“Mydearfriend，“saidthemayorofVille-aux-Fayes，whocouldtalkto，everymaninhisownlanguage，“whathashappenedtoyouislikelyto，happentousall。Thenoblesarebackuponus。Thementowhomthe，Emperorgavetitlesmakecommoncausewiththeoldnobility。Theyall，wanttocrushthepeople，re-establishtheirformerrightsandtake，ourpropertyfromus。ButweareBurgundians;wemustresist，and，drivethoseArminacsbacktoParis。ReturntoBlangy;youshallbe，agentforMonsieurPolissard，thewood-merchant，whoiscontractorfor，theforestofRonquerolles。Don’tbeuneasy，mylad;I’llfindyou，enoughtodoforthewholeofthecomingyear。Butrememberonething;
thewoodisforourselves！Notasingledepredation，orthethingis，atanend。SendallinterloperstoLesAigues。Ifthere’sbrushor，fagotstosellmakepeoplebuyours;don’tletthembuyofLesAigues。
You’llgetbacktoyourplaceasfield-keeperbeforelong;thisthing，can’tlast。Thegeneralwillgetsickoflivingamongthieves。Didyou，knowthatthatShopmancalledmeathief，me！——sonofthestanchest，andmostincorruptibleofrepublicans;me！——thesoninlawofMouchon，thatfamousrepresentativeofthepeople，whodiedwithoutleavingme，enoughtoburyhim？”
Thegeneralraisedthesalaryofthenewfield-keepertothreehundred，francs;andbuiltatown-hall，inwhichhegavehimaresidence。Then，hemarriedhimtoadaughterofoneofhistenant-farmers，whohad，latelydied，leavingheranorphanwiththreeacresofvineyard。
Groisonattachedhimselftothegeneralasadogtohismaster。This，legitimatefidelitywasadmittedbythewholecommunity。Thekeeper，wasfearedandrespected，butlikethecaptainofavesselwhose，ship’scompanyhatehim;thepeasantryshunnedhimastheywoulda，leper。Meteitherinsilenceorwithsarcasmsveiledunderashowof，good-humor，thenewkeeperwasasentinelwatchedbyothersentinels。
Hecoulddonothingagainstsuchnumbers。Thedelinquentstookdelight，inplottingdepredationswhichitwasimpossibleforhimtoprove，and，theoldsoldiergrewfuriousathishelplessness。Groisonfoundthe，excitementofawaroffactionsinhisduties，andallthepleasures，ofthechase，——achaseafterpettydelinquents。Trainedinrealwarto，aloyaltywhichconsistsinpartofplayingafairgame，thisenemyof，traitorscameatlasttohatethesepeople，sotreacherousintheir，conspiracies，andsocleverintheirtheftsthattheymortifiedhis，self-esteem。Hesoonobservedthatthedepredationswerecommitted，onlyatLesAigues;alltheotherestateswererespected。Atfirsthe，despisedapeasantryungratefulenoughtopillageageneralofthe，Empire，anessentiallykindandgenerousman;presently，however，he，addedhatredtocontempt。Butmultiplyhimselfashewould，hecould，notbeeverywhere，andtheenemypillagedeverywherethathewasnot。
Groisonmadethegeneralunderstandthatitwasnecessarytoorganize，thedefenceonawarfooting，andprovedtohimtheinsufficiencyof，hisowndevotedeffortsandtheevildispositionoftheinhabitantsof，thevalley。
“Thereissomethingbehinditall，general，“hesaid;“thesepeople，aresoboldtheyfearnothing;theyseemtorelyonthefavorofthe，goodGod。”
“Weshallsee，“repliedthecount。
Fatalword！Theverb“tosee“hasnofuturetenseforpoliticians。
Atthemoment，Montcornetwasconsideringanotherdifficulty，which，seemedtohimmorepressing。heneededanalteregotodohisworkin，themayor’sofficeduringthemonthshelivedinParis。Obligedto，findsomemanwhoknewhowtoreadandwriteforthepositionof，assistantmayor，heknewofnoneandcouldhearofnonethroughoutthe，districtbutLanglume，thetenantofhisownflour-mill。Thechoice，wasdisastrous。Notonlyweretheinterestsofmayorandmiller，diametricallyopposed，butLanglumehadlonghatchedswindling，projectswithRigou，wholenthimmoneytocarryonhisbusiness，or，toacquireproperty。Themillerhadboughttherighttothehayof，certainfieldsforhishorses，andSibiletcouldnotsellitexceptto，him。Thehayofallthefieldsinthedistrictwassoldatbetter，pricesthanthatofLesAigues，thoughtheyieldofthelatterwasthe，best。
Langlume，then，becametheprovisionalmayor;butinFrancethe，provisionaliseternal，——thoughFrenchmenaresuspectedofloving，change。ActingbyRigou’sadvice，heplayedapartofgreatdevotion，tothegeneral;andhewasstillassistant-mayoratthemomentwhen，bytheomnipotenceofthehistorian，thisdramabegins。
Intheabsenceofthemayor，Rigou，necessarilyamemberofthe，districtcouncil，reignedsupreme，andbroughtforwardresolutionsall，injuriouslyaffectingthegeneral。Atonetimehecausedmoneytobe，spentforpurposesthatwereprofitabletothepeasantsonly，——the，greaterpartoftheexpensesfallinguponLesAigues，which，byreason，ofitsgreatextent，paidtwothirdsofthetaxes;atothertimesthe，councilrefused，underhisinfluence，certainusefulandnecessary，allowances，suchasanincreaseinsalaryfortheabbe，repairsor，improvementstotheparsonage，or“wages“totheschool-master。
“Ifthepeasantsonceknowhowtoreadandwrite，whatwillbecomeof，us？”saidLanglume，naively，tothegeneral，toexcusethisanti-
liberalactiontakenagainstabrotheroftheChristianDoctrinewhom，theAbbeBrossettewishedtoestablishasapublicschool-masterin，Blangy。
Thegeneral，delightedwithhisoldGroison，returnedtoParisand，immediatelylookedabouthimforotheroldsoldiersofthelate，imperialguard，withwhomtoorganizethedefenceofLesAiguesona，formidablefooting。Bydintofsearchingoutandquestioninghis，friendsandmanyofficersonhalf-pay，heunearthedMichaud，aformer，quartermasteratheadquartersofthecuirassiersoftheguard;oneof，thosemenwhomtrooperscall“hard-to-cook，“anicknamederivedfrom，themesskitchenwhererefractorybeansarenotuncommon。Michaud，pickedoutfromamonghisfriendsandacquaintances，threeothermen，fittobehishelpers，andabletoguardtheestatewithoutfearand，withoutreproach。
Thefirst，namedSteingel，apure-bloodedAlsacian，wasanaturalson，ofthegeneralofthatname，whofellinoneofBonaparte’sfirst，victorieswiththearmyofItaly。Tallandstrong，hebelongedtothe，classofsoldiersaccustomed，liketheRussians，toobey，passively，andabsolutely。Nothinghinderedhimintheperformanceofhisduty;
hewouldhavecollaredanemperororapopeifsuchwerehisorders。
Heignoreddanger。Perfectlyfearless，hehadneverreceivedthe，smallestscratchduringhissixteenyears’campaigning。Hesleptin，theopenairorinhisbedwithstoicalindifference。Atanyincreased，laborordiscomfort，hemerelyremarked，“Itseemstobetheorderof，theday。”
Thesecondman，Vatel，sonoftheregiment，corporalofvoltigeurs，gayasalark，ratherfreeandeasywiththefairsex，braveto，foolhardiness，wascapableofshootingacomradewithalaughif，orderedtoexecutehim。Withnofuturebeforehimandnotknowinghow，toemployhimself，theprospectoffindinganamusinglittlewarin，thefunctionsofkeeper，attractedhim;andasthegrandarmyandthe，Emperorhadhithertostoodhiminplaceofareligion，sonowheswore，toservethebraveMontcornetagainstandthroughallandeverything。
Hisnaturewasofthatessentiallywranglingqualitytowhichalife，withoutenemiesseemsdullandobjectless，——thenature，inshort，ofa，litigant，orapoliceman。Ifithadnotbeenforthepresenceofthe，sheriff’sofficer，hewouldhaveseizedTonsardandthebundleofwood，attheGrand-I-Vert，snappinghisfingersatthelawonthe，inviolabilityofaman’sdomicile。
Thethirdman，Gaillard，alsoanoldsoldier，risentotherankof，sub-lieutenant，andcoveredwithwounds，belongedtotheclassof，mechanicalsoldiers。ThefateoftheEmperorneverlefthismindand，hebecameindifferenttoeverythingelse。Withthecareofanatural，daughteronhishands，heacceptedtheplacethatwasnowofferedto，himasameansofsubsistence，takingitashewouldhavetaken，serviceinaregiment。
WhenthegeneralreachedLesAigues，whitherhehadgoneinadvanceof，histroopers，intendingtosendawayCourtecuisse，hewasamazedat，discoveringtheimpudentaudacitywithwhichthekeeperhadfulfilled，hiscommands。Thereisamethodofobeyingwhichmakestheobedience，oftheservantacuttingsarcasmonthemaster’sorder。Butallthings，inthisworldcanbereducedtoabsurdity，andCourtecuisseinthis，instancewentbeyonditslimits。
Onehundredandtwenty-sixindictmentsagainstdepredators(mostof，whomwereincollusionwithCourtecuisse)andsworntobeforethe，justicecourtofSoulanges，hadresultedinsixty-ninecommitmentsfor，trial，invirtueofwhichBrunet，thesheriff’sofficer，delightedat，suchawindfalloffees，hadrigorouslyenforcedthewarrantsinsuch，awayastobringaboutwhatiscalled，inlegallanguage，a，declarationofinsolvency;aconditionofpauperismwherethelaw，becomesofcoursepowerless。Bythisdeclarationthesheriffproves，thatthedefendantpossessesnopropertyofanykind，andistherefore，apauper。Wherethereisabsolutelynothing，thecreditor，likethe，king，loseshisrighttosue。Thepaupersinthiscase，carefully，selectedbyCourtecuisse，werescatteredthroughfiveneighboring，districts，whitherBrunetbetookhimselfdulyattendedbyhis，satellites，VermichelandFourchon，toservethewrits。Laterhe，transmittedthepaperstoSibiletwithabillofcostsforfive，thousandfrancs，requestinghimtoobtainthefurtherordersof，MonsieurlecomtedeMontcornet。
JustasSibilet，armedwiththesepapers，wascalmlyexplainingtothe，counttheresultoftherashordershehadgiventoCourtecuisse，and，witnessing，ascalmly，aburstofthemostviolentangerageneralof，theFrenchcavalrywaseverknowntoindulgein，Courtecuisseentered，topayhisrespectstohismasterandtobringhisownaccountof，elevenhundredfrancs，thesumtowhichhispromisedcommissionnow，amounted。Thenaturalmantookthebitinhisteethandranoffwith，thegeneral，whototallyforgothiscoronetandhisfieldrank;hewas，atrooperoncemore，vomitingcursesofwhichheprobablywasashamed，whenhethoughtofthemlater。
“Ha！elevenhundredfrancs！”heshouted，“elevenhundredslapsinyour，face！elevenhundredkicks！——DoyouthinkIcan’tseestraightthrough，yourlies？Outofmysight，orI’llstrikeyouflat！”
Atthemerelookofthegeneral’spurplefaceandbeforethatwarrior，couldgetoutthelastwords，Courtecuissewasofflikeaswallow。
“Monsieurlecomte，“saidSibilet，gently，“youarewrong。”
“Wrong！I，wrong？”
“Yes，Monsieurlecomte，takecare，youwillhavetroublewiththat，rascal;hewillsueyou。”
“WhatdoIcareforthat？Tellthescoundreltoleavetheplace，instantly！Seethathetakesnothingofmine，andpayhimhiswages。”
Fourhourslaterthewholecountry-sidewasgossipingaboutthis，scene。Thegeneral，theysaid，hadassaultedtheunfortunate，Courtecuisse，andrefusedtopayhiswagesandtwothousandfrancs，besides，whichheowedhim。Extraordinarystorieswenttherounds，and，themasterofLesAigueswasdeclaredinsane。ThenextdayBrunet，who，hadservedallthewarrantsforthegeneral，nowbroughthimonbehalf，ofCourtecuisseasummontoappearbeforethepolicecourt。Thelion，wasstungbygnats;buthismiserywasonlyjustbeginning。
Theinstallationofakeeperisnotdonewithoutafewformalities;he，must，forinstance，fileanoathinthecivilcourt。Somedays，thereforeelapsedbeforethethreekeepersreallyenteredupontheir，functions。ThoughthegeneralhadwrittentoMichaudtobringhiswife，withoutwaitinguntilthelodgeatthegateoftheAvonnewasready，forthem，thefuturehead-keeper，orratherbailiff，wasdetainedin，Parisbyhismarriageandhiswife’sfamily，anddidnotreachLes，Aiguesuntilafortnightlater。Duringthosetwoweeks，andduringthe，timestillfurtherrequiredforcertainformalitieswhichwerecarried，outwithveryillgracebytheauthoritiesatVille-aux-Fayes，the，forestofLesAigueswasshamefullydevastatedbythepeasantry，who，tookadvantageofthefactthattherewaspracticallynowatchover，it。
Theappearanceofthreekeepershandsomelydressedingreencloth，the，Emperor’scolor，withfacesdenotingfirmness，andeachofthemwell-
made，active，andcapableofspendingtheirnightsinthewoods，wasa，greateventinthevalley，fromConchestoVille-aux-Fayes。
ThroughoutthedistrictGroisonwastheonlymanwhowelcomedthese，veterans。Delightedtobethusreinforced，heletfallafewthreats，againstthieves，whobeforelong，hesaid，wouldbewatchedsoclosely，thattheycoulddonodamage。Thustheusualproclamationofallgreat，commanderswasnotlackingtothepresentwar;inthiscaseitwas，saidaloudandalsowhisperedinsecret。
Sibiletcalledthegeneral’sattentiontothefactthatthe，gendarmerieofSoulanges，andespeciallyitsbrigadier，Soudry，were，thoroughlyandhypocriticallyhostiletoLesAigues。Hemadehimsee，theimportanceofsubstitutinganotherbrigade，whichmightshowa，betterspirit。
“Withagoodbrigadierandacompanyofgendarmesdevotedtoyour，interests，youcouldmanagethecountry，“hesaidtohim。
ThegeneralwenttothePrefectureandobtainedfromthegeneralin，commandofthedivisiontheretirementofSoudryandthesubstitution，ofamannamedViallet，anexcellentgendarmeatheadquarters，whowas，muchpraisedbyhisgeneralandtheprefect。Thecompanyofgendarmes，atSoulangesweredispersedtootherplacesinthedepartmentbythe，colonelofthegendarmerie，anoldfriendofMontcornet，andchosen，menwereputintheirplaceswithsecretorderstokeepwatchoverthe，estateoftheComtedeMontcornet，andpreventallfutureattemptsto，injureit;theywerealsoparticularlyenjoinednottoallow，themselvestobegainedoverbytheinhabitantsofSoulanges。
Thislastrevolutionarymeasure，carriedoutwithsuchrapiditythat，therewasnopossibilityofcounterminingitcreatedmuchastonishment，inSoulangesandinVille-aux-Fayes。Soudry，whofelthimself，dismissed，complainedbitterly，andGaubertinmanagedtogethim，appointedmayor，whichputthegendarmerieunderhisorders。Anoutcry，wasmadeabouttyranny。Montcornetbecameanobjectofgeneralhatred。
Notonlywerefiveorsixlivesradicallychangedbyhim，butmany，personalvanitieswerewounded。Thepeasants，takingtheircuefrom，wordsdroppedbythesmalltradesmenofVille-aux-FayesandSoulanges，andbyRigou，Langlume，Guerbet，andthepostmasteratConches，thoughttheywereontheeveoflosingwhattheycalledtheirrights。
ThegeneralstoppedthesuitbroughtbyCourtecuissebypayinghimall，hedemanded。Themanthenpurchased，nominallyfortwothousand，francs，alittlepropertysurroundedonallsidesbutonebythe，estateofLesAigues，——asortofcoverintowhichthegameescaped。
Rigou，theowner，hadneverbeenwillingtopartwithLaBachelerie，asitwascalled，tothepossessorsoftheestate，buthenowtook，maliciouspleasureinsellingit，atfiftypercentdiscount，to，Courtecuisse;whichmadetheex-keeperoneofRigou’snumerous，henchmen，forallheactuallypaidforthepropertywasonethousand，francs。
Thethreekeepers，withMichaudthebailiff，andGroisonthefield-
keeperofBlangy，ledhenceforththelifeofguerrillas。Livingnight，anddayintheforest，theysoonacquiredthatdeepknowledgeof，woodlandthingswhichbecomesascienceamongforesters，savingthem，muchlossoftime;theystudiedthetracksofanimals，thespeciesof，thetrees，andtheirhabitsofgrowth，trainingtheirearstoevery，soundandtoeverymurmurofthewoods。Stillfurther，theyobserved，faces，watchedandunderstoodthedifferentfamiliesinthevarious，villagesofthedistrict，andknewtheindividualsineachfamily，theirhabits，characters，andmeansofliving，——afarmoredifficult，matterthanmostpersonssuppose。Whenthepeasantswhoobtainedtheir，livingfromLesAiguessawthesewell-plannedmeasuresofdefence，theymetthemwithdumbresistanceorsneeringsubmission。
Fromthefirst，MichaudandSibiletmutuallydislikedeachother。The，frankandloyalsoldier，withthesenseofhonorofasubalternofthe，young“garde，“hatedtheservilebrutalityandthediscontentedspirit，ofthesteward。HesoontooknoteoftheobjectionswithwhichSibilet，opposedallmeasuresthatwerereallyjudicious，andthereasonshe，gaveforthosethatwerequestionable。Insteadofcalmingthegeneral，Sibilet，asthereaderhasalreadyseen，constantlyexcitedhimand，drovehimtoharshmeasures，allthewhiletryingtodaunthimby，drawinghisattentiontocountlessannoyances，pettyvexations，and，ever-recurringandunconquerabledifficulties。Withoutsuspectingthe，roleofspyandexasperatorundertakenbySibilet(whosecretly，intendedtoeventuallymakechoiceinhisowninterestsbetween，Gaubertinandthegeneral)Michaudfeltthatthesteward’snaturewas，badandgrasping，andhewasunabletoexplaintohimselfitsapparent，honesty。Theenmitywhichseparatedthetwofunctionarieswas，satisfactorytothegeneral。Michaud’shatredledhimtowatchthe，steward，thoughhewouldnothavecondescendedtoplaythepartofspy，ifthegeneralhadnotrequiredit。Sibiletfawneduponthebailiff，andflatteredhim，withoutbeingabletogetanythingfromhimbeyond，anextremepolitenesswhichtheloyalsoldierestablishedbetweenthem，asabarrier。
Now，allpreliminarydetailshavingbeenmadeknown，thereaderwill，understandtheconductofthegeneral’senemiesandthemeaningofthe，conversationwhichhehadwithwhathecalledhistwoministers，after，MadamedeMontcornet，theabbe，andBlondetleftthebreakfast-table。
CHAPTERIX
CONCERNINGTHEMEDIOCRACY
“Well，Michaud，what’sthenews？”askedthegeneralassoonashis，wifehadlefttheroom。
“General，ifyouwillpermitmetosayso，itwouldbebetternotto，talkovermattersinthisroom。Wallshaveears，andIshouldliketo，becertainthatwhatwesayreachesnonebutourown。”
“Verygood，“saidthegeneral，“thenletuswalktowardsthesteward’s，lodgebythepaththroughthefields;noonecanoverhearusthere。”
Afewmomentslaterthegeneral，withMichaudandSibilet，was，crossingthemeadows，whileMadamedeMontcornet，withtheabbeand，Blondet，wasonherwaytothegateoftheAvonne。
MichaudrelatedthescenethathadjusttakenplaceattheGrand-I-
Vert。
“Vateldidwrong，“saidSibilet。
“Theymadethatplaintohimatonce，“repliedMichaud，“byblinding，him;butthat’snothing。General，youremembertheplanweagreed，upon，——toseizethecattleofthosedepredatorsagainstwhomjudgment，wasgiven？Well，wecan’tdoit。Brunet，likehiscolleaguePlissoud，isnotloyalinhissupport。Theybothwarnthedelinquentswhenthey，areabouttomakeaseizure。Vermichel，Brunet’sassistant，wentto，theGrand-I-Vertthismorning，ostensiblyafterPereFourchon;and，MarieTonsard，whoisintimatewithBonnebault，ranoffatonceto，givethealarmatConches。Thedepredationshavebegunagain。”
“Astrongshowofauthorityisbecomingdailymoreandmore，necessary，“saidSibilet。
“WhatdidItellyou？”criedthegeneral。“Wemustdemandthe，enforcementofthejudgmentofthecourt，whichcarriedwithit，imprisonment;wemustarrestfordebtallthosewhodonotpaythe，damagesIhavewonandthecostsofthesuits。”
“Thesefellowsimaginethelawispowerless，andtelleachotherthat，youdarenotarrestthem，“saidSibilet。“Theythinktheyfrighten，you！TheyhaveconfederatesatVille-aux-Fayes;foreventhe，prosecutingattorneyseemstohaveignoredtheverdictsagainstthem。”
“Ithink，“saidMichaud，seeingthatthegenerallookedthoughtful，“thatifyouarewillingtospendagooddealofmoneyyoucanstill，protecttheproperty。”
“Itisbettertospendmoneythantoactharshly，“remarkedSibilet。
“Whatisyourplan？”askedthegeneralofhisbailiff。
“Itisverysimple，“saidMichaud。“Inclosethewholeforestwith，walls，likethoseofthepark，andyouwillbesafe;theslightest，depredationthenbecomesacriminaloffenceandistakentothe，assizes。”
“Atafrancandahalfthesquarefootforthematerialonly，Monsieur，lecomtewouldfindhiswallwouldcosthimathirdofthewholevalue，ofLesAigues，“saidSibilet，withalaugh。
“Well，well，“saidMontcornet，“Ishallgoandseetheattorney-
generalatonce。”
“Theattorney-general，“remarkedSibilet，gently，“mayperhapsshare，theopinionofhissubordinate;forthenegligenceshownbythelatter，isprobablytheresultofanagreementbetweenthem。”
“ThenIwishtoknowit！”criedMontcornet。“IfIhavetogetthe，wholeofthemturnedout，judges，civilauthorities，andtheattorney-
generaltoboot，I’lldoit;I’llgotheKeeperoftheSeals，orto，thekinghimself。”
AtavehementsignmadebyMichaudthegeneralstoppedshortandsaid，toSibilet，asheturnedtoretracehissteps，“Goodday，mydear，fellow，“——wordswhichthestewardunderstood。
“DoesMonsieurlecomteintend，asmayor，toenforcethenecessary，measurestorepresstheabuseofgleaning？”hesaid，respectfully。
“Theharvestiscomingon，andifwearetopublishthestatutesabout，certificatesofpauperismandthepreventionofpaupersfromother，districtsgleaningourland，thereisnotimetobelost。”
“Doitatonce，andarrangewithGroison，“saidthecount。“Withsuch，aclassofpeople，“headded，“wemustfollowoutthelaw。”
So，withoutamoment’sreflection，Montcornetgaveintoameasure，thatSibilethadbeenproposingtohimformorethanafortnight，to，whichhehadhithertorefusedtoconsent;butnow，intheviolenceof，angercausedbyVatel’smishap，heinstantlyadopteditastheright，thingtodo。
WhenSibiletwasatsomedistancethegeneralsaidinalowvoiceto，hisbailiff：——
“Well，mydearMichaud，whatisit;whydidyoumakemethatsign？”
“Youhaveanenemywithinthewalls，general，yetyoutellhimplans，whichyououghtnottoconfideeventothesecretpolice。”
“Ishareyoursuspicions，mydearfriend，“repliedMontcornet，“butI
don’tintendtocommitthesamefaulttwiceover。Ishallnotpart，withanotherstewardtillI’msureofabetter。Iamwaitingtoget，ridofSibilet，tillyouunderstandthebusinessofstewardwell，enoughtotakehisplace，andtillVatelisfittosucceedyou。And，yet，IhavenogroundofcomplaintagainstSibilet。Heishonestand，punctualinallhisdealings;hehasn’tkeptbackahundredfrancsin，allthesefiveyears。Hehasaperfectlydetestablenature，andthat’s，allonecansayagainsthim。Ifitwereotherwise，whatwouldbehis，planinactingashedoes？”
“General，“saidMichaud，gravely，“Iwillfindout，forundoubtedlyhe，hasone;andifyouwouldonlyallowit，agoodbribetothatold，scoundrelFourchonwillenablemetogetatthetruth;thoughafter，whathesaidjustnowIsuspecttheoldfellowofhavingmoresecrets，thanoneinhispouch。Thatswindlingoldcordwainertoldmehimself，theywanttodriveyoufromLesAigues。Andletmetellyou，foryou，oughttoknowit，thatfromConchestoVille-aux-Fayesthereisnota，peasant，apettytradesman，afarmer，atavern-keeperwhoisn’tlaying，byhismoneytobuyabitoftheestate。Fourchonconfidedtomethat，Tonsardhasalreadyputinhisclaim。Theideathatyoucanbeforced，tosellLesAigueshasgonefromendtoendofthevalleylikean，infectionintheair。Itmaybethatthesteward’spresenthouse，with，someadjoiningland，willbethepricepaidforSibilet’sspying。
NothingiseversaidamongusthatisnotimmediatelyknownatVille-
aux-Fayes。SibiletisarelativeofyourenemyGaubertin。Whatyou，havejustsaidabouttheattorney-generalandtheotherswillprobably，bereportedbeforeyouhavereachedthePrefecture。Youdon’tknow，whattheinhabitantsofthisdistrictare。”
“Don’tIknowthem？Iknowtheyarethescumoftheearth！Doyou，supposeIamgoingtoyieldtosuchblackguards？”criedthegeneral。
“Goodheavens，I’dratherburnLesAiguesmyself！”
“Noneedtoburnit;letusadoptalineofconductwhichwillbaffle，theschemesoftheseLilliputians。Judgingbythreats，general，they，areresolvedonwartotheknifeagainstyou;andthereforesinceyou，mentionincendiarism，letmebegofyoutoinsureallyourbuildings，andallyourfarmhouses。”
“Michaud，doyouknowwhomtheymeanby’Shopman’？Yesterday，asIwas，ridingalongbytheThune，Iheardsomelittlerascalscryout，’The，Shopman！here’stheShopman！’andthentheyranaway。”
“AskSibilet;theanswerisinhisline，helikestomakeyouangry，“
saidMichaud，withapainedlook。“But——ifyouwillhaveananswer——
well，that’sanicknamethesebrigandshavegivenyou，general。”
“Whatdoesitmean？”
“Itmeans，general——well，itreferstoyourfather。”
“Ha！thecurs！”criedthecount，turninglivid。“Yes，Michaud，my，fatherwasashopkeeper，anupholsterer;thecountessdoesn’tknowit。
Oh！thatIshouldever——well！afterall，Ihavewaltzedwithqueens，andempresses。I’lltellherthisverynight，“hecried，aftera，pause。
“Theyalsocallyouacoward，“continuedMichaud。
“Ha！”
“TheyaskhowyoumanagedtosaveyourselfatEsslingwhennearlyall，yourcomradesperished。”
Theaccusationbroughtasmiletothegeneral’slips。“Michaud，I
shallgoatoncetothePrefecture！”hecried，withasortoffury，“ifitisonlytogetthepoliciesofinsuranceyouaskfor。Let，MadamelacomtesseknowthatIhavegone。Ha，ha！theywantwar，do，they？Well，theyshallhaveit;I’lltakemypleasureinthwarting，them，——everyoneofthem，thosebourgeoisofSoulanges，andtheir，peasantry！Weareintheenemy’scountry，thereforeprudence！Tellthe，foresterstokeepwithinthelimitsofthelaw。PoorVatel，takecare，ofhim。Thecountessisinclinedtobetimid;shemustknownothingof，allthis;otherwiseIcouldnevergethertocomebackhere。”
NeitherthegeneralnorMichaudunderstoodtheirrealperil。Michaud，hadbeentooshortatimeinthisBurgundianvalleytorealizethe，enemy’spower，thoughhesawitsaction。Thegeneral，forhispart，believedinthesupremacyofthelaw。
Thelaw，suchasthelegislatureofthesedaysmanufacturesit，has，notthevirtueweattributetoit。Itstrikesunequally;itisso，modifiedinmanyofitsmodesofapplicationthatitvirtuallyrefutes，itsownprinciples。Thisfactmaybenotedmoreorlessdistinctly，throughoutallages。Isthereanyhistorianignorantenoughtoassert，thatthedecreesofthemostvigilantofpowerswereeverenforced，throughoutFrance？——forinstance，thattherequisitionsofthe，Conventionformen，commodities，andmoneywereobeyedinProvence，in，thedepthsofNormandy，onthebordersofBrittany，astheywereat，thegreatcentresofsociallife？Whatphilosopherdaresdenythata，headfallsto-dayinsuchorsuchdepartment，whileinaneighboring，departmentanotherheadstaysonitsshouldersthoughguiltyofa，crimeidenticallythesame，andoftenmorehorrible？Weaskfor，equalityinlife，andinequalityreignsinlawandinthedeath，penalty！
Whenthepopulationofatownfallsbelowacertainfigurethe，administrativesystemisnolongerthesame。Thereareperhapsa，hundredcitiesinFrancewherethelawsarevigorouslyenforced，and，theretheintelligenceofthecitizensrisestotheconceptionofthe，problemofpublicwelfareandfuturesecuritywhichthelawseeksto，solve;butthroughouttherestofFrancenothingiscomprehended，beyondimmediategratification;peoplerebelagainstallthatlessens，it。ThereforeinnearlyonehalfofFrancewefindapowerofinertia，whichdefeatsalllegalaction，bothmunicipalandgovernmental。This，resistance，beitunderstood，doesnotaffecttheessentialthingsof，publicpolity。Thecollectionoftaxes，recruiting，punishmentof，greatcrimes，asageneralthingdosystematicallygoon;butoutside，ofsuchrecognizednecessities，alllegislativedecreeswhichaffect，customs，morals，privateinterests，andcertainabuses，areadead，letter，owingtothesullenoppositionofthepeople。Atthevery，momentwhenthisbookisgoingtopress，thisdumbresistance，which，opposedLouisXIV。inBrittany，maystillbeseenandfelt。Seethe，unfortunateresultsofthegame-laws，towhichwearenowsacrificing，yearlythelivesofsometwentyorthirtymenforthesakeof，preservingafewanimals。
InFrancethelawis，toatleasttwentymillionofinhabitants，nothingmorethanabitofwhitepaperpostedonthedoorsofthe，churchandthetown-hall。Thatgivesrisetotheterm“papers，“which，Moucheusedtoexpresslegality。Manymayorsofcantons(nottospeak，ofthedistrictmayors)putuptheirbundlesofseedsandherbswith，theprintedstatutes。Asforthedistrictmayors，thenumberofthose，whodonotknowhowtoreadandwriteisreallyalarming，andthe，mannerinwhichthecivilrecordsarekeptisevenmoreso。Thedanger，ofthisstateofthings，well-knowntothegoverningpowers，is，doubtlessdiminishing;butwhatcentralization(againstwhichevery，onedeclaims，asitisthefashioninFrancetodeclaimagainstall，thingsgoodandusefulandstrong)，——whatcentralizationcannottouch，thePoweragainstwhichitwillforeverflingitselfinvain，isthat，whichthegeneralwasnowabouttoattack，andwhichweshalltake，leavetocalltheMediocracy。
Agreatoutcrywasmadeagainstthetyrannyofthenobles;inthese，daysthecryisagainstthatofcapitalists，againstabusesofpower，whichmaybemerelytheinevitablegallingofthesocialyoke，called，CompactbyRousseau，Constitutionbysome，Charterbyothers;Czar，here，Kingthere，ParliamentinGreatBritain;whileinFrancethe，generallevellingbegunin1789andcontinuedin1830haspavedthe，wayforthejugglingdominionofthemiddleclasses，anddeliveredthe，nationintotheirhandswithoutescape。Theportrayalofonefact，alone，unfortunatelyonlytoocommoninthesedays，namely，the，subjectionofacanton，alittletown，asub-prefecture，tothewill，ofafamilyclique，——inshort，thepoweracquiredbyGaubertin，——will，showthissocialdangerbetterthanalldogmaticstatementsput，together。Manyoppressedcommunitieswillrecognizethetruthofthis，picture;manypersonssecretlyandsilentlycrushedbythistyranny，willfindinthesewordsanobituary，asitwere，whichmayhalf，consolethemfortheirhiddenwoes。
Attheverymomentwhenthegeneralimaginedhimselftoberenewinga，warfareinwhichtherehadreallybeennotruce，hisformersteward，hadjustcompletedthelastmeshesofthenet-workinwhichhenow，heldthewholearrondissementofVille-aux-Fayes。Toavoidtoomany，explanationsitisnecessarytostate，onceforall，succinctly，the，genealogicalramificationsbymeansofwhichGaubertinwoundhimself，aboutthecountry，asaboa-constrictorwindsaroundatree，——with，suchartthatapassingtravellerthinkshebeholdssomenatural，effectofthetropicalvegetation。
In1793therewerethreebrothersofthenameofMouchoninthevalley，oftheAvonne。After1793theychangedthenameofthevalleytothat，oftheValleydesAigues，outofhatredtotheoldnobility。
Theeldestbrother，stewardofthepropertyoftheRonquerolles，family，waselecteddeputyofthedepartmenttotheConvention。Like，hisfriend，Gaubertin’sfather，theprosecutorofthosedays，who，savedtheSoulangesfamily，hesavedthepropertyandthelivesofthe，Ronquerolles。Hehadtwodaughters;onemarriedtoGendrin，the，lawyer，theothertoGaubertin。Hediedin1804。
Thesecond，throughtheinfluenceofhiselderbrother，wasmade，postmasteratConches。Hisonlychildwasadaughter，marriedtoa，richfarmernamedGuerbet。Hediedin1817。
ThelastoftheMouchons，whowasapriest，andthecurateofVille-
aux-FayesbeforetheRevolution，wasagainapriestafterthere-
establishmentofCatholicworship，andagainthecurateofthesame，littletown。Hewasnotwillingtotaketheoath，andwashiddenfora，longtimeinthehermitageofLesAigues，undertheprotectionofthe，Gaubertins，fatherandson。Nowaboutsixty-sevenyearsofage，hewas，treatedwithuniversalrespectandaffection，owingtotheharmonyof，hisnaturewiththatoftheinhabitants。Parsimonioustothevergeof，avarice，hewasthoughttoberich，andthecreditofbeingso，increasedtherespectthatwasshowntohim。Monseigneurthebishop，paidthegreatestattentiontotheAbbeMouchon，whowasalwaysspoken，ofasthevenerablecurateofVille-aux-Fayes;andthefactthathe，hadseveraltimesrefusedtogoandliveinasplendidparsonage，attachedtothePrefecture，whereMonseigneurwishedtosettlehim，madehimdearerstilltohispeople。
Gaubertin，nowmayorofVille-aux-Fayes，receivedsteadysupportfrom，hisbrother-in-lawGendrin，whowasjudgeofthemunicipalcourt。
Gaubertintheyounger，thesolicitorwhohadthemostpracticebefore，thiscourtandmuchreputeinthearrondissement，wasalreadythinking，ofsellinghispracticeafterfiveyears’exerciseofit。Hewantedto，succeedhisUncleGendrinascounsellorwheneverthelattershould，retirefromtheprofession。Gendrin’sonlysonwascommissionerof，mortgages。
Soudry’sson，whoforthelasttwoyearshadbeenprosecuting-attorney，attheprefecture，wasGaubertin’shenchman。ThecleverMadameSoudry，hadsecuredthefutureofherhusband’ssonbymarryinghimtoRigou’s，onlydaughter。TheunitedfortunesoftheSoudrysandtheex-monk，whichwouldcomeeventuallytotheattorney，madethatyoungmanone，ofthemostimportantpersonagesofthedepartment。
Thesub-prefectofVille-aux-Fayes，MonsieurdesLupeaulx，nephewof，thegeneral-secretaryofoneofthemostimportantministriesin，Paris，wastheprospectivehusbandofMademoiselleEliseGaubertin，themayor’syoungestdaughter，whosedowry，likethatofherelder，sister，wastwohundredthousandfrancs，nottospeakof，“expectations。”Thisfunctionaryshowedmuchsense，thoughnotaware，ofit，infallinginlovewithMademoiselleElisewhenhefirst，arrivedatVille-aux-Fayes，in1819。Ifithadnotbeenforhissocial，position，whichmadehim“eligible，“hewouldlongagohavebeen，forcedtoaskforhisexchange。ButGaubertininmarryinghimtohis，daughterthoughtmuchmoreoftheuncle，thegeneral-secretary，than，ofthenephew;andinreturn，theuncle，forthesakeofhisnephew，gaveallhisinfluencetoGaubertin。
ThustheChurch，themagistracybothremovableandirremovable，the，municipality，andtheprefecture，thefourfeetofpower，walkedas，themayorpleased。Letusnowseehowthatfunctionarystrengthened，himselfinthespheresaboveandbelowthatinwhichheworked。
ThedepartmenttowhichVille-aux-Fayesbelongsisonethenumberof，whosepopulationgivesittherighttoelectsixdeputies。Eversince，thecreationoftheLeftCentreoftheChamber，thearrondissementof，Ville-aux-FayeshadsentadeputynamedLeclercq，formerlybanking，agentofthewinedepartmentofthecustom-house，ason-in-lawof，Gaubertin，andnowagovernoroftheBankofFrance。Thenumberof，electorswhichthisrichvalleysenttotheelectoralcollegewas，sufficienttoinsure，ifonlythroughprivatedealing，theconstant，appointmentofMonsieurdeRonquerolles，thepatronoftheMouchon，family。ThevotersofVille-aux-Fayeslenttheirsupporttothe，prefect，onconditionthattheMarquisdeRonquerolleswasmaintained，inthecollege。ThusGaubertin，whowasthefirsttobroachtheidea，ofthisarrangement，wasfavorablyreceivedatthePrefecture，which，heoften，inreturn，savedfrompettyannoyances。Theprefectalways，selectedthreefirmministerialists，andtwodeputiesoftheLeft，Centre。Thelatter，oneofthembeingtheMarquisdeRonquerolles，brother-in-lawoftheComtedeSerisy，andtheotheragovernorofthe，BankofFrance，gavelittleornoalarmtothecabinet，andthe，electionsinthisdepartmentwereratedexcellentattheministryof，theinterior。
TheComtedeSoulanges，peerofFrance，selectedtobethenext，marshal，andfaithfultotheBourbons，knewthathisforestsandother，propertywereallwell-managedbythenotaryLupin，andwell-watched，bySoudry。HewasapatronofGendrin’s，havingobtainedhis，appointmentasjudgepartlybythehelpofMonsieurdeRonquerolles。
MessieursLeclercqanddeRonquerollessatintheLeftCentre，but，nearertotheleftthantothecentre，——apoliticalpositionwhich，offersgreatadvantagestothosewhoregardtheirpoliticalconscience，asagarment。
ThebrotherofMonsieurLeclercqhadobtainedthesituationof，collectoratVille-aux-Fayes，andLeclercqhimself，Gaubertin’sson-
in-law，hadlatelyboughtafineestatebeyondthevalleyofthe，Avonne，whichbroughthiminarentalofthirtythousandfrancs，with，parkandchateauandacontrollinginfluenceinitsowncanton。
Thus，intheupperregionsoftheState，inbothChambers，andinthe，chiefministerialdepartment，Gaubertincouldrelyonaninfluence，thatwaspowerfulandalsoactive，andwhichhewascarefulnotto，wearywithunimportantrequests。
ThecounsellorGendrin，appointedjudgebytheChamber，wasthe，leadingspiritoftheSupremeCourt;forthechiefjustice，oneofthe，threeministerialdeputies，leftthemanagementofittoGendrin，duringhalftheyear。ThecounselforthePrefecture，acousinof，Sarcus，called“Sarcustherich，“wastheright-handmanofthe，prefect，himselfadeputy。Evenwithoutthefamilyreasonswhich，alliedGaubertinandyoungdesLupeaulx，abrotherofMadameSarcus，wouldstillhavebeendesirableassub-prefecttothearrondissement，ofVille-aux-Fayes。MadameSarcus，thecounsellor’swife，wasaVallat，ofSoulanges，afamilyconnectedwiththeGaubertins，andshewassaid，tohave“distinguished“thenotaryLupininheryouth。Thoughshewas，nowforty-fiveyearsold，withasonintheschoolofengineers，Lupin，neverwenttothePrefecturewithoutpayinghisrespectsanddining，withher。
ThenephewofGuerbet，thepostmaster，whosefatherwas，aswehave，seen，collectorofSoulanges，heldtheimportantsituationof，examiningjudgeinthemunicipalcourtofVille-aux-Fayes。Thethird，judge，sonofCorbinet，thenotary，belongedbodyandsoultotheall-
powerfulmayor;and，finally，youngVigor，sonofthelieutenantof，thegendarmerie，wasthesubstitutejudge。
Sibilet’sfather，sheriffofthecourt，hadmarriedhissisterto，MonsieurVigorthelieutenant，andthatindividual，fatherofsix，children，wascousinofthefatherofGaubertinthroughhiswife，a，Gaubertin-Vallat。Eighteenmonthspreviouslytheunitedeffortsofthe，twodeputies，MonsieurdeSoulangesandGaubertin，hadcreatedthe，placeofcommissaryofpoliceforthesheriff’ssecondson。
Sibilet’seldestdaughtermarriedMonsieurHerve，aschool-master，whoseschoolwastransformedintoacollegeasaresultofthis，marriage，sothatforthepastyearSoulangeshadrejoicedinthe，presenceofaprofessor。
Thesheriff’syoungestsonwasemployedonthegovernmentdomains，withthepromiseofsucceedingtheclerkofregistrationssosoonas，thatofficerhadcompletedthetermofservicewhichenabledhimto，retireonapension。
TheyoungestSibiletgirl，nowsixteenyearsold，wasbetrothedto，Corbinet，brotherofthenotary。Andanoldmaid，Mademoiselle，Gaubertin-Vallat，sisterofMadameSibilet，thesheriff’swife，held，theofficeforthesaleofstampedpaper。
Thus，whereverweturninVille-aux-Fayeswemeetsomememberofthe，invisiblecoalition，whoseavowedchief，recognizedassuchbyevery，one，greatandsmall，wasthemayorofthetown，thegeneralagentfor，theentiretimberbusiness，Gaubertin！
IfweturntotheotherendofthevalleyoftheAvonneweshallsee，thatGaubertinruledatSoulangesthroughtheSoudrys，throughLupin，theassistantmayorandstewardoftheSoulangesestate，whowas，necessarilyinconstantcommunicationwiththeComtedeSoulanges，throughSarcus，justiceofthepeace，throughGuerbet，thecollector，throughGourdon，thedoctor，whohadmarriedaGendrin-Vatebled。He，governedBlangythroughRigou，Conchesthroughthepost-master，the，despoticrulerofhisowndistrict。
Gaubertin’sinfluencewassogreatandpowerfulthateventhe，investmentsandthesavingsofRigou，Soudry，Gendrin，Guerbet，Lupin，evenSarcustherichhimself，weremanagedbyhisadvice。Thetownof，Ville-aux-Fayesbelievedimplicitlyinitsmayor。Gaubertin’sability，wasnotlessextolledthanhishonestyandhiskindness;hewasthe，servantofhisrelativesandconstituents(alwayswithaneyetoa，returnofbenefits)，andthewholemunicipalityadoredhim。Thetown，neverceasedtoblameMonsieurMariotte，ofAuxerre，forhaving，opposedandthwartedthatworthyMonsieurGaubertin。
Notawareoftheirstrength，nooccasionfordisplayingithaving，arisen，thebourgeoisieofVille-aux-Fayescontentedthemselveswith，boastingthatnostrangersintermeddledintheiraffairsandthey，believedthemselvesexcellentcitizensandfaithfulpublicservants。
Nothing，however，escapedtheirdespoticrule，whichinitselfwasnot，perceived，theresultbeingconsideredatriumphofthelocality。
Theonlystrangerinthisfamilycommunitywasthegovernmentengineer，inthehighwaydepartment;andhisdismissalinfavorofthesonof，Sarcustherichwasnowbeingpressed，withafairchancethatthis，oneweakthreadinthenetwouldsoonbestrengthened。Andyetthis，powerfulleague，whichmonopolizedalldutiesbothpublicandprivate，suckedtheresourcesoftheregion，andfastenedonpowerlikelimpets，toaship，escapedallnoticesocompletelythatGeneralMontcornet，hadnosuspicionofit。Theprefectboastedoftheprosperityof，Ville-aux-Fayesanditsarrondissement;eventheministerofthe，interiorwasheardtoremark：“There’samodelsub-prefecture，which，runsonwheels;weshouldbeluckyindeedifallwerelikeit。”Family，designsweresoinvolvedwithlocalintereststhathere，asinmany，otherlittletownsandevenprefectures，afunctionarywhodidnot，belongtotheplacewouldhavebeenforcedtoresignwithinayear。
Whenthisdespoticmiddle-classcousinryseizesavictim，heisso，carefullygaggedandboundthatcomplaintisimpossible;heissmeared，withslimeandwaxlikeasnailinabeehive。Thisinvisible，imperceptibletyrannyisupheldbypowerfulreasons，——suchasthewish，tobesurroundedbytheirownfamily，tokeeppropertyintheirown，hands，themutualhelptheyoughttolendeachother，theguarantees，giventotheadministrationbythefactthattheiragentisunderthe，eyesofhisfellow-citizensandneighbors。Whatdoesallthisleadto？
Tothefactthatlocalinterestssupersedeallquestionsofpublic，interest;thecentralizedwillofParisisfrequentlyoverthrownin，theprovinces，thetruthofthingsisdisguised，andcountry，communitiessnaptheirfingersatgovernment。Inshort，afterthemain，publicnecessitieshavebeenattendedto，itwillbeseenthatthe，laws，insteadofactinguponthemasses，receivetheirimpulsefrom，them;thepopulationsadaptthelawtothemselvesandnotthemselves，tothelaw。
WhoeverhastravelledinthesouthorwestofFrance，orinAlsace，in，anyotherwaythanfrominntoinntoseebuildingsandlandscapes，willsurelyadmitthetruthoftheseremarks。Theresultsofmiddle-
classnepotismmaybe，atpresent，merelyisolatedevils;butthe，tendencyofexistinglawsistoincreasethem。Thislow-level，despotismcanandwillcausegreatdisasters，andtheeventsofthe，dramaabouttobeplayedinthevalleyofLesAigueswillproveit。
Themonarchicalandimperialsystems，morerashlyoverthrownthan，peoplerealize，remediedtheseabusesbymeansofcertainconsecrated，lives，byclassificationsandcategoriesandbythoseparticular，counterpoisessincesoabsurdlydefinedas“privileges。”Thereareno，privilegesnow，wheneveryhumanbeingisfreetoclimbthegreased，poleofpower。Butsurelyitwouldbesafertoallowopenandavowed，privilegesthanthosewhichareunderhand，basedontrickery，subversiveofwhatshouldbepublicspirit，andcontinuingtheworkof，despotismtoalowerandbaserlevelthanheretofore。Maywenothave，overthrownnobletyrantsdevotedtotheircountry’sgood，tocreate，thetyrannyofselfishinterests？Shallpowerlurkinsecretplaces，insteadofradiatingfromitsnaturalsource？Thisisworththinking，about。Thespiritoflocalsectionalism，suchaswehavenowdepicted，willsoonbeseentoinvadetheChamber。
Montcornet’sfriend，thelateprefect，ComtedelaRoche-Hugon，had，losthispositionjustbeforethelastarrivalofthegeneralatLes，Aigues。ThisdismissaldrovehimintotheranksoftheLiberal，opposition，wherehebecameoneofthechorusoftheLeft，aposition，hesoonafterabandonedforanembassy。Hissuccessor，luckilyfor，Montcornet，wasason-in-lawoftheMarquisdeTroisville，uncleof，thecountess，theComtedeCasteran。HewelcomedMontcornetasa，relationandbeggedhimtocontinuehisintimacyatthePrefecture。
Afterlisteningtothegeneral’scomplaintstheComtedeCasteran，invitedthebishop，theattorney-general，thecolonelofthe，gendarmerie，counsellorSarcus，andthegeneralcommandingthe，divisiontomeethimthenextdayatbreakfast。
Theattorney-general，BaronBourlac(sofamousintheChanterieand，Rifaelsuits)，wasoneofthosemenwell-knowntoallgovernments，who，attachthemselvestopower，nomatterinwhosehandsitis，andwho，makethemselvesinvaluablebysuchdevotion。Havingowedhiselevation，inthefirstplacetohisfanaticismfortheEmperor，henowowedthe，retentionofhisofficialranktohisinflexiblecharacterandthe，conscientiousnesswithwhichhefulfilledhisduties。Hewhoonce，implacablyprosecutedtheremnantoftheChouansnowprosecutedthe，Bonapartistsasimplacably。Butyearsandturmoilshadsomewhat，subduedhisenergyandhehadnowbecome，likeotherolddevils，incarnate，perfectlycharminginmannerandways。
Thegeneralexplainedhispositionandthefearsofhisbailiff，and，spokeofthenecessityofmakinganexampleandenforcingtherights，ofproperty。
Thehighfunctionarieslistenedgravely，making，however，noreply，beyondmereplatitudes，suchas，“Undoubtedly，thelawsmustbe，upheld“;“Yourcauseisthatofallland-owners“;“Wewillconsider，it;but，situatedasweare，prudenceisverynecessary“;“Amonarchy，couldcertainlydomoreforthepeoplethanthepeoplewoulddofor，itself，evenifitwere，asin1793，thesovereignpeople“;“The，massessuffer，andweareboundtodoasmuchforthemasfor，ourselves。”
Therelentlessattorney-generalexpressedsuchkindlyandbenevolent，viewsrespectingtheconditionofthelowerclassesthatourfuture，Utopians，hadtheyheardhim，mighthavethoughtthatthehighergrade，ofgovernmentofficialswerealreadyawareofthedifficultiesofthat，problemwhichmodernsocietywillbeforcedtosolve。
ItmaybewelltosayherethatatthisperiodoftheRestoration，variousbloodyencountershadtakenplaceinremotepartsofthe，kingdom，causedbythisveryquestionofthepillageofwoods，andthe，maraudingrightswhichthepeasantswereeverywherearrogatingto，themselves。Neitherthegovernmentnorthecourtlikedthese，outbreaks，northesheddingofbloodwhichresultedfromrepression。
Thoughtheyfeltthenecessityofrigorousmeasures，theynevertheless，treatedasblundererstheofficialswhowerecompelledtoemploythem，anddismissedthemonthefirstpretence。Theprefectsweretherefore，anxioustoshuffleoutofsuchdifficultieswheneverpossible。
AttheverybeginningoftheconversationSarcus(therich)hadmadea，signtotheprefectandtheattorney-generalwhichMontcornetdidnot，see，butwhichsetthetoneofthediscussion。Theattorney-general，waswellawareofthestateofmindoftheinhabitantsofthevalley，desAiguesthroughhissubordinate，Soudrytheyoungattorney。
“Iforeseeaterriblestruggle，“thelatterhadsaidtohim。“They，meantokillthegendarmes;myspiestellmeso。Itwillbeveryhard，toconvictthemforit。Theinstantthejuryfeeltheyareincurring，thehatredofthefriendsofthetwentyorthirtyprisoners，theywill，notsustainus，——wecouldnotgetthemtoconvictfordeath，noreven，forthegalleys。Possiblybyprosecutinginpersonyoumightgetafew，years’imprisonmentfortheactualmurderers。Bettershutoureyes，thanopenthem，ifbyopeningthemwebringonacollisionwhichcosts，bloodshedandseveralthousandfrancstotheState，——nottospeakof，thecostofkeepingtheguiltyinprison。Itistoohighapriceto，payforavictorywhichwillonlyrevealourjudicialweaknesstothe，eyesofall。”
Montcornet，whowaswhollywithoutsuspicionofthestrengthand，influenceoftheMediocracyinhishappyvalley，didnotevenmention，Gaubertin，whosehandkepttheseembersofoppositionalwaysalive，thoughsmouldering。Afterbreakfasttheattorney-generaltook，MontcornetbythearmandledhimtothePrefect’sstudy。Whenthe，generalleftthatroomaftertheirconference，hewrotetohiswife，thathewasstartingforParisandshouldbeabsentaweek。Weshall，see，aftertheexecutionofcertainmeasuressuggestedbyBaron，Bourlac，theattorney-general，whetherthesecretadvicehegaveto，Montcornetwaswise，andwhetherinconformingtoitthecountandLes，Aigueswereenabledtoescapethe“Evilgrudge。”
Someminds，eagerformereamusement，willcomplainthatthesevarious，explanationsarefartoolong;butweoncemorecallattentiontothe，factthatthehistorianofthemanners，customs，andmoralsofhis，timemustobeyalawfarmorestringentthanthatimposedonthe，historianofmerefacts。Hemustshowtheprobabilityofeverything，eventhetruth;whereas，inthedomainofhistory，properlyso-called，theimpossiblemustbeacceptedforthesolereasonthatitdid，happen。Thevicissitudesofsocialorprivatelifearebroughtabout，byacrowdoflittlecausesderivedfromathousandconditions。The，manofscienceisforcedtoclearawaytheavalancheunderwhichwhole，villageslieburied，toshowyouthepebblesbroughtdownfromthe，summitwhichalonecandeterminetheformationofthemountain。Ifthe，historianofhumanlifeweresimplytellingyouofasuicide，five，hundredofwhichoccuryearlyinParis，themelodramaisso，commonplacethatbriefreasonsandexplanationsareallthatneedbe，given;buthowshallhemakeyouseethattheself-destructionofan，estatecouldhappeninthesedayswhenpropertyisreckonedofmore，valuethanlife？“Derevestraagitur，“saidamakeroffables;this，taleconcernstheaffairsandinterestsofallthose，nomatterwho，theybe，whopossessanything。
Rememberthatthiscoalitionofawholecantonandofalittletown，againstageneral，who，inspiteofhisrashcourage，hadescapedthe，dangersofactualwar，isgoingoninotherdistrictsagainstother，menwhoseekonlytodowhatisrightbythosedistricts。Itisa，coalitionwhichto-daythreatenseveryman，themanofgenius，the，statesman，themodernagriculturalist，——inshort，allinnovators。
Thislastexplanationnotonlygivesatruepresentationofthe，personagesofthisdrama，andaseriousmeaningeventoitspetty，details，butitalsothrowsavividlightuponthescenewheresomany，socialinterestsarenowmarshalling。
CHAPTERX
THESADNESSOFAHAPPYWOMAN
Atthemomentwhenthegeneralwasgettingintohiscalechetogoto，thePrefecture，thecountessandthetwogentlemenreachedthegateof，theAvonne，where，forthelasteighteenmonths，Michaudandhiswife，Olympehadmadetheirhome。
Whoserememberedthepavilioninthestateinwhichwelately，describeditwouldhavesupposedithadbeenrebuilt。Thebricks，fallenorbrokenbytime，andthecementlackingtotheiredges，were，replaced;theslateroofhadbeencleaned，andtheeffectofthewhite，balustradeagainstitsbluishbackgroundrestoredthegaycharacterof，thearchitecture。Theapproachestothebuilding，formerlychokedup，andsandy，werenowcaredforbythemanwhosedutyitwastokeepthe，parkroadwaysinorder。Thepoultry-yard，stables，andcow-shed，relegatedtothebuildingsnearthepheasantryandhiddenbyclumpsof，trees，insteadofafflictingtheeyewiththeirfouldetails，now，blendedthosesoftmurmursandcooingsandthesoundofflapping，wings，whichareamongthemostdelightfulaccompanimentsofNature’s，eternalharmony，withthepeculiarrustlingsoundsoftheforest。The，wholescenepossessedthedoublecharmofanatural，untouchedforest，andtheeleganceofanEnglishpark。Thesurroundingsofthepavilion，inkeepingwithitsownexterior，presentedacertainnoble，dignified，andcordialeffect;whilethehandofayoungandhappy，womangavetoitsinterioraverydifferentlookfromwhatitwore，underthecoarseneglectofCourtecuisse。
Justnowtherichseasonoftheyearwasputtingforthitsnatural，splendors。Theperfumeoftheflowerbedsblendedwiththewildodorof，thewoods;andthemeadowsnearby，wherethegrasshadbeenlately，cut，sentupthefragranceofnew-mownhay。
Whenthecountessandherguestsreachedtheendofoneofthewinding，pathswhichledtothepavilion，theysawMadameMichaud，sittingin，theopenairbeforethedoor，employedinmakingababy’sgarment。The，youngwomanthusplaced，thusemployed，addedthehumancharmthatwas，neededtocompletethescene，——acharmsotouchinginitsactuality，thatpaintershavecommittedtheerrorofendeavoringtoconveyitin，theirpictures。SuchartistsforgetthattheSOULofalandscape，if，theyrepresentittruly，issograndthatthehumanelementiscrushed，byit;whereassuchasceneaddedtoNaturelimitshertothe，proportionsofthepersonality，likeaframetowhichthemindofthe，spectatorconfinesit。WhenPoussin，theRaffaelleofFrance，madea，landscapeaccessorytohisShepherdsofArcadiaheperceivedplainly，enoughthatmanbecomesdiminutiveandabjectwhenNatureismadethe，principalfeatureonacanvas。InthatpictureAugustisinitsglory，theharvestisready，allsimpleandstronghumaninterestsare，represented。Therewefindrealizedinnaturethedreamofmanymen，whoseuncertainlifeofmingledgoodandevilharshlymixedmakesthem，longforpeaceandrest。
Letusnowrelate，infewwords，theromanceofthishome。Justin，Michauddidnotreplyverycordiallytotheadvancesmadetohimby，theillustriouscolonelofcuirassierswhenfirstofferedthe，situationofbailiffatLesAigues。Hewasthenthinkingofre-
enteringtheservice。Butwhilethenegotiations，whichnaturallytook，himtotheHotelMontcornet，weregoingon，hemetthecountess’shead，waiting-maid。Thisyounggirl，whowasentrustedtoMadamede，Montcornetbyherparents，worthyfarmersintheneighborhoodof，Alencon，hadhopesofalittlefortune，sometwentyorthirtythousand，francs，whentheheirswereallofage。Likeotherfarmerswhomarry，young，andwhoseownparentsarestillliving，thefatherandmother，ofthegirl，beingpinchedforimmediatemeans，placedherwiththe，youngcountess。MadamedeMontcornethadhertaughttosewandtomake，dresses，arrangedthatsheshouldtakehermealsalone，andwas，rewardedforthecareshebestowedonOlympeCharelbyoneofthose，unconditionalattachmentswhicharesoprecioustoParisians。
OlympeCharel，aprettyNormangirl，ratherstout，withfairhairofa，goldentint，ananimatedfacelightedbyintelligenteyes，and，distinguishedbyafinelycurvedthoroughbrednose，withamaidenly，airinspiteofacertainswayingSpanishmannerofcarryingherself，possessedallthepointsthatayounggirlbornjustabovethelevel，ofthemassesislikelytoacquirefromwhateverclosecompanionshipa，mistressiswillingtoallowher。Alwayssuitablydressed，withmodest，bearingandmanner，andabletoexpressherselfwell，Michaudwassoon，inlovewithher，——allthemorewhenhefoundthathissweetheart’s，dowrywouldonedaybeconsiderable。Theobstaclescamefromthe，countess，whocouldnotbeartopartwithsoinvaluableamaid;but，whenMontcornetexplainedtohertheaffairsatLesAigues，shegave，way，andthemarriagewasnolongerdelayed，excepttoobtainthe，consentoftheparents，which，ofcourse，wasquicklygiven。
Michaud，likehisgeneral，lookeduponhiswifeasasuperiorbeing，towhomheowedmilitaryobediencewithoutasinglereservation。He，foundinthepeaceofhishomeandhisbusylifeout-of-doorsthe，elementsofahappinesssoldierslongforwhentheygiveuptheir，profession，——enoughworktokeephisbodyhealthy，enoughfatigueto，lethimknowthecharmsofrest。Inspiteofhiswell-known，intrepidity，Michaudhadneverbeenseriouslywounded，andhehadnone，ofthosephysicalpainswhichoftensourthetemperofveterans。Like，allreallystrongmen，histemperwaseven;hiswife，therefore，loved，himutterly。Fromthetimetheytookuptheirabodeinthepavilion，thishappyhomewasthesceneofalonghoney-mooninharmonywith，Natureandwiththeartwhosecreationssurroundedthem，——a，circumstancerareindeed！Thethingsaboutusareseldominkeeping，withtheconditionofoursouls！
Thepicturewassoprettythatthecountessstoppedshortandpointed，itouttoBlondetandtheabbe;fortheycouldseeMadameMichaudfrom，wheretheystood，withoutherseeingthem。
“IalwayscomethiswaywhenIwalkinthepark，“saidthecountess，softly。“Idelightinlookingatthepavilionanditstwoturtle-
doves，asmuchasIdelightinafineview。”
SheleanedsignificantlyonBlondet’sarm，asiftomakehimshare，sentimentstoodelicateforwordsbutwhichallwomenfeel。
“IwishIwereagate-keeperatLesAigues，“saidBlondet，smiling。
“Why！whattroublesyou？”headded，noticinganexpressionofsadness，onthecountess’sface。
“Nothing，“shereplied。
Womenarealwayshidingsomeimportantthoughtwhentheysay，hypocritically，“Itisnothing。”
“Awomanmaybethevictimofideaswhichwouldseemveryflimsyto，you，“sheadded，“butwhich，tous，areterrible。Asforme，Ienvy，Olympe’slot。”
“Godhearsyou，“saidtheabbe，smilingasthoughtosoftenthe，sternnessofhisremark。
MadamedeMontcornetgrewseriouslyuneasywhenshenoticedan，expressionoffearandanxietyinOlympe’sfaceandattitude。Bythe，wayawomandrawsoutherneedleorsetsherstitchesanotherwoman，understandsherthoughts。Infact，thoughwearingarose-colored，dress，withherhaircarefullybraidedaboutherhead，thebailiff’s，wifewasthinkingofmattersthatwereoutofkeepingwithherpretty，dress，thegloriousday，andtheworkherhandswereengagedon。Her，beautifulbrow，andtheglancesheturnedsometimesonthegroundat，herfeet，sometimesonthefoliagearound，evidentlyseeingnothing，betrayedsomedeepanxiety，——allthemoreunconsciouslybecauseshe，supposedherselfalone。
“JustasIwasenvyingher！Whatcanhavesaddenedher？”whisperedthe，countesstotheabbe。
“Madame，“herepliedinthesametone，“tellmewhymanisoften，seizedwithvagueandunaccountablepresentimentsofevilinthevery，midstofsomeperfecthappiness？”
“Abbe！”saidBlondet，smiling，“youtalklikeabishop。Napoleonsaid，’Nothingisstolen，allisbought！’“
“Suchamaxim，utteredbythoseimperiallips，takestheproportions，ofsocietyitself，“repliedthepriest。
“Well，Olympe，mydeargirl，whatisthematter？”saidthecountess，goinguptoherformermaid。“Youseemsadandthoughtful;isita，lover’squarrel？”
MadameMichaud’sface，assherose，changedcompletely。
“Mydear，“saidEmileBlondet，inafatherlytone，“Ishouldliketo，knowwhatcloudsthatbrowofyours，inthispavilionwhereyouare，almostaswelllodgedastheComted’ArtoisattheTuileries。Itis，likeanestofnightingalesinagrove！Andwhatahusbandwehave！——
thebravestfellowoftheyounggarde，andahandsomeone，wholoves，ustodistraction！IfIhadknowntheadvantagesMontcornethasgiven，youhereIshouldhaveleftmydiatribingbusinessandmademyselfa，bailiff。”
“Itisnottheplaceforamanofyourtalent，monsieur，“replied，Olympe，smilingatBlondetasanoldacquaintance。
“Butwhattroublesyou，dear？”saidthecountess。
“Madame，I’mafraid——“
“Afraid！ofwhat？”saidthecountess，eagerly;forthewordreminded，herofMoucheandFourchon。
“Afraidofthewolves，isthatit？”saidEmile，makingMadameMichaud，asign，whichshedidnotunderstand。
“No，monsieur，——afraidofthepeasants。IwasborninLePerche，where，ofcoursetherearesomebadpeople，butIhadnoideahowwicked，peoplecouldbeuntilIcamehere。ItrynottomeddleinMichaud’s，affairs，butIdoknowthathedistruststhepeasantssomuchthathe，goesarmed，eveninbroaddaylight，whenheenterstheforest。He，warnshismentobealwaysonthealert。Everynowandthenthings，happenaboutherethatbodenogood。TheotherdayIwaswalkingalong，thewall，nearthesourceofthatlittlesandyrivuletwhichcomes，fromtheforestandenterstheparkthroughaculvertaboutfive，hundredfeetfromhere，——youknowit，madame？itiscalledSilver，Spring，becauseofthestar-flowersBouretissaidtohavesownthere。
Well，Ioverheardthetalkoftwowomenwhowerewashingtheirlinen，justwherethepathtoConchescrossesthebrook;theydidnotknowI
wasthere。Ourhousecanbeseenfromthatpoint，andoneoldwoman，pointeditouttotheother，saying：’Seewhatalotofmoneythey，havespentonthemanwhoturnedoutCourtecuisse。’’Theyoughttopay，amanwellwhentheysethimtoharasspoorpeopleasthatmandoes，’
answeredtheother。’Well，itwon’tbeforlong，’saidthefirstone;
’thethingisgoingtoendsoon。Wehavearighttoourwood。Thelate，Madameallowedustotakeit。That’sthirtyyearsago，sotherightis，ours。’’We’llseewhatweshallseenextwinter，’repliedthesecond。
’Mymanhasswornthegreatoaththatallthegendarmerieintheworld，sha’n’tkeepusfromgettingourwood;hesayshemeanstogetit，himself，andiftheworsthappenssomuchtheworseforthem！’’Good，God！’criedtheother;’wecan’tdieofcold，andwemustbakebread，toeat！Theywantfornothing，THOSEOTHERS！thewifeofthat，scoundrelofaMichaudwillbetakencareof，Iwarrantyou！’And，then，Madame，theysaidsuchhorriblethingsofmeandofyouandof，Monsieurlecomte;andtheyfinallydeclaredthatthefarmswouldall，beburned，andthenthechateau。”
“Bah！”saidEmile，“idletalk！Theyhavebeenrobbingthegeneral，and，theywillnotbeallowedtorobhimanylonger。Thesepeopleare，furious，that’sthewholeofit。Youmustrememberthatthelawand，thegovernmentarealwaysstrongesteverywhere，eveninBurgundy。In，caseofanoutbreakthegeneralcouldbringaregimentofcavalry，here，ifnecessary。”
TheabbemadeasigntoMadameMichaudfrombehindthecountess，tellinghertosaynomoreaboutherfears，whichweredoubtlessthe，effectofthatsecondsightwhichtruepassionbestows。Thesoul，dwellingexclusivelyononeonlybeing，graspsintheendthemoral，elementsthatsurroundit，andseesinthemthemakingsofthefuture。
Thewomanwholovesfeelsthesamepresentimentsthatlaterilluminate，hermotherhood。Henceacertainmelancholy，acertaininexplicable，sadnesswhichsurprisesmen，whoareoneandalldistractedfromany，suchconcentrationoftheirsoulsbythecaresoflifeandthe，continualnecessityforaction。Alltruelovebecomestoawomanan，activecontemplation，whichismoreorlesslucid，moreorless，profound，accordingtohernature。
“Come，mydear，showyourhometoMonsieurEmile，“saidthecountess，whosemindwassopre-occupiedthatsheforgotLaPechina，whowasthe，ostensibleobjectofhervisit。
Theinterioroftherestoredpavilionwasinkeepingwithits，exterior。Ontheground-floortheolddivisionshadbeenreplaced，and，thearchitect，sentfromPariswithhisownworkmen(acauseofbitter，complaintintheneighborhoodagainstthemasterofLesAigues)，had，madefourroomsoutofthespace。First，anante-chamber，atthe，fartherendofwhichwasawindingwoodenstaircase，behindwhichcame，thekitchen;oneithersideoftheantechamberwasadining-roomanda，parlorpanelledinoaknownearlyblack，witharmorialbearingsinthe，divisionsoftheceilings。ThearchitectchosenbyMadamede，MontcornetfortherestorationofLesAigueshadtakencaretoputthe，furnitureofthisroominkeepingwithitsoriginaldecoration。
Atthetimeofwhichwewritefashionhadnotyetgivenanexaggerated，valuetotherelicsofpastages。Thecarvedsettee，thehigh-backed，chairscoveredwithtapestry，theconsoles，theclocks，thetall，embroideryframes，thetables，thelustres，hiddenawayinthesecond-
handshopsofAuxerreandVille-aux-Fayeswerefiftyper-centcheaper，thanthemodern，ready-madefurnitureofthefaubourgSaintAntoine。
Thearchitecthadthereforeboughttwoorthreecartloadsofwell-
chosenoldthings，which，addedtoafewothersdiscardedatthe，chateau，madethelittlesalonofthegateoftheAvonneanartistic，creation。Astothedining-room，hepainteditinbrownsandhungit，withwhatwascalledaScotchpaper，andMadameMichaudaddedwhite，cambriccurtainswithgreenbordersatthewindows，mahoganychairs，coveredwithgreencloth，twolargebuffetsandatable，alsoin，mahogany。Thisroom，ornamentedwithengravingsofmilitaryscenes，washeatedbyaporcelainstove，oneachsideofwhichweresporting-
gunssuspendedonthewalls。Theseadornments，whichcostbutlittle，weretalkedofthroughoutthewholevalleyasthelastextremeof，orientalluxury。Singulartosay，they，morethananythingelse，excitedtheenvyofGaubertin，andwheneverhethoughtofhisfixed，determinationtobringLesAiguestothehammerandcutitinpieces，hereservedforhimself，“inpetto，“thisbeautifulpavilion。
Onthenextfloorthreechamberssufficedforthehousehold。Atthe，windowsweremuslincurtainswhichremindedaParisianofthe，particulartasteandfancyofbourgeoisrequirements。Lefttoherself，inthedecorationoftheserooms，MadameMichaudhadchosensatin，papers;onthemantel-shelfofherbedroom——whichwasfurnishedin，thatvulgarstyleofmahoganyandUtrechtvelvetwhichisseen，everywhere，withitshigh-backedbedandcanopytowhichembroidered，muslincurtainsarefastened——stoodanalabasterclockbetweentwo，candelabracoveredwithgauzeandflankedbytwovasesfilledwith，artificialflowersprotectedbyglassshades，aconjugalgiftofthe，formercavalrysergeant。Above，undertheroof，thebedroomsofthe，cook，theman-of-all-work，andLaPechinahadbenefitedbytherecent，restoration。
“Olympe，mydear，youdidnottellmeall，“saidthecountess，enteringMadameMichaud’sbedroom，andleavingEmileandtheabbeon，thestairway，whencetheydescendedwhentheyheardhershutthedoor。
MadameMichaud，towhomtheabbehadcontrivedtowhisperaword，was，nowanxioustosaynomoreaboutherfears，whichwerereallygreater，thanshehadintimated，andshethereforebegantotalkofamatter，whichremindedthecountessoftheobjectofhervisit。
“IloveMichaud，madame，asyouknow。Well，howwouldyouliketo，have，inyourownhouse，arivalalwaysbesideyou？”
“Arival？”
“Yes，madame;thatswarthygirlyougavemetotakecareofloves，Michaudwithoutknowingit，poorthing！Thechild’sconduct，longa，mysterytome，hasbeenclearedupinmymindforsomedays。”
“Why，sheisonlythirteenyearsold！”
“Iknowthat，madame。Butyouwilladmitthatawomanwhoisthree，monthspregnantandmeanstonurseherchildherselfmayhavesome，fears;butasIdidnotwanttospeakofthisbeforethosegentlemen，Italkedagreatdealofnonsensewhenyouquestionedme，“saidthe，generouscreature，adroitly。
MadameMichaudwasnotreallyafraidofGenevieveNiseron，butforthe，lastthreedaysshewasinmortalterrorofsomedisasterfromthe，peasantry。
“Howdidyoudiscoverthis？”saidthecountess。
