit，theirplaceofmeetingformingahalf-
moon。Inthecentreofthesemi-circularspacestoodanobelisk，surmountedbyaroundshield，formerlygilded，bearingononesidethe，armsofNavarreandontheotherthoseoftheCountessdeMoret。
Anotherhalf-moon，onthesidetowardtheriver，communicatedwiththe，firstbyastraightavenue，attheoppositeendofwhichthesteep，riseoftheVenetian-shapedbridgecouldbeseen。Betweentwoelegant，ironrailingsofthesamecharacterasthatofthemagnificentrailing，whichformerlysurroundedthegardenofthePlaceRoyaleinParis，now，sounfortunatelydestroyed，stoodabrickpavilion，withstonecourses，hewninfacetslikethoseofthechateau，withaverypointedroofand，window-casingsofstonecutinthesamemanner。Thisoldstyle，which，gavethebuildingaregalair，issuitableonlytoprisonswhenused，incities;butstandingintheheartofforestsitderivesfromits，surroundingsasplendorofitsown。Agroupoftreesformedascreen，behindwhichthekennels，anoldfalconry，apheasantry，andthe，quartersofthehuntsmenwerefallingintoruins，afterbeingintheir，daythewonderandadmirationofBurgundy。
In1595，theroyalhunting-partiessetforthfromthismagnificent，pavilion，precededbythosefinedogssodeartoRubensandtoPaul，Veronese;thehuntsmenmountedonhigh-steepingsteedswithstoutand，blue-whitesatinyhaunches，seennolongerexceptinWouverman’s，amazingwork，followedbyfootmeninlivery;thesceneenlivenedby，whippers-in，wearingthehightop-bootswithfacingsandtheyellow，leathernbreecheswhichhavecomedowntothepresentdayonthe，canvasofVanderMeulen。Theobeliskwaserectedincommemorationof，thevisitoftheBearnais，andhishuntwiththebeautifulComtessede，Moret;thedateisgivenbelowthearmsofNavarre。Thatjealous，woman，whosesonwasafterwardslegitimatized，wouldnotallowthe，armsofFrancetofigureontheobelisk，regardingthemasarebuke。
Atthetimeofwhichwewrite，whenthegeneral’seyesrestedonthis，splendidruin，mosshadgatheredforcenturiesonthefourfacesof，theroof;thehewn-stonecourses，mangledbytime，seemedtocrywith，yawningmouthsagainsttheprofanation;disjointedleadensettingslet，falltheiroctagonalpanes，sothatthewindowsseemedblindofaneye，hereandthere。Yellowwallflowersbloomedaboutthecopings;ivyslid，itswhiterootletsintoeverycrevice。
Allthingsbespokeashamefulwantofcare，——thesealsetbymere，life-possessorsontheancientgloriesthattheypossess。Twowindows，onthefirstfloorwerestuffedwithhay。Throughanother，onthe，ground-floor，wasseenaroomfilledwithtoolsandlogsofwood;
whileacowpushedhermuzzlethroughafourth，provingthat，Courtecuisse，toavoidhavingtowalkfromthepaviliontothe，pheasantry，hadturnedthelargehallofthecentralbuildingintoa，stable，——ahallwithpanelledceiling，andinthecentreofeachpanel，thearmsofallthevariouspossessorsofLesAigues！
Blackanddirtypalingsdisgracedtheapproachtothepavilion，making，squareinclosureswithplankroofsforpigs，ducks，andhens，the，manureofwhichwastakenawayeverysixmonths。Afewraggedgarments，werehungtodryonthebrambleswhichboldlygrewuncheckedhereand，there。Asthegeneralcamealongtheavenuefromthebridge，Madame，Courtecuissewasscouringasaucepaninwhichshehadjustmadeher，coffee。Theforester，sittingonachairinthesun，consideredhis，wifeasasavageconsidershis。Whenheheardahorse’shoofshe，turnedround，sawthecount，andseemedtakenaback。
“Well，Courtecuisse，myman，“saidthegeneral，“I’mnotsurprised，thatthepeasantscutmywoodsbeforeMessrs。Gravelotcandoso。So，youconsideryourplaceasinecure？”
“Indeed，Monsieurlecomte，Ihavewatchedthewoodssomanynights，thatI’millfromit。I’vegotachill，andIsuffersuchpainthis，morningthatmywifehasjustmademeapoulticeinthatsaucepan。”
“Mygoodfellow，“saidthecount，“Idon’tknowofanypainthata，coffeepoulticecuresexceptthatofhunger。Listentome，yourascal！
Irodethroughmyforestyesterday，andthenthroughthoseofMonsieur，deSoulangesandMonsieurdeRonquerolles。Theirsarecarefully，watchedandpreserved，whilemineisinashamefulstate。”
“Ah，monsieur！buttheyaretheoldlordsoftheneighborhood;
everybodyrespectstheirproperty。Howcanyouexpectmetofight，againstsixdistricts？Icareformylifemorethanforyourwoods。A
manwhowouldundertaketowatchyourwoodsastheyoughttobe，watchedwouldgetaballinhisheadforwagesinsomedarkcornerof，theforest——“
“Coward！”criedthegeneral，tryingtocontroltheangertheman’s，insolentreplyprovokedinhim。“Lastnightwasasclearasday，yet，itcostmethreehundredfrancsinactualrobberyandoverathousand，infuturedamages。Youwillleavemyserviceunlessyoudobetter。All，wrong-doingdeservessomemercy;thereforethesearemyconditions：
Youmayhavethefines，andIwillpayyouthreefrancsforevery，indictmentyoubringagainstthesedepredators。IfIdon’tgetwhatI
expect，youknowwhatyouhavetoexpect，andnopensioneither。
Whereas，ifyouservemefaithfullyandcontrivetostopthese，depredations，I’llgiveyouanannuityofthreehundredfrancsfor，life。Youcanthinkitover。Herearesixways，“continuedthecount，pointingtothebranchingroads;“there’sonlyoneforyoutotake，——
asformealso，whoamnotafraidofballs;tryandfindtheright，one。”
Courtecuisse，asmallmanaboutforty-sixyearsofage，withafull-
moonface，foundhisgreatesthappinessindoingnothing。Heexpected，toliveanddieinthatpavilion，nowconsideredbyhimHISpavilion。
Histwocowswerepasturedintheforest，fromwhichhegothiswood;
andhespenthistimeinlookingafterhisgardeninsteadofafterthe，delinquents。SuchneglectofdutysuitedGaubertin，andCourtecuisse，knewitdid。Thekeeperchasedonlythosedepredatorswhowerethe，objectsofhispersonaldislike，——youngwomenwhowouldnotyieldto，hiswishes，orpersonsagainstwhomheheldagrudge;thoughforsome，timepasthehadreallyfeltnodislikes，foreveryoneyieldedtohim，onaccountofhiseasy-goingwayswiththem。
Courtecuissehadaplacealwayskeptforhimatthetableofthe，Grand-I-Vert;thewood-pickersfearedhimnolonger;indeed，hiswife，andhereceivedmanygiftsinkindfromthem;hiswoodwasbroughtin;
hisvineyarddug;inshort，alldelinquentsatwhomheblinkeddidhim，service。
CountingonGaubertinforthefuture，andfeelingsureoftwoacres，wheneverLesAiguesshouldbebroughttothehammer，hewasroughly，awakenedbythecurtspeechofthegeneral，who，afterfourquiescent，years，wasnowrevealinghistruecharacter，——thatofabourgeoisrich，manwhowasdeterminedtobenolongerdeceived。Courtecuissetookhis，cap，hisgame-bag，andhisgun，putonhisgaitersandhisbelt(which，boretheveryrecentarmsofMontcornet)，andstartedforVille-aux-
Fayes，withthecareless，indifferentairandmannerunderwhich，country-peopleoftenconcealverydeepreflections，whilehegazedat，thewoodsandwhistledtothedogstofollowhim。
“What！youcomplainoftheShopmanwhenheproposestomakeyour，fortune？”saidGaubertin。“Doesn’tthefooloffertogiveyouthree，francsforeveryarrestyoumake，andthefinestoboot？Havean，understandingwithyourfriendsandyoucanbringasmanyindictments，asyouplease，——hundredsifyoulike！Withonethousandfrancsyoucan，buyLaBacheleriefromRigou，becomeapropertyowner，liveinyour，ownhouse，andworkforyourself，orrather，makeothersworkforyou，andtakeyourease。Only——nowlistentome——youmustmanagetoarrest，onlysuchashaven’tapennyintheworld。Youcan’tshearsheep，unlessthewoolisontheirbacks。TaketheShopman’sofferandleave，himtocollectthecosts，——ifhewantsthem;tastesdiffer。Didn’told，Mariottepreferlossestoprofits，inspiteofmyadvice？”
Courtecuisse，filledwithadmirationforthesewordsofwisdom，returnedhomeburningwiththedesiretobealand-owneranda，bourgeoisliketherest。
WhenthegeneralreachedLesAiguesherelatedhisexpeditionto，Sibilet。
“Monsieurlecomtedidveryright，“saidthesteward，rubbinghis，hands;“buthemustnotstopshorthalf-way。Thefield-keeperofthe，districtwhoallowsthecountry-peopletopreyuponthemeadowsand，robtheharvestsoughttobechanged。Monsieurlecomteshouldhave，himselfchosenmayor，andappointoneofhisoldsoldiers，whowould，havethecouragetocarryouthisorders，inplaceofVaudoyer。A
greatland-ownershouldbemasterinhisowndistrict。Justseewhat，difficultieswehavewiththepresentmayor！”
ThemayorofthedistrictofBlangy，formerlyaBenedictine，named，Rigou，hadmarried，inthefirstyearoftheRepublic，theservant-
womanofthelatepriestofBlangy。Inspiteoftherepugnancewhicha，marriedmonkexcitedatthePrefecture，hehadcontinuedtobemayor，after1815，forthereasonthattherewasno-oneelseatBlangywho，wascapableoffillingthepost。Butin1817，whenthebishopsentthe，AbbeBrossettetotheparishofBlangy(whichhadthenbeenvacant，overtwenty-fiveyears)，aviolentoppositionnotunnaturallybroke，outbetweentheoldapostateandtheyoungecclesiastic，whose，characterisalreadyknowntous。Thewarwhichwasthenandthere，declaredbetweenthemayor’sofficeandtheparsonageincreasedthe，popularityofthemagistrate，whohadhithertobeenmoreorless，despised。Rigou，whomthepeasantshaddislikedforusuriousdealings，nowsuddenlyrepresentedtheirpoliticalandfinancialinterests，supposedtobethreatenedbytheRestoration，andmoreespeciallyby，theclergy。
Acopyofthe“Constitutionnel，“thatgreatorganofliberalism，after，makingtheroundsoftheCafedelaPaix，camebacktoRigouonthe，seventhday，——thesubscription，standinginthenameofoldSocquard，thekeeperofthecoffee-house，beingsharedbytwentypersons。Rigou，passedthepaperontoLanglumethemiller，who，inturn，gaveitin，shredstoanyonewhoknewhowtoread。The“Parisitems，“andthe，anti-religionjokesoftheliberalsheetformedthepublicopinionof，thevalleydesAigues。Rigou，liketheVENERABLEAbbeGregoire，became，ahero。Forhim，asforcertainParisianbankers，politicsspreada，mantleofpopularityoverhisshamefuldishonesty。
Atthisparticulartimetheperjuredmonk，likeFrancoisKellerthe，greatorator，waslookeduponasadefenderoftherightsofthe，people，——hewho，notsoverylongbefore，darednotwalkinthefields，afterdark，lestheshouldstumbleintopitfallswherehewouldseem，tohavebeenkilledbyaccident！Persecuteamanpoliticallyandyou，notonlymagnifyhim，butyouredeemhispastandmakeitinnocent。
Theliberalpartywasagreatworkerofmiraclesinthisrespect。Its，dangerousjournal，whichhadthewittomakeitselfascommonplace，as，calumniating，ascredulous，andassillilyperfidiousasevery，audiencemadeupthegeneralmasses，didinallprobabilityasmuch，injurytoprivateinterestsasitdidtothoseoftheChurch。
RigouflatteredhimselfthatheshouldfindinaBonapartistgeneral，nowlaidontheshelf，inasonofthepeopleraisedfromnothingby，theRevolution，asoundenemytotheBourbonsandthepriests。Butthe，general，bearinginmindhisprivateambitions，soarrangedmattersas，toevadethevisitofMonsieurandMadameRigouwhenhefirstcameto，LesAigues。
Whenyouhavebecomebetteracquaintedwiththeterriblecharacterof，Rigou，thelynxofthevalley，youwillunderstandthefullextentof，thesecondcapitalblunderwhichthegeneral’saristocraticambitions，ledhimtocommit，andwhichthecountessmadeallthegreaterbyan，offencewhichwillbedescribedinthefurtherhistoryofRigou。
IfMontcornethadcourtedthemayor’sgood-will，ifhehadsoughthis，friendship，perhapstheinfluenceoftherenegademighthave，neutralizedthatofGaubertin。Farfromthat，threesuitswerenow，pendinginthecourtsofVille-aux-Fayesbetweenthegeneralandthe，ex-monk。Untilthepresenttimethegeneralhadbeensoabsorbedin，hispersonalinterestsandinhismarriagethathehadnever，rememberedRigou，butwhenSibiletadvisedhimtogethimselfmade，mayorinRigou’splace，hetookpost-horsesandwenttoseethe，prefect。
Theprefect，ComteMartialdelaRoche-Hugon，hadbeenafriendofthe，generalsince1804;anditwasawordfromhimsaidtoMontcornetina，conversationinParis，whichbroughtaboutthepurchaseofLesAigues。
ComteMartial，aprefectunderNapoleon，remainedaprefectunderthe，Bourbons，andcourtedthebishoptoretainhisplace。Nowithappened，thatMonseigneurhadseveraltimesrequestedhimtogetridofRigou。
Martial，towhomtheconditionofthedistrictwasperfectlywell，known，wasdelightedwiththegeneral’srequest;sothatinlessthan，amonththeComtedeMontcornetwasmayorofBlangy。
Byoneofthoseaccidentswhichcomeaboutnaturally，thegeneralmet，whileattheprefecturewherehisfriendputhimup，anon-
commissionedofficeroftheex-Imperialguard，whohadbeencheated，outofhisretiringpension。Thegeneralhadalready，underother，circumstances，doneaservicetothebravecavalryman，whosenamewas，Groison;theman，rememberingit，nowtoldhimhistroubles，admitting，thathewaspenniless。Thegeneralpromisedtogethimhispension，andproposedthatheshouldtaketheplaceoffield-keepertothe，districtofBlangy，asawayofpayingoffhisscoreofgratitudeby，devotiontothenewmayor’sinterests。Theappointmentsofmasterand，manweremadesimultaneously，andthegeneralgave，asmaybe，supposed，veryfirminstructionstohissubordinate。
Vaudoyer，thedisplacedkeeper，apeasantontheRonquerollesestate，wasonlyfit，likemostfield-keepers，tostalkabout，andgossip，and，lethimselfbepettedbythepoorofthedistrict，whoaskednothing，betterthantocorruptatsubalternauthority，——theadvancedguard，as，itwere，oftheland-owners。HeknewSoudry，thebrigadierat，Soulanges，forbrigadiersofgendarmerie，performingfunctionsthat，aresemi-judicialindrawingupcriminalindictments，havemuchtodo，withtheruralkeepers，whoare，infact，theirnaturalspies。Soudry，beingappealedto，sentVaudoyertoGaubertin，whoreceivedhisold，acquaintanceverycordially，andinvitedhimtodrinkwhilelistening，totherecitalofhistroubles。
