Hulotcouldnotmeetit；helookeddowninconfusion。”Heknowseverything！”saidhetohimself。”Doesyourconsciencetellyounothing？”askedtheMarshal，inhisdeep，hollowtones。”Ittellsme，sir，thatIhavebeenwrong，nodoubt，inordering/razzias/inAlgeriawithoutreferringthemattertoyou。Atmyage，andwithmytastes，afterforty-fiveyearsofservice，Ihavenofortune——YouknowtheprinciplesofthefourhundredelectrepresentativesofFrance。Thosegentlemenareenviousofeverydistinction；theyhavepareddowneventheMinisters’pay——thatsayseverything！Askthemformoneyforanoldservant！——WhatcanyouexpectofmenwhopayawholeclasssobadlyastheypaytheGovernmentlegalofficials？——whogivethirtysousadaytothelaborersontheworksatToulon，whenitisaphysicalimpossibilitytolivethereandkeepafamilyonlessthanfortysous？——whoneverthinkoftheatrocityofgivingsalariesofsixhundredfrancs，uptoathousandortwelvehundredperhaps，toclerkslivinginParis；andwhowanttosecureourplacesforthemselvesassoonasthepayrisestofortythousand？——who，finally，refusetorestoretotheCrownapieceofCrownpropertyconfiscatedfromtheCrownin1830——propertyacquired，too，byLouisXVI。outofhisprivypurse！——Ifyouhadnoprivatefortune，Prince，youwouldbelefthighanddry，likemybrother，withyourpayandnotanothersou，andnothoughtofyourhavingsavedthearmy，andmewithit，intheboggyplainsofPoland。””YouhaverobbedtheState！YouhavemadeyourselfliabletobebroughtbeforethebenchatAssizes，”saidtheMarshal，”likethatclerkoftheTreasury！Andyoutakethis，monsieur，withsuchlevity。””Butthereisagreatdifference，monseigneur！”criedthebaron。”HaveIdippedmyhandsintoacashboxintrustedtomycare？””Whenamanofyourrankcommitssuchaninfamouscrime，”saidtheMarshal，”heisdoublyguiltyifhedoesitclumsily。Youhavecompromisedthehonorofourofficialadministration，whichhithertohasbeenthepurestinEurope！——Andallfortwohundredthousandfrancsandahussy！”saidtheMarshal，inaterriblevoice。”YouareaCouncillorofState——andaprivatesoldierwhosellsanythingbelongingtohisregimentispunishedwithdeath！HereisastorytoldtomeonedaybyColonelPourinoftheSecondLancers。AtSaverne，oneofhismenfellinlovewithalittleAlsatiangirlwhohadafancyforashawl。Thejadeteasedthispoordevilofalancersoeffectually，thatthoughhecouldshowtwentyyears’service，andwasabouttobepromotedtobequartermaster——theprideoftheregiment——
tobuythisshawlhesoldsomeofhiscompany’skit——Doyouknowwhatthislancerdid，Barond’Ervy？Heswallowedsomewindow-glassafterpoundingitdown，anddiedinelevenhours，ofanillness，inhospital——Try，ifyouplease，todieofapoplexy，thatwemaynotseeyoudishonored。”
Hulotlookedwithhaggardeyesattheoldwarrior；andthePrince，readingthelookwhichbetrayedthecoward，feltaflushrisetohischeeks；hiseyesflamed。”Willyou，sir，abandonme？”Hulotstammered。
MarshalHulot，hearingthatonlyhisbrotherwaswiththeMinister，venturedatthisjuncturetocomein，and，likealldeafpeople，wentstraightuptothePrince。”Oh，”criedtheheroofPoland，”Iknowwhatyouareherefor，myoldfriend！Butwecandonothing。””Donothing！”echoedMarshalHulot，whohadheardonlythelastword。”Nothing；youhavecometointercedeforyourbrother。Butdoyouknowwhatyourbrotheris？””Mybrother？”askedthedeafman。”Yes，heisadamnedinfernalblackguard，andunworthyofyou。”
TheMarshalinhisrageshotfromhiseyesthosefulminatingfireswhich，likeNapoleon’s，brokeaman’swillandjudgment。”Youlie，Cottin！”saidMarshalHulot，turningwhite。”ThrowdownyourbatonasIthrowmine！Iamready。”
ThePrincewentuptohisoldcomrade，lookedhimintheface，andshoutedinhisearashegraspedhishand：”Areyouaman？””YouwillseethatIam。””Well，then，pullyourselftogether！Youmustfacetheworstmisfortunethatcanbefallyou。”
ThePrinceturnedround，tooksomepapersfromthetable，andplacedthemintheMarshal’shands，saying，”Readthat。”
TheComtedeForzheimreadthefollowingletter，whichlayuppermost：——”TohisExcellencythePresidentoftheCouncil。”/PrivateandConfidential/。”ALGIERS。”MYDEARPRINCE，——Wehaveaveryuglybusinessonourhands，asyouwillseebytheaccompanyingdocuments。”Thestory，brieflytold，isthis：BaronHulotd’ErvysentouttotheprovinceofOrananuncleofhisasabrokeringrainandforage，andgavehimanaccompliceinthepersonofastorekeeper。
Thisstorekeeper，tocurryfavor，hasmadeaconfession，andfinallymadehisescape。ThePublicProsecutortookthematterupverythoroughly，seeing，ashesupposed，thatonlytwoinferioragentswereimplicated；butJohannFischer，uncletoyourChiefoftheCommissariatDepartment，findingthathewastobebroughtupattheAssizes，stabbedhimselfinprisonwithanail。”Thatwouldhavebeentheendofthematterifthisworthyandhonestman，deceived，itwouldseem，byhisagentandbyhisnephew，hadnotthoughtpropertowritetoBaronHulot。Thisletter，seizedasadocument，sogreatlysurprisedthePublicProsecutor，thathecametoseeme。Now，thearrestandpublictrialofaCouncillorofStatewouldbesuchaterriblething——ofamanhighinofficetoo，whohasagoodrecordforloyalservice——foraftertheBeresina，itwashewhosavedusallbyreorganizingtheadministration——thatIdesiredtohaveallthepaperssenttome。”Isthemattertotakeitscourse？Nowthattheprincipalagentisdead，willitnotbebettertosmotheruptheaffairandsentencethestorekeeperindefault？”ThePublicProsecutorhasconsentedtomyforwardingthedocumentsforyourperusal；theBaronHulotd’Ervy，beingresidentinParis，theproceedingswillliewithyourSupremeCourt。Wehavehitonthisrathershabbywayofriddingourselvesofthedifficultyforthemoment。”Only，mydearMarshal，decidequickly。Thismiserablebusinessistoomuchtalkedaboutalready，anditwilldoasmuchharmtousastoyouallifthenameoftheprincipalculprit——knownatpresentonlytothePublicProsecutor，theexaminingjudge，andmyself——shouldhappentoleakout。”
AtthispointtheletterfellfromMarshalHulot’shands；helookedathisbrother；hesawthattherewasnoneedtoexaminetheevidence。
ButhelookedforJohannFischer’sletter，andafterreadingitataglance，helditouttoHector：——”FROMTHEPRISONATORAN。”DEARNEPHEW，——Whenyoureadthisletter，Ishallhaveceasedtolive。”Bequiteeasy，noproofcanbefoundtoincriminateyou。WhenI
amdeadandyourJesuitofaChardinfled，thetrialmustcollapse。ThefaceofourAdeline，madesohappybyyou，makesdeatheasytome。Nowyouneednotsendthetwohundredthousandfrancs。Good-bye。”ThisletterwillbedeliveredbyaprisonerforashorttermwhomIcantrust，Ibelieve。”JOHANNFISCHER。””Ibegyourpardon，”saidMarshalHulottothePrincedeWissembourgwithpatheticpride。”Come，come，say/tu/，nottheformal/vous/，”repliedtheMinister，claspinghisoldfriend’shand。”Thepoorlancerkillednoonebuthimself，”headded，withathunderouslookatHulotd’Ervy。”Howmuchhaveyouhad？”saidtheComtedeForzheimtohisbrother。”Twohundredthousandfrancs。””Mydearfriend，”saidtheCount，addressingtheMinister，”youshallhavethetwohundredthousandfrancswithinforty-eighthours。ItshallneverbesaidthatamanbearingthenameofHulothaswrongedthepublictreasuryofasinglesou。””Whatnonsense！”saidthePrince。”Iknowwherethemoneyis，andI
cangetitback——Sendinyourresignationandaskforyourpension！”
hewenton，sendingadoublesheetoffoolscapflyingacrosstowheretheCouncillorofStatehadsatdownbythetable，forhislegsgavewayunderhim。”Tobringyoutotrialwoulddisgraceusall。IhavealreadyobtainedfromthesuperiorBoardtheirsanctiontothislineofaction。Sinceyoucanacceptlifewithdishonor——inmyopinionthelastdegradation——youwillgetthepensionyouhaveearned。Onlytakecaretobeforgotten。”
TheMinisterrang。”IsMarneffe，thehead-clerk，outthere？””Yes，monseigneur。””Showhimin！””You，”saidtheMinisterasMarneffecamein，”youandyourwifehavewittinglyandintentionallyruinedtheBarond’Ervywhomyousee。””MonsieurleMinistre，Ibegyourpardon。Weareverypoor。Ihavenothingtoliveonbutmypay，andIhavetwochildren，andtheonethatiscomingwillhavebeenbroughtintothefamilybyMonsieurleBaron。””Whatavillainhelooks！”saidthePrince，pointingtoMarneffeandaddressingMarshalHulot——”NomoreofSganarellespeeches，”hewenton；”youwilldisgorgetwohundredthousandfrancs，orbepackedofftoAlgiers。””But，MonsieurleMinistre，youdonotknowmywife。Shehasspentitall。MonsieurleBaronaskedsixpersonstodinnereveryevening——
Fiftythousandfrancsayeararespentinmyhouse。””Leavetheroom！”saidtheMinister，intheformidabletonesthathadgiventhewordtochargeinbattle。”Youwillhavenoticeofyourtransferwithintwohours。Go！””Iprefertosendinmyresignation，”saidMarneffeinsolently。”ForitistoomuchtobewhatIamalready，andthrashedintothebargain。
Thatwouldnotsatisfymeatall。”
Andhelefttheroom。”Whatanimpudentscoundrel！”saidthePrince。
MarshalHulot，whohadstoodupthroughoutthisscene，aspaleasacorpse，studyinghisbrotheroutofthecornerofhiseye，wentuptothePrince，andtookhishand，repeating：”Inforty-eighthoursthepecuniarymischiefshallberepaired；buthonor！——Good-bye，Marshal。Itisthelastshotthatkills。Yes，I
shalldieofit！”hesaidinhisear。”Whatthedevilbroughtyouherethismorning？”saidthePrince，muchmoved。”Icametoseewhatcanbedoneforhiswife，”repliedtheCount，pointingtohisbrother。”Sheiswantingbread——especiallynow！””Hehashispension。””Itispledged！””TheDevilmustpossesssuchaman，”saidthePrince，withashrug。”Whatphiltredothosebaggagesgiveyoutorobyouofyourwits？”hewentontoHulotd’Ervy。”Howcouldyou——you，whoknowtheprecisedetailswithwhichinFrenchofficeseverythingiswrittendownatfulllength，consumingreamsofpapertocertifytothereceiptoroutlayofafewcentimes——you，whohavesooftencomplainedthatahundredsignaturesareneededforameretrifle，todischargeasoldier，tobuyacurry-comb——howcouldyouhopetoconcealatheftforanylengthoftime？Tosaynothingofthenewspapers，andtheenvious，andthepeoplewhowouldliketosteal！——thosewomenmustrobyouofyourcommon-sense！Dotheycoveryoureyeswithwalnut-shells？
orareyouyourselfmadeofdifferentstufffromus？——Yououghttohavelefttheofficeassoonasyoufoundthatyouwerenolongeraman，butatemperament。Ifyouhavecomplicatedyourcrimewithsuchgrossfolly，youwillend——Iwillnotsaywhere——””Promiseme，Cottin，thatyouwilldowhatyoucanforher，”saidtheMarshal，whoheardnothing，andwasstillthinkingofhissister-in-
law。”Dependonme，！”saidtheMinister。”Thankyou，andgood-byethen！——Come，monsieur，”hesaidtohisbrother。
ThePrincelookedwithapparentcalmnessatthetwobrothers，sodifferentintheirdemeanor，conduct，andcharacter——thebravemanandthecoward，theasceticandtheprofligate，thehonestmanandthepeculator——andhesaidtohimself：”Thatmeancreaturewillnothavecouragetodie！AndmypoorHulot，suchanhonestfellow！hasdeathinhisknapsack，Iknow！”
HesatdownagaininhisbigchairandwentonreadingthedespatchesfromAfricawithalookcharacteristicatonceofthecoolnessofaleaderandofthepityrousedbythesightofabattle-field！Forinrealitynooneissohumaneasasoldier，sternashemayseemintheicydeterminationacquiredbythehabitoffighting，andsoabsolutelyessentialinthebattle-field。
Nextmorningsomeofthenewspaperscontained，undervariousheadings，thefollowingparagraphs：——”MonsieurleBaronHulotd’Ervyhasappliedforhisretiringpension。TheunsatisfactorystateoftheAlgerianexchequer，whichhascomeoutinconsequenceofthedeathanddisappearanceoftwoemployes，hashadsomeshareinthisdistinguishedofficial’sdecision。Onhearingofthedelinquenciesoftheagentswhomhehadunfortunatelytrusted，MonsieurleBaronHulothadaparalyticstrokeintheWarMinister’sprivateroom。”MonsieurHulotd’Ervy，brothertotheMarshalComtedeForzheim，hasbeenforty-fiveyearsintheservice。Hisdeterminationhasbeenvainlyopposed，andisgreatlyregrettedbyallwhoknowMonsieurHulot，whoseprivatevirtuesareasconspicuousashisadministrativecapacity。NoonecanhaveforgottenthedevotedconductoftheCommissaryGeneraloftheImperialGuardatWarsaw，orthemarvelouspromptitudewithwhichheorganizedsuppliesforthevarioussectionsofthearmysosuddenlyrequiredbyNapoleonin1815。”OnemoreoftheheroesoftheEmpireisretiringfromthestage。
MonsieurleBaronHulothasneverceased，since1830，tobeoneoftheguidinglightsoftheStateCouncilandoftheWarOffice。””ALGIERS——Thecaseknownastheforagesupplycase，towhichsomeofourcontemporarieshavegivenabsurdprominence，hasbeenclosedbythedeathofthechiefculprit。JohannWischhascommittedsuicideinhiscell；hisaccomplice，whohadabsconded，willbesentencedindefault。”Wisch，formerlyanarmycontractor，wasanhonestmanandhighlyrespected，whocouldnotsurvivetheideaofhavingbeenthedupeofChardin，thestorekeeperwhohasdisappeared。”
Andinthe/ParisNews/thefollowingparagraphappeared：”MonsieurleMarechaltheMinisterofWar，topreventtherecurrenceofsuchscandalsforthefuture，hasarrangedforaregularCommissariatofficeinAfrica。Ahead-clerkintheWarOffice，MonsieurMarneffe，isspokenofaslikelytobeappointedtothepostofdirector。””TheofficevacatedbyBaronHulotistheobjectofmuchambition。
Theappointmentispromised，itissaid，toMonsieurleComteMartialdelaRoche-Hugon，Deputy，brother-in-lawtoMonsieurleComtedeRastignac。MonsieurMassol，MasterofAppeals，willfillhisseatontheCouncilofState，andMonsieurClaudeVignonbecomesMasterofAppeals。”
Ofallkindsoffalsegossip，themostdangerousfortheOppositionnewspapersistheofficialbogusparagraph。Howeverkeenjournalistsmaybe，theyaresometimesthevoluntaryorinvoluntarydupesoftheclevernessofthosewhohaverisenfromtheranksofthePress，likeClaudeVignon，tothehigherrealmsofpower。Thenewspapercanonlybecircumventedbythejournalist。Itmaybesaid，asaparodyonalinebyVoltaire：”TheParisnewsisneverwhatthefoolishfolkbelieve。”
MarshalHulotdrovehomewithhisbrother，whotookthefrontseat，respectfullyleavingthewholeofthebackofthecarriagetohissenior。Thetwomenspokenotaword。Hectorwashelpless。TheMarshalwaslostinthought，likeamanwhoiscollectingallhisstrength，andbracinghimselftobearacrushingweight。Onarrivingathisownhouse，stillwithoutspeaking，butbyanimperiousgesture，hebeckonedhisbrotherintohisstudy。TheCounthadreceivedfromtheEmperorNapoleonasplendidpairofpistolsfromtheVersaillesfactory；hetookthebox，withitsinscription。”/GivenbytheEmperorNapoleontoGeneralHulot/，”outofhisdesk，andplacingitonthetop，heshowedittohisbrother，saying，”Thereisyourremedy。”
Lisbeth，peepingthroughthechinkofthedoor，flewdowntothecarriageandorderedthecoachmantogoasfastashecouldgalloptotheRuePlumet。WithinabouttwentyminutesshehadbroughtbackAdeline，whomshehadtoldoftheMarshal’sthreattohisbrother。
TheMarshal，withoutlookingatHector，rangthebellforhisfactotum，theoldsoldierwhohadservedhimforthirtyyears。”Beau-Pied，”saidhe，”fetchmynotary，andCountSteinbock，andmynieceHortense，andthestockbrokertotheTreasury。Itisnowhalf-
pastten；theymustallbeherebytwelve。Takehackneycabs——andgofasterthan/that/！”headded，arepublicanallusionwhichinpastdayshadbeenoftenonhislips。AndheputonthescowlthathadbroughthissoldierstoattentionwhenhewasbeatingthebroomontheheathsofBrittanyin1799。(See/LesChouans/。)”Youshallbeobeyed，Marechal，”saidBeau-Pied，withamilitarysalute。
Stillpayingnoheedtohisbrother，theoldmancamebackintohisstudy，tookakeyoutofhisdesk，andopenedalittlemalachiteboxmountedinsteel，thegiftoftheEmperorAlexander。
ByNapoleon’sordershehadgonetorestoretotheRussianEmperortheprivatepropertyseizedatthebattleofDresden，inexchangeforwhichNapoleonhopedtogetbackVandamme。TheCzarrewardedGeneralHulotveryhandsomely，givinghimthiscasket，andsayingthathehopedonedaytoshowthesamecourtesytotheEmperoroftheFrench；
buthekeptVandamme。TheImperialarmsofRussiaweredisplayedingoldonthelidofthebox，whichwasinlaidwithgold。
TheMarshalcountedthebank-notesitcontained；hehadahundredandfifty-twothousandfrancs。Hesawthiswithsatisfaction。AtthesamemomentMadameHulotcameintotheroominastatetotouchtheheartofthesternestjudge。SheflewintoHector’sarms，lookingalternatelywithacrazyeyeattheMarshalandatthecaseofpistols。”Whathaveyoutosayagainstyourbrother？Whathasmyhusbanddonetoyou？”saidshe，insuchavoicethattheMarshalheardher。”Hehasdisgracedusall！”repliedtheRepublicanveteran，whospokewithavehemencethatreopenedoneofhisoldwounds。”HehasrobbedtheGovernment！Hehascastodiumonmyname，hemakesmewishIweredead——hehaskilledme！——Ihaveonlystrengthenoughlefttomakerestitution！”IhavebeenabasedbeforetheCondeoftheRepublic，themanIesteemaboveallothers，andtowhomIunjustifiablygavethelie——thePrinceofWissembourg！——Isthatnothing？Thatisthescorehiscountryhasagainsthim！”
Hewipedawayatear。”Now，astohisfamily，”hewenton。”HeisrobbingyouofthebreadI
hadsavedforyou，thefruitofthirtyyears’economy，oftheprivationsofanoldsoldier！Hereiswhatwasintendedforyou，”andheheldupthebank-notes。”HehaskilledhisUncleFischer，anobleandworthysonofAlsacewhocouldnot——ashecan——endurethethoughtofastainonhispeasant’shonor。”Tocrownall，God，inHisadorableclemency，hadallowedhimtochooseanangelamongwomen；hehashadtheunspeakablehappinessofhavinganAdelineforhiswife！Andhehasdeceivedher，hehassoakedherinsorrows，hehasneglectedherforprostitutes，forstreet-
hussies，forballet-girls，actresses——Cadine，Josepha，Marneffe！——AndthatisthebrotherItreatedasasonandmademypride！”Go，wretchedman；ifyoucanacceptthelifeofdegradationyouhavemadeforyourself，leavemyhouse！IhavenotthehearttocurseabrotherIhavelovedsowell——Iamasfoolishabouthimasyouare，Adeline——butneverletmeseehimagain。Iforbidhisattendingmyfuneralorfollowingmetothegrave。Lethimshowthedecencyofacriminalifhecanfeelnoremorse。”
TheMarshal，aspaleasdeath，fellbackonthesettee，exhaustedbyhissolemnspeech。And，forthefirsttimeinhislifeperhaps，tearsgatheredinhiseyesandrolleddownhischeeks。”Mypooruncle！”criedLisbeth，puttingahandkerchieftohereyes。”Brother！”saidAdeline，kneelingdownbytheMarshal，”liveformysake。HelpmeinthetaskofreconcilingHectortotheworldandmakinghimredeemthepast。””He！”criedtheMarshal。”Ifhelives，heisnotattheendofhiscrimes。AmanwhohasmisprizedanAdeline，whohassmotheredinhisownsoulthefeelingsofatrueRepublicanwhichItriedtoinstillintohim，theloveofhiscountry，ofhisfamily，andofthepoor——
thatmanisamonster，aswine！——Takehimawayifyoustillcareforhim，foravoicewithinmecriestometoloadmypistolsandblowhisbrainsout。BykillinghimIshouldsaveyouall，andIshouldsavehimtoofromhimself。”
TheoldmanstartedtohisfeetwithsuchaterrifyinggesturethatpoorAdelineexclaimed：”Hector——come！”
Sheseizedherhusband’sarm，draggedhimaway，andoutofthehouse；
buttheBaronwassobrokendown，thatshewasobligedtocallacoachtotakehimtotheRuePlumet，wherehewenttobed。Themanremainedthereforseveraldaysinasortofhalf-dissolution，refusingallnourishmentwithoutaword。Byfloodsoftears，Adelinepersuadedhimtoswallowalittlebroth；shenursedhim，sittingbyhisbed，andfeelingonly，ofalltheemotionsthatoncehadfilledherheart，thedeepestpityforhim。
Athalf-pasttwelve，LisbethshowedintoherdearMarshal’sroom——forshewouldnotleavehim，somuchwasshealarmedattheevidentchangeinhim——CountSteinbockandthenotary。”MonsieurleComte，”saidtheMarshal，”Iwouldbegyoutobesogoodastoputyoursignaturetoadocumentauthorizingmyniece，yourwife，tosellabondforcertainfundsofwhichsheatpresentholdsonlythereversion——You，MademoiselleFischer，willagreetothissale，thuslosingyourlifeinterestinthesecurities。””Yes，dearCount，”saidLisbethwithouthesitation。”Good，mydear，”saidtheoldsoldier。”IhopeImaylivetorewardyou。ButIdidnotdoubtyou；youareatrueRepublican，adaughterofthepeople。”Hetooktheoldmaid’shandandkissedit。”MonsieurHannequin，”hewenton，speakingtothenotary，”drawupthenecessarydocumentintheformofapowerofattorney，andletmehaveitwithintwohours，sothatImaysellthestockontheBourseto-day。Myniece，theCountess，holdsthesecurity；shewillbeheretosignthepowerofattorneywhenyoubringit，andsowillmademoiselle。MonsieurleComtewillbegoodenoughtogowithyouandsignitatyouroffice。”
Theartist，atanodfromLisbeth，bowedrespectfullytotheMarshalandwentaway。
Nextmorning，atteno’clock，theComtedeForzheimsentintoannouncehimselftothePrince，andwasatonceadmitted。”Well，mydearHulot，”saidthePrince，holdingoutthenewspaperstohisoldfriend，”wehavesavedappearances，yousee——Read。”
MarshalHulotlaidthepapersonhiscomrade’stable，andheldouttohimthetwohundredthousandfrancs。”HereisthemoneyofwhichmybrotherrobbedtheState，”saidhe。”Whatmadness！”criedtheMinister。”Itisimpossible，”hesaidintothespeaking-trumpethandedtohimbytheMarshal，”tomanagethisrestitution。Weshouldbeobligedtodeclareyourbrother’sdishonestdealings，andwehavedoneeverythingtohidethem。””Dowhatyoulikewiththemoney；butthefamilyshallnotoweonesouofitsfortunetoarobberyonthefundsoftheState，”saidtheCount。”IwilltaketheKing’scommandsinthematter。Wewilldiscussitnofurther，”repliedthePrince，perceivingthatitwouldbeimpossibletoconquertheoldman’ssublimeobstinacyonthepoint。”Good-bye，Cottin，”saidtheoldsoldier，takingthePrince’shand。”I
feelasifmysoulwerefrozen——”
Then，aftergoingasteptowardsthedoor，heturnedround，lookedatthePrince，andseeingthathewasdeeplymoved，heopenedhisarmstoclasphiminthem；thetwooldsoldiersembracedeachother。”IfeelasifIweretakingleaveofthewholeoftheoldarmyinyou，”saidtheCount。”Good-bye，mygoodoldcomrade！”saidtheMinister。”Yes，itisgood-bye；forIamgoingwhereallourbravemenareforwhomwehavemourned——”
JustthenClaudeVignonwasshownin。ThetworelicsoftheNapoleonicphalanxbowedgravelytoeachother，effacingeverytraceofemotion。”Youhave，Ihope，beensatisfiedbythepapers，”saidtheMasterofAppeals-elect。”IcontrivedtolettheOppositionpapersbelievethattheywerelettingoutoursecrets。””Unfortunately，itisallinvain，”repliedtheMinister，watchingHulotashelefttheroom。”Ihavejustgonethroughaleave-takingthathasbeenagreatgrieftome。For，indeed，MarshalHulothasnotthreedaystolive；Isawthatplainlyenoughyesterday。Thatman，oneofthosehonestsoulsthatareaboveproof，asoldierrespectedbythebulletsinspiteofhisvalor，receivedhisdeath-blow——there，inthatarmchair——anddealtbymyhand，inaletter！——Ringandordermycarriage。ImustgotoNeuilly，”saidhe，puttingthetwohundredthousandfrancsintohisofficialportfolio。
NotwithstandingLisbeth’snursing，MarshalHulotthreedayslaterwasadeadman。Suchmenarethegloryofthepartytheysupport。ToRepublicans，theMarshalwastheidealofpatriotism；andtheyallattendedhisfuneral，whichwasfollowedbyanimmensecrowd。Thearmy，theStateofficials，theCourt，andthepopulaceallcametodohomagetothisloftyvirtue，thisspotlesshonesty，thisimmaculateglory。Suchalasttributeofthepeopleisnotathingtobehadfortheasking。
Thisfuneralwasdistinguishedbyoneofthosetributesofdelicatefeeling，ofgoodtaste，andsincererespectwhichfromtimetotimeremindusofthevirtuesanddignityoftheoldFrenchnobility。
FollowingtheMarshal’sbiercametheoldMarquisdeMontauran，thebrotherofhimwho，inthegreatrisingoftheChouansin1799，hadbeenthefoe，thelucklessfoe，ofHulot。ThatMarquis，killedbytheballsofthe”Blues，”hadconfidedtheinterestsofhisyoungbrothertotheRepublicansoldier。(See/LesChouans/。)HulothadsofaithfullyactedonthenobleRoyalist’sverbalwill，thathesucceededinsavingtheyoungman’sestates，thoughhehimselfwasatthetimeanemigre。AndsothehomageoftheoldFrenchnobilitywasnotwantingtotheleaderwho，nineyearssince，hadconqueredMADAME。
Thisdeath，happeningjustfourdaysbeforethebannswerecriedforthelasttime，cameuponLisbethlikethethunderboltthatburnsthegarneredharvestwiththebarn。ThepeasantofLorraine，asoftenhappens，hadsucceededtoowell。TheMarshalhaddiedoftheblowsdealttothefamilybyherselfandMadameMarneffe。
Theoldmaid’svindictiveness，whichsuccessseemedtohavesomewhatmollified，wasaggravatedbythisdisappointmentofherhopes。Lisbethwent，cryingwithrage，toMadameMarneffe；forshewashomeless，theMarshalhavingagreedthathisleasewasatanytimetoterminatewithhislife。Crevel，toconsoleValerie’sfriend，tookchargeofhersavings，addedtothemconsiderably，andinvestedthecapitalinfivepercents，givingherthelifeinterest，andputtingthesecuritiesintoCelestine’sname。Thankstothisstrokeofbusiness，Lisbethhadanincomeofabouttwothousandfrancs。
WhentheMarshal’spropertywasexaminedandvalued，anotewasfound，addressedtohissister-in-law，tohisnieceHortense，andtohisnephewVictorin，desiringthattheywouldpayamongthemanannuityoftwelvehundredfrancstoMademoiselleLisbethFischer，whowastohavebeenhiswife。
Adeline，seeingherhusbandbetweenlifeanddeath，succeededforsomedaysinhidingfromhimthefactofhisbrother’sdeath；butLisbethcame，inmourning，andtheterribletruthwastoldhimelevendaysafterthefuneral。
Thecrushingblowrevivedthesickman’senergies。Hegotup，foundhisfamilycollectedinthedrawing-room，allinblack，andsuddenlysilentashecamein。Inafortnight，Hulot，asleanasaspectre，lookedtohisfamilythemereshadowofhimself。”Imustdecideonsomething，”saidheinahuskyvoice，asheseatedhimselfinaneasy-chair，andlookedroundattheparty，ofwhomCrevelandSteinbockwereabsent。”Wecannotstayhere，therentistoohigh，”Hortensewassayingjustasherfathercamein。”Astoahome，”saidVictorin，breakingthepainfulsilence，”Icanoffermymother——”
Asheheardthesewords，whichexcludedhim，theBaronraisedhishead，whichwassunkonhisbreastasthoughhewerestudyingthepatternofthecarpet，thoughhedidnotevenseeit，andhegavetheyounglawyeranappealinglook。Therightsofafatheraresoindefeasiblysacred，evenwhenheisavillainanddevoidofhonor，thatVictorinpaused。”Toyourmother，”theBaronrepeated。”Youareright，myson。””Theroomsoveroursinourwing，”saidCelestine，finishingherhusband’ssentence。”Iaminyourway，mydears？”saidtheBaron，withthemildnessofamanwhohasjudgedhimself。”Butdonotbeuneasyastothefuture；
youwillhavenofurthercauseforcomplaintofyourfather；youwillnotseehimtillthetimewhenyouneednolongerblushforhim。”
HewentuptoHortenseandkissedherbrow。Heopenedhisarmstohisson，whorushedintohisembrace，guessinghisfather’spurpose。TheBaronsignedtoLisbeth，whocametohim，andhekissedherforehead。
Thenhewenttohisroom，whitherAdelinefollowedhiminanagonyofdread。”Mybrotherwasquiteright，Adeline，”hesaid，holdingherhand。”I
amunworthyofmyhomelife。Idarednotblessmychildren，whohavebehavedsonobly，butinmyheart；tellthemthatIcouldonlyventuretokissthem；fortheblessingofabadman，afatherwhohasbeenanassassinandthescourgeofhisfamilyinsteadofitsprotectoranditsglory，mightbringevilonthem；butassurethemthatIshallblessthemeveryday——Astoyou，Godalone，forHeisAlmighty，caneverrewardyouaccordingtoyourmerits！——Icanonlyaskyourforgiveness！”andhekneltatherfeet，takingherhandsandwettingthemwithhistears。”Hector，Hector！Yoursinshavebeengreat，butDivineMercyisinfinite，andyoumayrepairallbystayingwithme——RiseupinChristiancharity，mydear——Iamyourwife，andnotyourjudge。Iamyourpossession；dowhatyouwillwithme；takemewhereveryougo，I
feelstrongenoughcomfortyou，tomakelifeendurabletoyou，bythestrengthofmylove，mycare，andrespect——Ourchildrenaresettledinlife；theyneedmenomore。Letmetrytobeanamusementtoyou，anoccupation。Letmesharethepainofyourbanishmentandofyourpoverty，andhelptomitigateit。Icouldalwaysbeofsomeuse，ifitwereonlytosavetheexpenseofaservant。””Canyouforgive，mydearly-belovedAdeline？””Yes，onlygetup，mydear！””Well，withthatforgivenessIcanlive，”saidhe，risingtohisfeet。”Icamebackintothisroomthatmychildrenshouldnotseetheirfather’shumiliation。Oh！thesightconstantlybeforetheireyesofafathersoguiltyasIamisaterriblething；itmustundermineparentalinfluenceandbreakeveryfamilytie。SoIcannotremainamongyou，andImustgotospareyoutheodiousspectacleofafatherbereftofdignity。DonotopposemydepartureAdeline。Itwouldonlybetoloadwithyourownhandthepistoltoblowmybrainsout。Aboveall，donotseekmeinmyhiding-place；youwoulddeprivemeoftheonlystrongmotiveremaininginme，thatofremorse。”
Hector’sdecisivenesssilencedhisdejectedwife。Adeline，loftyinthemidstofallthisruin，hadderivedhercouragefromherperfectunionwithherhusband；forshehaddreamedofhavinghimforherown，ofthebeautifultaskofcomfortinghim，ofleadinghimbacktofamilylife，andreconcilinghimtohimself。”But，Hector，wouldyouleavemetodieofdespair，anxiety，andalarms！”saidshe，seeingherselfbereftofthemainspringofherstrength。”Iwillcomebacktoyou，dearangel——sentfromHeavenexpresslyforme，Ibelieve。Iwillcomeback，ifnotrich，atleastwithenoughtoliveinease——Listen，mysweetAdeline，Icannotstayhereformanyreasons。Inthefirstplace，mypensionofsixthousandfrancsispledgedforfouryears，soIhavenothing。Thatisnotall。IshallbecommittedtoprisonwithinafewdaysinconsequenceofthebillsheldbyVauvinet。SoImustkeepoutofthewayuntilmyson，towhomI
willgivefullinstructions，shallhaveboughtinthebills。Mydisappearancewillfacilitatethat。Assoonasmypensionismyown，andVauvinetispaidoff，Iwillreturntoyou——Youwouldbesuretoletoutthesecretofmyhiding-place。Becalm；donotcry，Adeline——
itisonlyforamonth——””Wherewillyougo？Whatwillyoudo？Whatwillbecomeofyou？Whowilltakecareofyounowthatyouarenolongeryoung？Letmegowithyou——wewillgoabroad——”saidshe。”Well，well，wewillsee，”hereplied。
TheBaronrangandorderedMariettetocollectallhisthingsandpackthemquicklyandsecretly。Then，afterembracinghiswifewithawarmthofaffectiontowhichshewasunaccustomed，hebeggedhertoleavehimaloneforafewminuteswhilehewrotehisinstructionsforVictorin，promisingthathewouldnotleavethehousetilldark，orwithouther。
AssoonastheBaronesswasinthedrawing-room，thecunningoldmanstoleoutthroughthedressing-closettotheanteroom，andwentaway，givingMarietteaslipofpaper，onwhichwaswritten，”AddressmytrunkstogobyrailwaytoCorbeil——toMonsieurHector，cloak-room，Corbeil。”
TheBaronjumpedintoahackneycoach，andwasrushingacrossParisbythetimeMariettecametogivetheBaronessthisnote，andsaythathermasterhadgoneout。Adelineflewbackintoherroom，tremblingmoreviolentlythanever；herchildrenfollowedonhearinghergiveapiercingcry。Theyfoundherinadeadfaint；andtheyputhertobed，forshewasseizedbyanervousfeverwhichheldherforamonthbetweenlifeanddeath。”Whereishe？”wastheonlythingshewouldsay。
Victorinsoughtforhiminvain。
Andthisiswhy。TheBaronhaddriventothePlaceduPalaisRoyal。
Therethisman，whohadrecoveredallhiswitstoworkoutaschemewhichhehadpremeditatedduringthedayshehadspentcrushedwithpainandgrief，crossedthePalaisRoyalonfoot，andtookahandsomecarriagefromalivery-stableintheRueJoquelet。Inobediencetohisorders，thecoachmanwenttotheRuedelaVillel’Eveque，andintothecourtyardofJosepha’smansion，thegatesopeningatonceatthecallofthedriverofsuchasplendidvehicle。Josephacameout，promptedbycuriosity，forherman-servanthadtoldherthatahelplessoldgentleman，unabletogetoutofhiscarriage，beggedhertocometohimforamoment。”Josepha！——itisI——”
ThesingerrecognizedherHulotonlybyhisvoice。”What？you，pooroldman？——Onmyhonor，youlooklikeatwenty-francpiecethattheJewshavesweatedandthemoney-changersrefuse。””Alas，yes，”repliedHulot；”Iamsnatchedfromthejawsofdeath！Butyouareaslovelyasever。Willyoubekind？””Thatdepends，”saidshe；”everythingisrelative。””Listen，”saidHulot；”canyouputmeupforafewdaysinaservant’sroomundertheroof？Ihavenothing——notafarthing，notahope；nofood，nopension，nowife，nochildren，noroofovermyhead；withouthonor，withoutcourage，withoutafriend；andworsethanallthat，liabletoimprisonmentfornotmeetingabill。””Pooroldfellow！youarewithoutmostthings——Areyoualso/sansculotte/？””Youlaughatme！Iamdonefor，”criedtheBaron。”AndIcountedonyouasGourvilledidonNinon。””Anditwasa’reallady，’Iamtoldwhobroughtyoutothis，”saidJosepha。”Thosepreciousslutsknowhowtopluckagooseevenbetterthanwedo！——Why，youarelikeacorpsethatthecrowshavedonewith——Icanseedaylightthrough！””Timeisshort，Josepha！””Comein，oldboy，Iamalone，asithappens，andmypeopledon’tknowyou。Sendawayyourtrap。Isitpaidfor？””Yes，”saidtheBaron，gettingoutwiththehelpofJosepha’sarm。”Youmaycallyourselfmyfatherifyoulike，”saidthesinger，movedtopity。
ShemadeHulotsitdowninthesplendiddrawing-roomwherehehadlastseenher。”Andisitthefact，oldman，”shewenton，”thatyouhavekilledyourbrotherandyouruncle，ruinedyourfamily，mortgagedyourchildren’shouseoverandoveragain，androbbedtheGovernmenttillinAfrica，allforyourprincess？”
Hulotsadlybenthishead。”Well，Iadmirethat！”criedJosepha，startingupinherenthusiasm。”Itisageneralflare-up！ItisSardanapalus！Splendid，thoroughlycomplete！Imaybeahussy，butIhaveasoul！Itellyou，Ilikeaspendthrift，likeyou，crazyoverawoman，athousandtimesbetterthanthosetorpid，heartlessbankers，whoaresupposedtobesogood，andwhoruinnoendoffamilieswiththeirrails——goldforthem，andironfortheirgulls！Youhaveonlyruinedthosewhobelongtoyou，youhavesoldnoonebutyourself；andthenyouhaveexcuses，physicalandmoral。”
Shestruckatragicattitude，andspouted：”’TisVenuswhosegraspneverpartsfromherprey。
Andthereyouare！”andshepirouettedonhertoe。
Vice，Hulotfound，couldforgivehim；vicesmiledonhimfromthemidstofunbridledluxury。Here，asbeforeajury，themagnitudeofacrimewasanextenuatingcircumstance。”Andisyourladyprettyatanyrate？”askedJosepha，tryingasapreliminaryactofcharity，todivertHulot’sthoughts，forhisdepressiongrievedher。”Onmyword，almostasprettyasyouare，”saidtheBaronartfully。”Andmonstrouslydroll？SoIhavebeentold。Whatdoesshedo，Isay？
IsshebetterfunthanIam？””Idon’twanttotalkabouther，”saidHulot。”AndIhearshehascomeroundmyCrevel，andlittleSteinbock，andagorgeousBrazilian？””Verylikely。””Andthatshehasgotahouseasgoodasthis，thatCrevelhasgivenher。Thebaggage！Sheismyprovost-marshal，andfinishesoffthoseI
havespoiled。ItellyouwhyIamsocurioustoknowwhatsheislike，oldboy；IjustcaughtsightofherintheBois，inanopencarriage——
butalongwayoff。Sheisamostaccomplishedharpy，Carabinesays。
SheistryingtoeatupCrevel，butheonlyletshernibble。Crevelisaknowinghand，good-naturedbuthard-headed，whowillalwayssayYes，andthengohisownway。Heisvainandpassionate；buthiscashiscold。Youcannevergetanythingoutofsuchfellowsbeyondathousandtothreethousandfrancsamonth；theyjibatanyseriousoutlay，asadonkeydoesatarunningstream。”Notlikeyou，oldboy。Youareamanofpassions；youwouldsellyourcountryforawoman。And，lookhere，Iamreadytodoanythingforyou！Youaremyfather；youstartedmeinlife；itisasacredduty。
Whatdoyouwant？Doyouwantahundredthousandfrancs？Iwillwearmyselftoaragtogainthem。Astogivingyoubedandboard——thatisnothing。Aplacewillbelaidforyouhereeveryday；youcanhaveagoodroomonthesecondfloor，andahundredcrownsamonthforpocket-money。”
TheBaron，deeplytouchedbysuchawelcome，hadalastqualmofhonor。”No，mydearchild，no；Ididnotcomehereforyoutokeepme，”saidhe。”Atyourageitissomethingtobeproudof，”saidshe。”ThisiswhatIwish，mychild。YourDucd’HerouvillehasimmenseestatesinNormandy，andIwanttobehissteward，underthenameofThoul。Ihavethecapacity，andIamhonest。AmanmayborrowoftheGovernment，andyetnotstealfromacash-box——””H’m，h’m，”saidJosepha。”Oncedrunk，drinksagain。””Inshort，Ionlywanttoliveoutofsightforthreeyears——””Well，itissoondone，”saidJosepha。”Thisevening，afterdinner，I
haveonlytospeak。TheDukewouldmarrymeifIwishedit，butIhavehisfortune，andIwantsomethingbetter——hisesteem。HeisaDukeofthefirstwater。Heishigh-minded，asnobleandgreatasLouisXIV。
andNapoleonrolledintoone，thoughheisadwarf。Besides，IhavedoneforhimwhatlaSchontzdidforRochefide；bytakingmyadvicehehasmadetwomillions。”Now，listentome，oldpopgun。Iknowyou；youarealwaysafterthewomen，andyouwouldbedancingattendanceontheNormandygirls，whoaresplendidcreatures，andgettingyourribscrackedbytheirloversandfathers，andtheDukewouldhavetogetyououtofthescrape。
Why，can’tIseebythewayyoulookatmethatthe/young/manisnotdeadinyou——asFenelonputit——No，thisstewardshipisnotthethingforyou。AmancannotbeoffwithhisParisandwithus，oldboy，forthesaying！YouwoulddieofwearinessatHerouville。””Whatistobecomeofme？”saidtheBaron，”forIwillonlystayheretillIseemyway。””Well，shallIfindapigeon-holeforyou？Listen，youoldpirate。
Womenarewhatyouwant。Theyareconsolationinallcircumstances。
Attendnow——AttheendoftheAlley，RueSaint-Maur-du-Temple，thereisapoorfamilyIknowofwherethereisajewelofalittlegirl，prettierthanIwasatsixteen——Ah！thereisatwinkleinyoureyealready！——Thechildworkssixteenhoursadayatembroideringcostlypiecesforthesilkmerchants，andearnssixteensousaday——onesouanhour！——andfeedsliketheIrish，onpotatoesfriedinrats’
dripping，withbreadfivetimesaweek——anddrinkscanalwateroutofthetownpipes，becausetheSeinewatercoststoomuch；andshecannotsetuponherownaccountforlackofsixorseventhousandfrancs。
Yourwifeandchildrenboreyoutodeath，don’tthey？——Besides，onecannotsubmittobenobodywhereonehasbeenalittleAlmighty。A
fatherwhohasneithermoneynorhonorcanonlybestuffedandkeptinaglasscase。”
TheBaroncouldnothelpsmilingattheseabominablejests。”Well，now，Bijouistocometo-morrowmorningtobringmeanembroideredwrapper，agem！Ithastakensixmonthstomake；nooneelsewillhaveanystufflikeit！Bijouisveryfondofme；Igivehertidbitsandmyoldgowns。AndIsendordersforbreadandmeatandwoodtothefamily，whowouldbreaktheshin-bonesofthefirstcomerifIbidthem——Itrytodoalittlegood。Ah！IknowwhatIenduredfromhungermyself！——Bijouhasconfidedtomeallherlittlesorrows。
ThereisthemakingofasuperattheAmbigu-Comiqueinthatchild。
Herdreamistowearfinedresseslikemine；aboveall，torideinacarriage。Ishallsaytoher，’Lookhere，littleone，wouldyouliketohaveafriendof——’Howoldareyou？”sheasked，interruptingherself。”Seventy-two？””Ihavegivenupcounting。””’Wouldyoulikeanoldgentlemanofseventy-two？’Ishallsay。’Verycleanandneat，andwhodoesnottakesnuff，whoisassoundasabell，andasgoodasayoungman？Hewillmarryyou(intheThirteenthArrondissement)andbeverykindtoyou；hewillplaceseventhousandfrancsinyouraccount，andfurnishyouaroomallinmahogany，andifyouaregood，hewillsometimestakeyoutotheplay。Hewillgiveyouahundredfrancsamonthforpocket-money，andfiftyfrancsforhousekeeping。’——IknowBijou；sheismyselfatfourteen。IjumpedforjoywhenthathorribleCrevelmademehisatrociousoffers。Well，andyou，oldman，willbedisposedofforthreeyears。Sheisagoodchild，wellbehaved；forthreeorfouryearsshewillhaveherillusions——notforlonger。”
Hulotdidnothesitate；hehadmadeuphismindtorefuse；buttoseemgratefultothekind-heartedsinger，whowasbenevolentafterherlights，heaffectedtohesitatebetweenviceandvirtue。”Why，youareascoldasapaving-stoneinwinter！”sheexclaimedinamazement。”Come，now。Youwillmakeawholefamilyhappy——agrandfatherwhorunsalltheerrands，amotherwhoisbeingwornoutwithwork，andtwosisters——oneofthemveryplain——whomakethirty-
twosousadaywhileputtingtheireyesout。Itwillmakeupforthemiseryyouhavecausedathome，andyouwillexpiateyoursinwhileyouarehavingasmuchfunasaminxatMabille。”
Hulot，toputanendtothistemptation，movedhisfingersasifhewerecountingoutmoney。”Oh！bequiteeasyastowaysandmeans，”repliedJosepha。”MyDukewilllendyoutenthousandfrancs；seventhousandtostartanembroideryshopinBijou’sname，andthreethousandforfurnishing；
andeverythreemonthsyouwillfindachequehereforsixhundredandfiftyfrancs。Whenyougetyourpensionpaidyou，youcanrepaytheseventeenthousandfrancs。Meanwhileyouwillbeashappyasacowinclover，andhiddeninaholewherethepolicewillneverfindyou。Youmustwearaloosesergecoat，andyouwilllooklikeacomfortablehouseholder。CallyourselfThoul，ifthatisyourfancy。IwilltellBijouthatyouareanuncleofminecomefromGermany，havingfailedinbusiness，andyouwillbecossetedlikeadivinity——Therenow，Daddy！——Andwhoknows！youmayhavenoregrets。Incaseyoushouldbebored，keeponeSundayrig-out，andyoucancomeandaskmeforadinnerandspendtheeveninghere。””I！——andImeanttosettledownandbehavemyself！——Lookhere，borrowtwentythousandfrancsforme，andIwillsetouttomakemyfortuneinAmerica，likemyfriendd’AiglemontwhenNucingencleanedhimout。””You！”criedJosepha。”Nay，leavemoralstowork-a-dayfolks，torawrecruits，tothe/worrrthy/citizenswhohavenothingtoboastofbuttheirvirtue。You！Youwereborntobesomethingbetterthananincompoop；youareasamanwhatIamasawoman——aspendthriftofgenius。””Wewillsleeponitanddiscussitallto-morrowmorning。””YouwilldinewiththeDuke。Myd’HerouvillewillreceiveyouascivillyasifyouwerethesaviouroftheState；andto-morrowyoucandecide。Come，bejolly，oldboy！Lifeisagarment；whenitisdirty，wemustbrushit；whenitisragged，itmustbepatched；butwekeepitonaslongaswecan。”
Thisphilosophyoflife，andherhighspirits，postponedHulot’skeenestpangs。
Atnoonnextday，afteracapitalbreakfast，HulotsawthearrivalofoneofthoselivingmasterpieceswhichParisaloneofallthecitiesintheworldcanproduce，bymeansoftheconstantconcubinageofluxuryandpoverty，ofviceanddecenthonesty，ofsuppresseddesireandrenewedtemptation，whichmakestheFrenchcapitalthedaughterofNinevah，ofBabylon，andofImperialRome。
MademoiselleOlympeBijou，achildofsixteen，hadtheexquisitefacewhichRaphaeldrewforhisVirgins；eyesofpatheticinnocence，wearywithoverwork——blackeyes，withlonglashes，theirmoistureparchedwiththeheatoflaboriousnights，anddarkenedwithfatigue；acomplexionlikeporcelain，almosttoodelicate；amouthlikeapartlyopenedpomegranate；aheavingbosom，afullfigure，prettyhands，thewhitestteeth，andamassofblackhair；andthewholemeagrelysetoffbyacottonfrockatseventy-fivecentimesthemetre，leathershoeswithoutheels，andthecheapestgloves。Thegirl，allunconsciousofhercharms，hadputonherbestfrocktowaitonthefinelady。
TheBaron，grippedagainbytheclutchofprofligacy，feltallhislifeconcentratedinhiseyes。Heforgoteverythingonbeholdingthisdelightfulcreature。Hewaslikeasportsmaninsightofthegame；ifanemperorwerepresent，hemusttakeaim！”Andwarrantedsound，”saidJosephainhisear。”Anhonestchild，andwantingbread。ThisisParis——Ihavebeenthere！””Itisabargain，”repliedtheoldman，gettingupandrubbinghishands。
WhenOlympeBijouwasgone，JosephalookedmischievouslyattheBaron。”Ifyouwantthingstokeepstraight，Daddy，”saidshe，”beasfirmasthePublicProsecutoronthebench。Keepatighthandonher，beaBartholo！WareAuguste，Hippolyte，Nestor，Victor——/or/，thatisgold，ineveryform。Whenoncethechildisfedanddressed，ifshegetstheupperhand，shewilldriveyoulikeaserf——Iwillseetosettlingyoucomfortably。TheDukedoesthehandsome；hewilllend——thatis，give——youtenthousandfrancs；andhedepositseightthousandwithhisnotary，whowillpayyousixhundredfrancseveryquarter，forI
cannottrustyou——Now，amInice？””Adorable。”
Tendaysafterdesertinghisfamily，whentheyweregatheredroundAdeline，whoseemedtobedying，asshesaidagainandagain，inaweakvoice，”Whereishe？”Hector，underthenameofThoul，wasestablishedintheRueSaint-Maur，attheheadofabusinessasembroiderer，underthenameofThoulandBijou。
VictorinHulot，undertheoverwhelmingdisastersofhisfamily，hadreceivedthefinishingtouchwhichmakesormarstheman。Hewasperfection。Inthegreatstormsoflifeweactlikethecaptainofashipwho，underthestressofahurricane，lightenstheshipofitsheaviestcargo。Theyounglawyerlosthisself-consciouspride，histooevidentassertiveness，hisarroganceasanoratorandhispoliticalpretensions。Hewasasamanwhathiswifewasasawoman。
HemadeuphismindtomakethebestofhisCelestine——whocertainlydidnotrealizehisdreams——andwaswiseenoughtoestimatelifeatitstruevaluebycontentinghimselfinallthingswiththesecondbest。Hevowedtofulfilhisduties，somuchhadhebeenshockedbyhisfather’sexample。
Thesefeelingswereconfirmedashestoodbyhismother’sbedonthedaywhenshewasoutofdanger。Nordidthishappinesscomesingle。
ClaudeVignon，whocalledeverydayfromthePrincedeWissembourgtoinquireastoMadameHulot’sprogress，desiredthere-electeddeputytogowithhimtoseetheMinister。”HisExcellency，”saidhe，”wantstotalkoveryourfamilyaffairswithyou。”
ThePrincehadlongknownVictorinHulot，andreceivedhimwithafriendlinessthatpromisedwell。”Mydearfellow，”saidtheoldsoldier，”Ipromisedyouruncle，inthisroom，thatIwouldtakecareofyourmother。Thatsaintlywoman，Iamtold，isgettingwellagain；nowisthetimetopouroilintoyourwounds。Ihaveforyouheretwohundredthousandfrancs；Iwillgivethemtoyou——”
Thelawyer’sgesturewasworthyofhisuncletheMarshal。”Bequiteeasy，”saidthePrince，smiling；”itismoneyintrust。Mydaysarenumbered；Ishallnotalwaysbehere；sotakethissum，andfillmyplacetowardsyourfamily。Youmayusethismoneytopayoffthemortgageonyourhouse。Thesetwohundredthousandfrancsarethepropertyofyourmotherandyoursister。IfIgavethemoneytoMadameHulot，Ifearthat，inherdevotiontoherhusband，shewouldbetemptedtowasteit。Andtheintentionofthosewhorestoreittoyouis，thatitshouldproducebreadforMadameHulotandherdaughter，theCountessSteinbock。Youareasteadyman，theworthysonofyournoblemother，thetruenephewofmyfriendtheMarshal；youareappreciatedhere，yousee——andelsewhere。Sobetheguardianangelofyourfamily，andtakethisasalegacyfromyouruncleandme。””Monseigneur，”saidHulot，takingtheMinister’shandandpressingit，”suchmenasyouknowthatthanksinwordsmeannothing；gratitudemustbeproven。””Proveyours——”saidtheoldman。”Inwhatway？””ByacceptingwhatIhavetoofferyou，”saidtheMinister。”WeproposetoappointyoutobeattorneytotheWarOffice，whichjustnowisinvolvedinlitigationsinconsequenceoftheplanforfortifyingParis；consultingclerkalsotothePrefectureofPolice；
andamemberoftheBoardoftheCivilList。Thesethreeappointmentswillsecureyousalariesamountingtoeighteenthousandfrancs，andwillleaveyoupoliticallyfree。YoucanvoteintheChamberinobediencetoyouropinionsandyourconscience。Actinperfectfreedomonthatscore。Itwouldbeabadthingforusiftherewerenonationalopposition！”Also，afewlinesfromyouruncle，writtenadayortwobeforehebreathedhislast，suggestedwhatIcoulddoforyourmother，whomhelovedverytruly——MesdamesPopinot，deRastignac，deNavarreins，d’Espard，deGrandlieu，deCarigliano，deLenoncourt，anddelaBatiehavemadeaplaceforyourmotherasaLadySuperintendentoftheircharities。Theseladies，presidentsofvariousbranchesofbenevolentwork，cannotdoeverythingthemselves；theyneedaladyofcharacterwhocanactforthembygoingtoseetheobjectsoftheirbeneficence，ascertainingthatcharityisnotimposedupon，andwhetherthehelpgivenreallyreachesthosewhoappliedforit，findingoutthatthepoorwhoareashamedtobeg，andsoforth。Yourmotherwillfulfilanangelicfunction；shewillbethrowninwithnonebutpriestsandthesecharitableladies；shewillbepaidsixthousandfrancsandthecostofherhackneycoaches。”Yousee，youngman，thatapureandnoblyvirtuousmancanstillassisthisfamily，evenfromthegrave。Suchanameasyouruncle’sis，andoughttobe，abuckleragainstmisfortuneinawell-organizedschemeofsociety。Followinhispath；youhavestartedinit，Iknow；
continueinit。””Suchdelicatekindnesscannotsurprisemeinmymother’sfriend，”
saidVictorin。”Iwilltrytocomeuptoallyourhopes。””Goatonce，andtakecomforttoyourfamily——Bytheway，”addedthePrince，asheshookhandswithVictorin，”yourfatherhasdisappeared？””Alas！yes。””Somuchthebetter。Thatunhappymanhasshownhiswit，inwhich，indeed，heisnotlacking。””Therearebillsofhistobemet。””Well，youshallhavesixmonths’payofyourthreeappointmentsinadvance。Thispre-paymentwillhelpyou，perhaps，togetthenotesoutofthehandsofthemoney-lender。AndIwillseeNucingen，andperhapsmaysucceedinreleasingyourfather’spension，pledgedtohim，withoutitscostingyouorourofficeasou。ThepeerhasnotkilledthebankerinNucingen；heisinsatiable；hewantssomeconcession——I
knownotwhat——”
SoonhisreturntotheRuePlumet，Victorincouldcarryouthisplanoflodginghismotherandsisterunderhisroof。
Theyounglawyer，alreadyfamous，had，forhissolefortune，oneofthehandsomesthousesinParis，purchasedin1834inpreparationforhismarriage，situatedontheboulevardbetweentheRuedelaPaixandtheRueLouis-le-Grand。Aspeculatorhadbuilttwohousesbetweentheboulevardandthestreet；andbetweenthese，withthegardensandcourtyardstothefrontandback，thereremainedstillstandingasplendidwing，theremainsofthemagnificentmansionoftheVerneuils。TheyoungerHulothadpurchasedthisfineproperty，onthestrengthofMademoiselleCrevel’smarriage-portion，foronemillionfrancs，whenitwasputuptoauction，payingfivehundredthousanddown。Helivedonthegroundfloor，expectingtopaytheremainderoutoflettingtherest；butthoughitissafetospeculateinhouse-
propertyinParis，suchinvestmentsarecapriciousorhangfire，dependingonunforeseencircumstances。
AstheParisianloungermayhaveobserved，theboulevardbetweentheRuedelaPaixandtheRueLouis-le-Grandprosperedbutslowly；ittooksolongtofurbishandbeautifyitself，thattradedidnotsetupitsdisplaytheretill1840——thegoldofthemoney-changers，thefairy-workoffashion，andtheluxurioussplendorofshop-fronts。
InspiteoftwohundredthousandfrancsgivenbyCreveltohisdaughteratthetimewhenhisvanitywasflatteredbythismarriage，beforetheBaronhadrobbedhimofJosepha；inspiteofthetwohundredthousandfrancspaidoffbyVictorininthecourseofsevenyears，thepropertywasstillburdenedwithadebtoffivehundredthousandfrancs，inconsequenceofVictorin’sdevotiontohisfather。
Happily，ariseinrentsandtheadvantagesofthesituationhadatthistimeimprovedthevalueofthehouses。Thespeculationwasjustifyingitselfaftereightyears’patience，duringwhichthelawyerhadstrainedeverynervetopaytheinterestandsometriflingamountsofthecapitalborrowed。
Thetradespeoplewerereadytooffergoodrentsfortheshops，onconditionofbeinggrantedleasesforeighteenyears。ThedwellingapartmentsroseinvaluebytheshiftingofthecentreinParislife——
henceforthtransferredtotheregionbetweentheBourseandtheMadeleine，nowtheseatofthepoliticalpowerandfinancialauthorityinParis。ThemoneypaidtohimbytheMinister，addedtoayear’srentinadvanceandthepremiumspaidbyhistenants，wouldfinallyreducetheoutstandingdebttotwohundredthousandfrancs。Thetwohouses，ifentirelylet，wouldbringinahundredthousandfrancsayear。Withintwoyearsmore，duringwhichtheHulotscouldliveonhissalaries，addedtobytheMarshal’sinvestments，Victorinwouldbeinasplendidposition。
Thiswasmannafromheaven。Victorincouldgiveupthefirstfloorofhisownhousetohismother，andthesecondtoHortense，exceptingtworoomsreservedforLisbeth。WithCousinBettyasthehousekeeper，thiscompoundhouseholdcouldbearallthesecharges，andyetkeepupagoodappearance，asbeseemedapleaderofnote。Thegreatstarsofthelaw-courtswererapidlydisappearing；andVictorinHulot，giftedwithashrewdtongueandstricthonesty，waslistenedtobytheBenchandCouncillors；hestudiedhiscasesthoroughly，andadvancednothingthathecouldnotprove。Hewouldnotholdeverybriefthatoffered；
infact，hewasacredittothebar。
