TheBaroness’homeintheRuePlumethadbecomesoodioustoher，thatsheallowedherselftobetakentotheRueLouis-le-Grand。Thus，byherson’scare，Adelineoccupiedafineapartment；shewassparedallthedailyworriesoflife；forLisbethconsentedtobeginagain，workingwondersofdomesticeconomy，suchasshehadachievedforMadameMarneffe，seeinghereawayofexertinghersilentvengeanceonthosethreenoblelives，theobject，each，ofherhatred，whichwaskeptgrowingbytheoverthrowofallherhopes。
OnceamonthshewenttoseeValerie，sent，indeed，byHortense，whowantednewsofWenceslas，andbyCelestine，whowasseriouslyuneasyattheacknowledgedandwell-knownconnectionbetweenherfatherandawomantowhomhermother-in-lawandsister-in-lawowedtheirruinandtheirsorrows。Asmaybesupposed，LisbethtookadvantageofthistoseeValerieasoftenaspossible。
Thus，abouttwentymonthspassedby，duringwhichtheBaronessrecoveredherhealth，thoughherpalsiedtremblingneverlefther。Shemadeherselffamiliarwithherduties，whichaffordedheranobledistractionfromhersorrowandconstantfoodforthedivinegoodnessofherheart。ShealsoregardeditasanopportunityforfindingherhusbandinthecourseofoneofthoseexpeditionswhichtookherintoeverypartofParis。
Duringthistime，Vauvinethadbeenpaid，andthepensionofsixthousandfrancswasalmostredeemed。VictorincouldmaintainhismotheraswellasHortenseoutofthetenthousandfrancsinterestonthemoneyleftbyMarshalHulotintrustforthem。Adeline’ssalaryamountedtosixthousandfrancsayear；andthis，addedtotheBaron’spensionwhenitwasfreed，wouldpresentlysecureanincomeoftwelvethousandfrancsayeartothemotheranddaughter。
Thus，thepoorwomanwouldhavebeenalmosthappybutforherperpetualanxietiesastotheBaron’sfate；forshelongedtohavehimwithhertosharetheimprovedfortunesthatsmiledonthefamily；andbutfortheconstantsightofherforsakendaughter；andbutfortheterriblethrustsconstantlyand/unconsciously/dealtherbyLisbeth，whosediabolicalcharacterhadfreecourse。
AscenewhichtookplaceatthebeginningofthemonthofMarch1843
willshowtheresultsofLisbeth’slatentandpersistenthatred，stillseconded，asshealwayswas，byMadameMarneffe。
TwogreateventshadoccurredintheMarneffehousehold。Inthefirstplace，Valeriehadgivenbirthtoastill-bornchild，whoselittlecoffinhadcosthertwothousandfrancsayear。Andthen，astoMarneffehimself，elevenmonthssince，thisisthereportgivenbyLisbethtotheHulotfamilyonedayonherreturnfromavisitofdiscoveryatthehotelMarneffe。”Thismorning，”saidshe，”thatdreadfulValeriesentforDoctorBianchontoaskwhetherthemedicalmenwhohadcondemnedherhusbandyesterdayhadmadenomistake。Bianchonpronouncedthatto-nightatthelatestthathorriblecreaturewilldeparttothetormentsthatawaithim。OldCrevelandMadameMarneffesawthedoctorout；andyourfather，mydearCelestine，gavehimfivegoldpiecesforhisgoodnews。”Whenhecamebackintothedrawing-room，Crevelcutcaperslikeadancer；heembracedthatwoman，exclaiming，’Then，atlast，youwillbeMadameCrevel！’——Andtome，whenshehadgonebacktoherhusband’sbedside，forhewasathislastgasp，yournoblefathersaidtome，’WithValerieasmywife，IcanbecomeapeerofFrance！IshallbuyanestateIhavemyeyeon——Presles，whichMadamedeSerizywantstosell。IshallbeCreveldePresles，memberoftheCommonCouncilofSeine-et-Oise，andDeputy。Ishallhaveason！IshallbeeverythingI
haveeverwishedtobe。’——’Heh！’saidI，’andwhataboutyourdaughter？’——’Bah！’sayshe，’sheisonlyawoman！AndsheisquitetoomuchofaHulot。Valeriehasahorrorofthemall——Myson-in-lawhasneverchosentocometothishouse；whyhashegivenhimselfsuchairsasaMentor，aSpartan，aPuritan，aphilanthropist？Besides，Ihavesquaredaccountswithmydaughter；shehashadallhermother’sfortune，andtwohundredthousandfrancstothat。SoIamfreetoactasIplease——Ishalljudgeofmyson-in-lawandCelestinebytheirconductonmymarriage；astheybehave，soshallI。Iftheyarenicetotheirstepmother，Iwillreceivethem。Iamaman，afterall！’——Inshort，allthisrhodomontade！AndanattitudelikeNapoleononthecolumn。”
Thetenmonths’widowhoodinsistedonbythelawhadnowelapsedsomefewdayssince。TheestateofPresleswaspurchased。VictorinandCelestinehadthatverymorningsentLisbethtomakeinquiriesastothemarriageofthefascinatingwidowtotheMayorofParis，nowamemberoftheCommonCounciloftheDepartmentofSeine-et-Oise。
CelestineandHortense，inwhomthetiesofaffectionhadbeendrawnclosersincetheyhadlivedunderthesameroof，werealmostinseparable。TheBaroness，carriedawaybyasenseofhonestywhichledhertoexaggeratethedutiesofherplace，devotedherselftotheworkofcharityofwhichshewastheagent；shewasoutalmosteverydayfromeleventillfive。Thesisters-in-law，unitedintheircaresforthechildrenwhomtheykepttogether，satathomeandworked。Theyhadarrivedattheintimacywhichthinksaloud，andwereatouchingpictureoftwosisters，onecheerfulandtheothersad。Thelesshappyofthetwo，handsome，lively，high-spirited，andclever，seemedbyhermannertodefyherpainfulsituation；whilethemelancholyCelestine，sweetandcalm，andasequableasreasonitself，mighthavebeensupposedtohavesomesecretgrief。Itwasthiscontradiction，perhaps，thataddedtotheirwarmfriendship。Eachsuppliedtheotherwithwhatshelacked。
Seatedinalittlesummer-houseinthegarden，whichthespeculator’strowelhadsparedbysomefancyofthebuilder’s，whobelievedthathewaspreservingthesehundredfeetsquareofearthforhisownpleasure，theywereadmiringthefirstgreenshootsofthelilac-
trees，aspringfestivalwhichcanonlybefullyappreciatedinPariswhentheinhabitantshavelivedforsixmonthsobliviousofwhatvegetationmeans，amongthecliffsofstonewheretheoceanofhumanitytossestoandfro。”Celestine，”saidHortensetohersister-in-law，whohadcomplainedthatinsuchfineweatherherhusbandshouldbekeptattheChamber，”Ithinkyoudonotfullyappreciateyourhappiness。Victorinisaperfectangel，andyousometimestormenthim。””Mydear，menliketobetormented！Certainwaysofteasingareaproofofaffection。Ifyourpoormotherhadonlybeen——Iwillnotsayexacting，butalwayspreparedtobeexacting，youwouldnothavehadsomuchtogrieveover。””Lisbethisnotcomeback。Ishallhavetosingthesongof/Malbrouck/，”saidHortense。”IdolongforsomenewsofWenceslas！——
Whatdoesheliveon？Hehasnotdoneathingthesetwoyears。””Victorinsawhim，hetoldme，withthathorriblewomannotlongago；
andhefanciedthatshemaintainshiminidleness——Ifyouonlywould，dearsoul，youmightbringyourhusbandbacktoyouyet。”
Hortenseshookherhead。”Believeme，”Celestinewenton，”thepositionwillerelongbeintolerable。Inthefirstinstance，rage，despair，indignation，gaveyoustrength。Theawfuldisastersthathavecomeuponussince——twodeaths，ruin，andthedisappearanceofBaronHulot——haveoccupiedyourmindandheart；butnowyouliveinpeaceandsilence，youwillfindithardtobearthevoidinyourlife；andasyoucannot，andwillneverleavethepathofvirtue，youwillhavetobereconciledtoWenceslas。Victorin，wholovesyousomuch，isofthatopinion。Thereissomethingstrongerthanone’sfeelingseven，andthatisNature！””Butsuchameancreature！”criedtheproudHortense。”Hecaresforthatwomanbecauseshefeedshim——Andhasshepaidhisdebts，doyousuppose？——GoodHeaven！Ithinkofthatman’spositiondayandnight！
Heisthefatherofmychild，andheisdegradinghimself。””Butlookatyourmother，mydear，”saidCelestine。
Celestinewasoneofthosewomenwho，whenyouhavegiventhemreasonsenoughtoconvinceaBretonpeasant，stillgobackforthehundredthtimetotheiroriginalargument。Thecharacterofherface，somewhatflat，dull，andcommon，herlight-brownhairinstiff，neatbands，herverycomplexionspokeofasensiblewoman，devoidofcharm，butalsodevoidofweakness。”TheBaronesswouldwillinglygotojoinherhusbandinhisdisgrace，tocomforthimandhidehiminherheartfromeveryeye，”Celestinewenton。”Why，shehasaroommadereadyupstairsforMonsieurHulot，asifsheexpectedtofindhimandbringhimhomefromonedaytothenext。””Ohyes，mymotherissublime！”repliedHortense。”Shehasbeensoeveryminuteofeverydayforsix-and-twentyyears；butIamnotlikeher，itisnotmynature——HowcanIhelpit？Iamangrywithmyselfsometimes；butyoudonotknow，Celestine，whatitwouldbetomaketermswithinfamy。””Thereismyfather！”saidCelestineplacidly。”Hehascertainlystartedontheroadthatruinedyours。HeistenyearsyoungerthantheBaron，tobesure，andwasonlyatradesman；buthowcanitend？
ThisMadameMarneffehasmadeaslaveofmyfather；heisherdog；sheismistressofhisfortuneandhisopinions，andnothingcanopenhiseyes。ItremblewhenIrememberthattheirbannsofmarriagearealreadypublished！——Myhusbandmeanstomakealastattempt；hethinksitadutytotrytoavengesocietyandthefamily，andbringthatwomantoaccountforallhercrimes。Alas！mydearHortense，suchloftysoulsasVictorinandheartslikeourscometoolatetoacomprehensionoftheworldanditsways！——Thisisasecret，dear，andIhavetoldyoubecauseyouareinterestedinit，butneverbyawordoralookbetrayittoLisbeth，oryourmother，oranybody，for——””HereisLisbeth！”saidHortense。”Well，cousin，andhowistheInfernooftheRueBarbetgoingon？””Badlyforyou，mychildren——Yourhusband，mydearHortense，ismorecrazyaboutthatwomanthanever，andshe，Imustown，ismadlyinlovewithhim——Yourfather，dearCelestine，isgloriouslyblind。
That，tobesure，isnothing；Ihavehadoccasiontoseeitonceafortnight；really，Iamluckynevertohavehadanythingtodowithmen，theyarebesottedcreatures——Fivedayshenceyou，dearchild，andVictorinwillhavelostyourfather’sfortune。””Thenthebannsarecried？”saidCelestine。”Yes，”saidLisbeth，”andIhavejustbeenarguingyourcase。I
pointedouttothatmonster，whoisgoingthewayoftheother，thatifhewouldonlygetyououtofthedifficultiesyouareinbypayingoffthemortgageonthehouse，youwouldshowyourgratitudeandreceiveyourstepmother——”
Hortensestartedinhorror。”Victorinwillseeaboutthat，”saidCelestinecoldly。”ButdoyouknowwhatMonsieurleMaire’sanswerwas？”saidLisbeth。”’Imeantoleavethemwheretheyare。Horsescanonlybebrokeninbylackoffood，sleep，andsugar。’——Why，BaronHulotwasnotsobadasMonsieurCrevel。”So，mypoordears，youmaysaygood-byetothemoney。Andsuchafinefortune！YourfatherpaidthreemillionfrancsforthePreslesestate，andhehasthirtythousandfrancsayearinstocks！Oh！——hehasnosecretsfromme。HetalksofbuyingtheHoteldeNavarreins，intheRueduBac。MadameMarneffeherselfhasfortythousandfrancsayear——
Ah！——hereisourguardianangel，herecomesyourmother！”sheexclaimed，hearingtherumbleofwheels。
AndpresentlytheBaronesscamedownthegardenstepsandjoinedtheparty。Atfifty-five，thoughcrushedbysomanytroubles，andconstantlytremblingasifshiveringwithague，Adeline，whosefacewasindeedpaleandwrinkled，stillhadafinefigure，anobleoutline，andnaturaldignity。Thosewhosawhersaid，”Shemusthavebeenbeautiful！”Wornwiththegriefofnotknowingherhusband’sfate，ofbeingunabletosharewithhimthisoasisintheheartofParis，thispeaceandseclusionandthebetterfortunethatwasdawningonthefamily，herbeautywasthebeautyofaruin。Aseachgleamofhopediedout，eachdayofsearchprovedvain，Adelinesankintofitsofdeepmelancholythatdroveherchildrentodespair。
TheBaronesshadgoneoutthatmorningwithfreshhopes，andwasanxiouslyexpected。Anofficial，whowasunderobligationstoHulot，towhomheowedhispositionandadvancement，declaredthathehadseentheBaroninaboxattheAmbigu-Comiquetheatrewithawomanofextraordinarybeauty。SoAdelinehadgonetocallontheBaronVerneuil。Thisimportantpersonage，whileassertingthathehadpositivelyseenhisoldpatron，andthathisbehaviourtothewomanindicatedanillicitestablishment，toldMadameHulotthattoavoidmeetinghimtheBaronhadleftlongbeforetheendoftheplay。”Helookedlikeamanathomewiththedamsel，buthisdressbetrayedsomelackofmeans，”saidheinconclusion。”Well？”saidthethreewomenastheBaronesscametowardsthem。”Well，MonsieurHulotisinParis；andtome，”saidAdeline，”itisagleamofhappinessonlytoknowthatheiswithinreachofus。””Buthedoesnotseemtohavemendedhisways，”LisbethremarkedwhenAdelinehadfinishedherreportofhervisittoBaronVerneuil。”Hehastakenupsomelittlework-girl。Butwherecanhegetthemoneyfrom？Icouldbetthathebegsofhisformermistresses——MademoiselleJennyCadineorJosepha。”
TheBaronesstrembledmoreseverelythanever；everynervequivered；
shewipedawaythetearsthatrosetohereyesandlookedmournfullyuptoheaven。”IcannotthinkthataGrandCommanderoftheLegionofHonorwillhavefallensolow，”saidshe。”Forhispleasurewhatwouldhenotdo？”saidLisbeth。”HerobbedtheState，hewillrobprivatepersons，commitmurder——whoknows？””Oh，Lisbeth！”criedtheBaroness，”keepsuchthoughtstoyourself。”
AtthismomentLouisecameuptothefamilygroup，nowincreasedbythearrivalofthetwoHulotchildrenandlittleWenceslastoseeiftheirgrandmother’spocketsdidnotcontainsomesweetmeats。”Whatisit，Louise？”askedoneandanother。”AmanwhowantstoseeMademoiselleFischer。””Whoistheman？”askedLisbeth。”Heisinrags，mademoiselle，andcoveredwithfluelikeamattress-
picker；hisnoseisred，andhesmellsofbrandy——Heisoneofthosemenwhoworkhalfoftheweekatmost。”
ThisuninvitingpicturehadtheeffectofmakingLisbethhurryintothecourtyardofthehouseintheRueLouis-le-Grand，whereshefoundamansmokingapipecoloredinastylethatshowedhimanartistintobacco。”Whyhaveyoucomehere，PereChardin？”sheasked。”Itisunderstoodthatyougo，onthefirstSaturdayineverymonth，tothegateoftheHotelMarneffe，RueBarbet-de-Jouy。Ihavejustcomebackafterwaitingthereforfivehours，andyoudidnotcome。””Ididgothere，goodandcharitablelady！”repliedthemattress-
picker。”ButtherewasagameatpoolgoingonattheCafedesSavants，RueduCerf-Volant，andeverymanhashisfancy。Now，mineisbilliards。Ifitwasn’tforbilliards，Imightbeeatingoffsilverplate。For，Itellyouthis，”andhefumbledforascrapofpaperinhisraggedtrouserspocket，”itisbilliardsthatleadsontoadramandplum-brandy——Itisruinous，likeallfinethings，inthethingsitleadsto。Iknowyourorders，buttheold’unisinsuchaquandarythatIcameontoforbiddengrounds——Ifthehairwasallhair，wemightsleepsoundonit；butitismixed。Godisnotforall，asthesayinggoes。HehasHisfavorites——well，Hehastheright。Now，hereisthewritingofyourestimablerelativeandmyverygoodfriend——hispoliticalopinion。”
Chardinattemptedtotracesomezigzaglinesintheairwiththeforefingerofhisrighthand。
Lisbeth，notlisteningtohim，readthesefewwords：”DEARCOUSIN，——BemyProvidence；givemethreehundredfrancsthisday。”HECTOR。””Whatdoeshewantsomuchmoneyfor？””Thelan’lord！”saidChardin，stilltryingtosketcharabesques。”Andthenmyson，yousee，hascomebackfromAlgiersthroughSpainandBayonee，and，and——hehas/found/nothing——againsthisrule，forasharpcoveismyson，savingyourpresence。Howcanhehelpit，heisinwantoffood；buthewillrepayallwelendhim，forheisgoingtogetupacompany。Hehasideas，hehas，thatwillcarryhim——””Tothepolicecourt，”Lisbethputin。”Hemurderedmyuncle；Ishallnotforgetthat。””He——why，hecouldnotbleedachicken，honorablelady。””Herearethethreehundredfrancs，”saidLisbeth，takingfifteengoldpiecesoutofherpurse。”Now，go，andnevercomehereagain。”
ShesawthefatheroftheOranstorekeeperoffthepremises，andpointedoutthedrunkenoldcreaturetotheporter。”Atanytimewhenthatmancomeshere，ifbychanceheshouldcomeagain，donotlethimin。IfheshouldaskwhetherMonsieurHulotjuniororMadamelaBaronneHulotliveshere，tellhimyouknowofnosuchpersons。””Verygood，mademoiselle。””Yourplacedependsonitifyoumakeanymistake，evenwithoutintendingit，”saidLisbeth，inthewoman’sear——”Cousin，”shewentontoVictorin，whojustnowcamein，”agreatmisfortuneishangingoveryourhead。””Whatisthat？”saidVictorin。”WithinafewdaysMadameMarneffewillbeyourwife’sstepmother。””Thatremainstobeseen，”repliedVictorin。
ForsixmonthspastLisbethhadveryregularlypaidalittleallowancetoBaronHulot，herformerprotector，whomshenowprotected；sheknewthesecretofhisdwelling-place，andrelishedAdeline’stears，sayingtoher，aswehaveseen，whenshesawhercheerfulandhopeful，”Youmayexpecttofindmypoorcousin’snameinthepaperssomedayundertheheading’PoliceReport。’”
Butinthis，asonaformeroccasion，shelethervengeancecarryhertoofar。ShehadarousedtheprudentsuspicionsofVictorin。HehadresolvedtoberidofthisDamocles’swordsoconstantlyflourishedoverthembyLisbeth，andofthefemaledemontowhomhismotherandthefamilyowedsomanywoes。ThePrincedeWissembourg，knowingallaboutMadameMarneffe’sconduct，approvedoftheyounglawyer’ssecretproject；hehadpromisedhim，asaPresidentoftheCouncilcanpromise，thesecretassistanceofthepolice，toenlightenCrevelandrescueafinefortunefromtheclutchesofthediabolicalcourtesan，whomhecouldnotforgiveeitherforcausingthedeathofMarshalHulotorfortheBaron’sutterruin。
ThewordsspokenbyLisbeth，”Hebegsofhisformermistresses，”
hauntedtheBaronessallnight。Likesickmengivenoverbythephysicians，whohaverecoursetoquacks，likemenwhohavefallenintothelowestDantesquecircleofdespair，ordrowningcreatureswhomistakeafloatingstickforahawser，sheendedbybelievinginthebasenessofwhichthemereideahadhorrifiedher；anditoccurredtoherthatshemightapplyforhelptooneofthoseterriblewomen。
Nextmorning，withoutconsultingherchildrenorsayingawordtoanybody，shewenttoseeMademoiselleJosephaMirah，primadonnaoftheRoyalAcademyofMusic，tofindortolosethehopethathadgleamedbeforeherlikeawill-o’-the-wisp。Atmidday，thegreatsinger’swaiting-maidbroughtherinthecardoftheBaronneHulot，sayingthatthispersonwaswaitingatthedoor，havingaskedwhetherMademoisellecouldreceiveher。”Aretheroomsdone？””Yes，mademoiselle。””Andtheflowersfresh？””Yes，mademoiselle。””JusttellJeantolookroundandseethateverythingisasitshouldbebeforeshowingtheladyin，andtreatherwiththegreatestrespect。Go，andcomebacktodressme——Imustlookmyverybest。”
Shewenttostudyherselfinthelongglass。”Now，toputourbestfootforemost！”saidshetoherself。”Viceunderarmstomeetvirtue！——Poorwoman，whatcanshewantofme？Icannotbeartosee。”Thenoblevictimofoutrageousfortune！”
Andshesangthroughthefamousariaasthemaidcameinagain。”Madame，”saidthegirl，”theladyhasanervoustrembling——””Offerhersomeorange-water，somerum，somebroth——””Idid，mademoiselle；butshedeclineseverything，andsaysitisaninfirmity，anervouscomplaint——””Whereisshe？””Inthebigdrawing-room。””Well，makehaste，child。Givememysmartestslippers，thedressing-
gownembroideredbyBijou，andnoendoflacefrills。Domyhairinawaytoastonishawoman——Thiswomanplaysapartagainstmine；andtellthelady——forsheisareal，greatlady，mygirl，nay，more，sheiswhatyouwillneverbe，awomanwhoseprayerscanrescuesoulsfromyourpurgatory——tellherIwasinbed，asIwasplayinglastnight，andthatIamjustgettingup。”
TheBaroness，shownintoJosepha’shandsomedrawing-room，didnotnotehowlongshewaskeptwaitingthere，thoughitwasalonghalfhour。
Thisroom，entirelyredecoratedevensinceJosephahadhadthehouse，washungwithsilkinpurpleandgoldcolor。Theluxurywhichfinegentlemenwerewonttolavishontheir/petitesmaisons/，thescenesoftheirprofligacy，ofwhichtheremainsstillbearwitnesstothefolliesfromwhichtheyweresoaptlynamed，wasdisplayedtoperfection，thankstomoderninventiveness，inthefourroomsopeningintoeachother，wherethewarmtemperaturewasmaintainedbyasystemofhot-airpipeswithinvisibleopenings。
TheBaroness，quitebewildered，examinedeachworkofartwiththegreatestamazement。Hereshefoundfortunesaccountedforthatmeltinthecrucibleunderwhichpleasureandvanityfeedthedevouringflames。Thiswoman，whofortwenty-sixyearshadlivedamongthedeadrelicsofimperialmagnificence，whoseeyeswereaccustomedtocarpetspatternedwithfadedflowers，rubbedgilding，silksasforlornasherheart，halfunderstoodthepowerfulfascinationsofviceasshestudieditsresults。Itwasimpossiblenottowishtopossessthesebeautifulthings，theseadmirableworksofart，thecreationoftheunknowntalentwhichaboundsinParisinourdayandproducestreasuresforallEurope。Eachthinghadthenovelcharmofuniqueperfection。Themodelsbeingdestroyed，everyvase，everyfigure，everypieceofsculpturewastheoriginal。Thisisthecrowninggraceofmodernluxury。Toownthethingwhichisnotvulgarizedbythetwothousandwealthycitizenswhosenotionofluxuryisthelavishdisplayofthesplendorsthatshopscansupply，isthestampoftrueluxury——
theluxuryofthefinegentlemenoftheday，theshootingstarsoftheParisfirmament。
Assheexaminedtheflower-stands，filledwiththechoicestexoticplants，mountedinchasedbrassandinlaidinthestyleofBoulle，theBaronesswasscaredbytheideaofthewealthinthisapartment。Andthisimpressionnaturallyshedaglamouroverthepersonroundwhomallthisprofusionwasheaped。AdelineimaginedthatJosephaMirah——
whoseportraitbyJosephBridauwasthegloryoftheadjoiningboudoir——mustbeasingerofgenius，aMalibran，andsheexpectedtoseearealstar。Shewassorryshehadcome。Butshehadbeenpromptedbyastrongandsonaturalafeeling，bysuchpurelydisinteresteddevotion，thatshecollectedallhercouragefortheinterview。
Besides，shewasabouttosatisfyherurgentcuriosity，toseeforherselfwhatwasthecharmofthiskindofwomen，thattheycouldextractsomuchgoldfromthemiserlyoreofParismud。
TheBaronesslookedatherselftoseeifshewerenotablotonallthissplendor；butshewaswelldressedinhervelvetgown，withalittlecapetrimmedwithbeautifullace，andhervelvetbonnetofthesameshadewasbecoming。Seeingherselfstillasimposingasanyqueen，alwaysaqueeneveninherfall，shereflectedthatthedignityofsorrowwasamatchforthedignityoftalent。
Atlast，aftermuchopeningandshuttingofdoors，shesawJosepha。
ThesingerboreastrongresemblancetoAllori’s/Judith/，whichdwellsinthememoryofallwhohaveeverseenitinthePittipalace，nearthedoorofoneofthegreatrooms。Shehadthesamehaughtymien，thesamefinefeatures，blackhairsimplyknotted，andayellowwrapperwithlittleembroideredflowers，exactlylikethebrocadewornbytheimmortalhomicideconceivedofbyBronzino’snephew。”MadamelaBaronne，Iamquiteoverwhelmedbythehonoryoudomeincominghere，”saidthesinger，resolvedtoplayherpartasagreatladywithagrace。
Shepushedforwardaneasy-chairfortheBaronessandseatedherselfonastool。Shediscernedthefadedbeautyofthewomanbeforeher，andwasfilledwithpityasshesawhershakenbythenervouspalsythat，ontheleastexcitement，becameconvulsive。ShecouldreadataglancethesaintlylifedescribedtoherofoldbyHulotandCrevel；
andshenotonlyceasedtothinkofacontestwithher，shehumiliatedherselfbeforeasuperioritysheappreciated。Thegreatartistcouldadmirewhatthecourtesanlaughedtoscorn。”Mademoiselle，despairbroughtmehere。Itreducesustoanymeans——”
AlookinJosepha’sfacemadetheBaronessfeelthatshehadwoundedthewomanfromwhomshehopedforsomuch，andshelookedather。HerbeseechingeyesextinguishedtheflashinJosepha’s；thesingersmiled。Itwasawordlessdialogueofpatheticeloquence。”ItisnowtwoyearsandahalfsinceMonsieurHulotlefthisfamily，andIdonotknowwheretofindhim，thoughIknowthathelivesinParis，”saidtheBaronesswithemotion。”Adreamsuggestedtometheidea——anabsurdoneperhaps——thatyoumayhaveinterestedyourselfinMonsieurHulot。Ifyoucouldenablemetoseehim——oh！mademoiselle，I
wouldprayHeavenforyoueverydayaslongasIliveinthisworld——”
Twolargetearsinthesinger’seyestoldwhatherreplywouldbe。”Madame，”saidshe，”Ihavedoneyouaninjurywithoutknowingyou；
but，nowthatIhavethehappinessofseeinginyouthemostperfectvirtueonearth，believemeIamsensibleoftheextentofmyfault；I
repentsincerely，andbelieveme，Iwilldoallinmypowertoremedyit！”
ShetookMadameHulot’shandandbeforetheladycoulddoanythingtohinderher，shekisseditrespectfully，evenhumblingherselftobendoneknee。Thensherose，asproudaswhenshestoodonthestageinthepartof/Mathilde/，andrangthebell。”Goonhorseback，”saidshetotheman-servant，”andkillthehorseifyoumust，tofindlittleBijou，RueSaint-Maur-du-Temple，andbringherhere。Putherintoacoachandpaythecoachmantocomeatagallop。Donotloseamoment——oryouloseyourplace。”Madame，”shewenton，comingbacktotheBaroness，andspeakingtoherinrespectfultones，”youmustforgiveme。AssoonastheDucd’Herouvillebecamemyprotector，IdismissedtheBaron，havingheardthathewasruininghisfamilyforme。WhatmorecouldIdo？Inanactress’careeraprotectorisindispensablefromthefirstdayofherappearanceontheboards。Oursalariesdonotpayhalfourexpenses；
wemusthaveatemporaryhusband。IdidnotvalueMonsieurHulot，whotookmeawayfromarichman，aconceitedidiot。OldCrevelwouldundoubtedlyhavemarriedme——””Sohetoldme，”saidtheBaroness，interruptingher。”Well，then，yousee，madame，Imightatthisdayhavebeenanhonestwoman，withonlyonelegitimatehusband！””Youhavemanyexcuses，mademoiselle，”saidAdeline，”andGodwilltakethemintoaccount。But，formypart，farfromreproachingyou，I
came，onthecontrary，tomakemyselfyourdebtoringratitude——””Madame，fornearlythreeyearsIhaveprovidedforMonsieurleBaron’snecessities——””You？”interruptedtheBaroness，withtearsinhereyes。”Oh，whatcanIdoforyou？Icanonlypray——””IandMonsieurleDucd’Herouville，”thesingersaid，”anoblesoul，atruegentleman——”andJosepharelatedthesettlingand/marriage/ofMonsieurThoul。”Andso，thankstoyou，mademoiselle，theBaronhaswantednothing？””Wehavedoneourbesttothatend，madame。””Andwhereishenow？””Aboutsixmonthsago，MonsieurleDuctoldmethattheBaron，knowntothenotarybythenameofThoul，haddrawnalltheeightthousandfrancsthatweretohavebeenpaidtohiminfixedsumsonceaquarter，”repliedJosepha。”WehaveheardnomoreoftheBaron，neitherInorMonsieurd’Herouville。Ourlivesaresofull，weartistsaresobusy，thatIreallyhavenottimetorunafteroldThoul。Asithappens，forthelastsixmonths，Bijou，whoworksforme——his——whatshallIsay——？””Hismistress，”saidMadameHulot。”Hismistress，”repeatedJosepha，”hasnotbeenhere。MademoiselleOlympeBijouisperhapsdivorced。Divorceiscommoninthethirteentharrondissement。”
Josepharose，andforagingamongtherareplantsinherstands，madeacharmingbouquetforMadameHulot，whoseexpectations，itmaybesaid，werebynomeansfulfilled。Likethoseworthyfold，whotakemenofgeniustobeasortofmonsters，eating，drinking，walking，andspeakingunlikeotherpeople，theBaronesshadhopedtoseeJosephatheoperasinger，thewitch，theamorousandamusingcourtesan；shesawacalmandwell-manneredwoman，withthedignityoftalent，thesimplicityofanactresswhoknowsherselftobeatnightaqueen，andalso，betterthanall，awomanofthetownwhoseeyes，attitude，anddemeanorpaidfullandungrudginghomagetothevirtuouswife，the/Materdolorosa/ofthesacredhymn，andwhowascrowninghersorrowswithflowers，astheMadonnaiscrownedinItaly。”Madame，”saidtheman-servant，reappearingattheendofhalfanhour，”MadameBijouisonherway，butyouarenottoexpectlittleOlympe。Yourneedle-woman，madame，issettledinlife；sheismarried——””Moreorless？”saidJosepha。”No，madame，reallymarried。Sheisattheheadofaveryfinebusiness；shehasmarriedtheownerofalargeandfashionableshop，onwhichtheyhavespentmillionsoffrancs，ontheBoulevarddesItaliens；andshehaslefttheembroiderybusinesstohersisterandmother。SheisMadameGrenouville。Thefattradesman——””ACrevel？””Yes，madame，”saidtheman。”Well，hehassettledthirtythousandfrancsayearonMademoiselleBijoubythemarriagearticles。Andhereldersister，theysay，isgoingtobemarriedtoarichbutcher。””Yourbusinesslooksratherhopeless，Iamafraid，”saidJosephatotheBaroness。”MonsieurleBaronisnolongerwhereIlodgedhim。”
TenminuteslaterMadameBijouwasannounced。JosephaveryprudentlyplacedtheBaronessintheboudoir，anddrewthecurtainoverthedoor。”Youwouldscareher，”saidshetoMadameHulot。”Shewouldletnothingoutifshesuspectedthatyouwereinterestedintheinformation。Leavemetocatechiseher。Hidethere，andyouwillheareverything。Itisascenethatisplayedquiteasofteninreallifeasonthestage——””Well，MotherBijou，”shesaidtoanoldwomandressedintartanstuff，andwholookedlikeaporter’swifeinherSundaybest，”soyouareallveryhappy？Yourdaughterisinluck。””Oh，happy？Asforthat！——Mydaughtergivesusahundredfrancsamonth，whilesheridesinacarriageandeatsoffsilverplate——sheisamillionary，ismydaughter！Olympemighthaveliftedmeabovelabor。
Tohavetoworkatmyage？Isthatbeinggoodtome？””Sheoughtnottobeungrateful，forsheowesherbeautytoyou，”
repliedJosepha；”butwhydidshenotcometoseeme？ItwasIwhoplacedherineasebysettlingherwithmyuncle。””Yes，madame，witholdMonsieurThoul，butheisveryoldandbroken——””Butwhathaveyoudonewithhim？Ishewithyou？Shewasveryfoolishtoleavehim；heisworthmillionsnow。””Heavenaboveus！”criedthemother。”WhatdidItellherwhenshebehavedsobadlytohim，andheasmildasmilk，pooroldfellow？Oh！
didn’tshejustgiveithimhot？——Olympewasperverted，madame？””Buthow？””Shegottoknowa/claqueur/，madame，savingyourpresence，amanpaidtoclap，youknow，thegrandnephewofanoldmattress-pickeroftheFaubourgSaint-Marceau。Thisgood-for-naught，asallyourgood-
lookingfellowsare，paidtomakeapiecego，isthecockofthewalkoutontheBoulevardduTemple，whereheworksupthenewplays，andtakescarethattheactressesgetareception，ashecallsit。First，hehasagoodbreakfastinthemorning；then，beforetheplay，hedines，tobe’uptothemark，’ashesays；inshort，heisabornloverofbilliardsanddrams。’Butthatisnotfollowingatrade，’asIsaidtoOlympe。””Itisatrademenfollow，unfortunately，”saidJosepha。”Well，therascalturnedOlympe’shead，andhe，madame，didnotkeepgoodcompany——whenItellyouhewasverynearbeingnabbedbythepoliceinatavernwherethievesmeet。’Wever，MonsieurBraulard，theleaderoftheclaque，gothimoutofthat。Hewearsgoldearrings，andhelivesbydoingnothing，hangingontowomen，whoarefoolsaboutthesegood-lookingscamps。HespentallthemoneyMonsieurThoulusedtogivethechild。”Thenthebusinesswasgoingtogrief；whatembroiderybroughtinwentoutacrossthebilliardtable。’Wever，theyoungfellowhadaprettysister，madame，who，likeherbrother，livedbyhookandbycrook，andnobetterthansheshouldbeneither，overinthestudents’quarter。””OneoftheslutsattheChaumiere，”saidJosepha。”So，madame，”saidtheoldwoman。”SoIdamore，hisnameisIdamore，leastwaysthatiswhathecallshimself，forhisrealnameisChardin——Idamorefanciedthatyourunclehadadealmoremoneythanheownedto，andhemanagedtosendhissisterElodie——andthatwasastagenamehegaveher——tosendhertobeaworkwomanatourplace，withoutmydaughter’sknowingwhoshewas；and，graciousgoodness！butthatgirlturnedthewholeplacetopsy-turvy；shegotallthosepoorgirlsintomischief——impossibletowhitewashthem，savingyourpresence——”Andshewassosharp，shewonoverpooroldThoul，andtookhimaway，andwedon’tknowwhere，andleftusinaprettyfix，withalotofbillscomingin。Tothisdayaseveriswehavenotbeenabletosettleup；butmydaughter，whoknowsallaboutsuchthings，keepsaneyeonthemastheyfalldue——Then，whenIdamoresawhehadgotholdoftheoldman，throughhissister，youunderstand，hethrewovermydaughter，andnowhehasgotholdofalittleactressatthe/Funambules/——Andthatwashowmydaughtercametogetmarried，asyouwillsee——””Butyoumustknowwherethemattress-pickerlives？”saidJosepha。”What！oldChardin？Asifhelivedanywhereatall！——Heisdrunkbysixinthemorning；hemakesamattressonceamonth；hehangsaboutthewineshopsallday；heplaysatpools——””Heplaysatpools？”saidJosepha。”Youdonotunderstand，madame，poolsofbilliards，Imean，andhewinsthreeorfouraday，andthenhedrinks。””Wateroutofthepools，Isuppose？”saidJosepha。”ButifIdamorehauntstheBoulevard，byinquiringthroughmyfriendVraulard，wecouldfindhim。””Idon’tknow，madame；allthiswassixmonthsago。Idamorewasoneofthesortwhoareboundtofindtheirwayintothepolicecourts，andfromthattoMelun——andthe——whoknows——？””Totheprisonyard！”saidJosepha。”Well，madame，youknoweverything，”saidtheoldwoman，smiling。”Well，ifmygirlhadneverknownthatscamp，shewouldnowbe——Still，shewasinluck，allthesame，youwillsay，forMonsieurGrenouvillefellsomuchinlovewithherthathemarriedher——””Andwhatbroughtthatabout？””Olympewasdesperate，madame。Whenshefoundherselfleftinthelurchforthatlittleactress——andshetookarodoutofpickleforher，Icantellyou；myword，butshegaveheradressing！——andwhenshehadlostpooroldThoul，whoworshipedher，shewouldhavenothingmoretosaytothemen。’Wever，MonsieurGrenouville，whohadbeendealinglargelywithus——tothetuneoftwohundredembroideredChina-
crapeshawlseveryquarter——hewantedtoconsoleher；butwhetherorno，shewouldnotlistentoanythingwithoutthemayorandthepriest。
’Imeantoberespectable，’saidshe，’orperish！’andshestucktoit。MonsieurGrenouvilleconsentedtomarryher，onconditionofhergivingusallup，andweagreed——””Forahandsomeconsideration？”saidJosepha，withherusualperspicacity。”Yes，madame，tenthousandfrancs，andanallowancetomyfather，whoispastwork。””IbeggedyourdaughtertomakeoldThoulhappy，andshehasthrownmeover。Thatisnotfair。Iwilltakenointerestinanyoneforthefuture！Thatiswhatcomesoftryingtodogood！Benevolencecertainlydoesnotanswerasaspeculation！——Olympeought，atleast，tohavegivenmenoticeofthisjobbing。Now，ifyoufindtheoldmanThoulwithinafortnight，Iwillgiveyouathousandfrancs。””Itwillbeahardtask，mygoodlady；still，thereareagoodmanyfive-francpiecesinathousandfrancs，andIwilltrytoearnyourmoney。””Good-morning，then，MadameBijou。”
Ongoingintotheboudoir，thesingerfoundthatMadameHulothadfainted；butinspiteofhavinglostconsciousness，hernervoustremblingkeptherstillperpetuallyshaking，asthepiecesofasnakethathasbeencutupstillwriggleandmove。Strongsalts，coldwater，andalltheordinaryremedieswereappliedtorecalltheBaronesstohersenses，orrather，totheapprehensionofhersorrows。”Ah！mademoiselle，howfarhashefallen！”criedshe，recognizingJosepha，andfindingthatshewasalonewithher。”Takeheart，madame，”repliedtheactress，whohadseatedherselfonacushionatAdeline’sfeet，andwaskissingherhands。”Weshallfindhim；andifheisinthemire，well，hemustwashhimself。Believeme，withpeopleofgoodbreedingitisamatterofclothes——AllowmetomakeupforyoutheharmIhavedoneyou，forIseehowmuchyouareattachedtoyourhusband，inspiteofhismisconduct——oryoushouldnothavecomehere——Well，yousee，thepoormanissofondofwomen。
Ifyouhadhadalittleofourdash，youwouldhavekepthimfromrunningabouttheworld；foryouwouldhavebeenwhatwecanneverbe——allthewomenmanwants。”TheStateoughttosubsidizeaschoolofmannersforhonestwomen！
Butgovernmentsaresoprudish！Still，theyareguidedbymen，whomweprivatelyguide。Myword，Ipitynations！”Butthematterinquestionishowyoucanbehelped，andnottolaughattheworld——Well，madame，beeasy，gohomeagain，anddonotworry。
IwillbringyourHectorbacktoyouashewasasamanofthirty。””Ah，mademoiselle，letusgotoseethatMadameGrenouville，”saidtheBaroness。”Shesurelyknowssomething！PerhapsImayseetheBaronthisveryday，andbeabletosnatchhimatoncefrompovertyanddisgrace。””Madame，IwillshowyouthedeepgratitudeIfeeltowardsyoubynotdisplayingthestage-singerJosepha，theDucd’Herouville’smistress，inthecompanyofthenoblest，saintliestimageofvirtue。Irespectyoutoomuchtobeseenbyyourside。Thisisnotactedhumility；itissincerehomage。Youmakemesorry，madame，thatIcannottreadinyourfootsteps，inspiteofthethornsthattearyourfeetandhands——
Butitcannotbehelped！Iamonewithart，asyouareonewithvirtue。””Poorchild！”saidtheBaroness，movedamidherownsorrowsbyastrangesenseofcompassionatesympathy；”IwillpraytoGodforyou；
foryouarethevictimofsociety，whichmusthavetheatres。Whenyouareold，repent——youwillbeheardifGodvouchsafestoheartheprayersofa——””Ofamartyr，madame，”Josephaputin，andsherespectfullykissedtheBaroness’skirt。
ButAdelinetooktheactress’hand，anddrawinghertowardsher，kissedherontheforehead。ColoringwithpleasureJosephasawtheBaronessintothehackneycoachwiththehumblestpoliteness。”ItmustbesomevisitingLadyofCharity，”saidtheman-servanttothemaid，”forshedoesnotdosomuchforanyone，notevenforherdearfriendMadameJennyCadine。””Waitafewdays，”saidshe，”andyouwillseehim，madame，orI
renouncetheGodofmyfathers——andthatfromaJewess，youknow，isapromiseofsuccess。”
AttheverytimewhenMadameHulotwascallingonJosepha，Victorin，inhisstudy，wasreceivinganoldwomanofaboutseventy-five，who，togainadmissiontothelawyer，hadusedtheterriblenameoftheheadofthedetectiveforce。Themaninwaitingannounced：”MadamedeSaint-Esteve。””Ihaveassumedoneofmybusinessnames，”saidshe，takingaseat。
Victorinfeltasortofinternalchillatthesightofthisdreadfuloldwoman。Thoughhandsomelydressed，shewasterribletolookupon，forherflat，colorless，strongly-markedface，furrowedwithwrinkles，expressedasortofcoldmalignity。Marat，asawomanofthatage，mighthavebeenlikethiscreature，alivingembodimentoftheReignofTerror。
Thissinisteroldwoman’ssmall，paleeyestwinkledwithatiger’sbloodthirstygreed。Herbroad，flatnose，withnostrilsexpandedintoovalcavities，breathedthefiresofhell，andresembledthebeakofsomeevilbirdofprey。Thespiritofintriguelurkedbehindherlow，cruelbrow。Longhairshadgrownfromherwrinkledchin，betrayingthemasculinecharacterofherschemes。Anyoneseeingthatwoman’sfacewouldhavesaidthatartistshadfailedintheirconceptionsofMephistopheles。”Mydearsir，”shebegan，withapatronizingair，”Ihavelongsincegivenupactivebusinessofanykind。WhatIhavecometoyoutodo，I
haveundertaken，forthesakeofmydearnephew，whomIlovemorethanIcouldloveasonofmyown——Now，theHeadofthePolice——towhomthePresidentoftheCouncilsaidafewwordsinhisearasregardsyourself，intalkingtoMonsieurChapuzot——thinksasthepoliceoughtnottoappearinamatterofthisdescription，youunderstand。Theygavemynephewafreehand，butmynephewwillhavenothingtosaytoit，exceptasbeforetheCouncil；hewillnotbeseeninit。””Thenyournephewis——””Youhavehitit，andIamratherproudofhim，”saidshe，interruptingthelawyer，”forheismypupil，andhesooncouldteachhisteacher——Wehaveconsideredthiscase，andhavecometoourownconclusions。Willyouhandoverthirtythousandfrancstohavethewholethingtakenoffyourhands？Iwillmakeacleansweepofall，andyouneednotpaytillthejobisdone。””Doyouknowthepersonsconcerned？””No，mydearsir；Ilookforinformationfromyou。Whatwearetoldis，thatacertainoldidiothasfallenintotheclutchesofawidow。
Thiswidow，ofnine-and-twenty，hasplayedhercardssowell，thatshehasfortythousandfrancsayear，ofwhichshehasrobbedtwofathersoffamilies。Sheisnowabouttoswallowdowneightythousandfrancsayearbymarryinganoldboyofsixty-one。Shewillthusruinarespectablefamily，andhandoverthisvastfortunetothechildofsomeloverbygettingridatonceoftheoldhusband——Thatisthecaseasstated。””Quitecorrect，”saidVictorin。”Myfather-in-law，MonsieurCrevel——””Formerlyaperfumer，amayor——yes，IliveinhisdistrictunderthenameofMa’ameNourrisson，”saidthewoman。”TheotherpersonisMadameMarneffe。””Idonotknow，”saidMadamedeSaint-Esteve。”ButwithinthreedaysI
willbeinapositiontocounthershifts。””Canyouhinderthemarriage？”askedVictorin。”Howfarhavetheygot？””Tothesecondtimeofasking。””Wemustcarryoffthewoman——To-dayisSunday——therearebutthreedays，fortheywillbemarriedonWednesday，nodoubt；itisimpossible——Butshemaybekilled——”
VictorinHulotstartedwithanhonestman’shorrorathearingthesefivewordsutteredincoldblood。”Murder？”saidhe。”Andhowcouldyoudoit？””Forfortyyears，now，monsieur，wehaveplayedthepartoffate，”
repliedshe，withterriblepride，”anddojustwhatwewillinParis。
Morethanonefamily——evenintheFaubourgSaint-Germain——hastoldmeallitssecrets，Icantellyou。Ihavemadeandspoiledmanyamatch，Ihavedestroyedmanyawillandsavedmanyaman’shonor。Ihaveinthere，”andshetappedherforehead，”astoreofsecretswhichareworththirty-sixthousandfrancsayeartome；andyou——youwillbeoneofmylambs，hoh！CouldsuchawomanasIambewhatIamifsherevealedherwaysandmeans？Iact。”WhateverImaydo，sir，willbetheresultofanaccident；youneedfeelnoremorse。Youwillbelikeamancuredbyaclairvoyant；bytheendofamonth，itseemsalltheworkofNature。”
Victorinbrokeoutinacoldsweat。ThesightofanexecutionerwouldhaveshockedhimlessthanthisprolixandpretentiousSisteroftheHulks。Ashelookedatherpurple-redgown，sheseemedtohimdyedinblood。”Madame，Idonotacceptthehelpofyourexperienceandskillifsuccessistocostanybody’slife，ortheleastcriminalactistocomeofit。””Youareagreatbaby，monsieur，”repliedthewoman；”youwishtoremainblamelessinyourowneyes，whileyouwantyourenemytobeoverthrown。”
Victorinshookhisheadindenial。”Yes，”shewenton，”youwantthisMadameMarneffetodropthepreyshehasbetweenherteeth。Buthowdoyouexpecttomakeatigerdrophispieceofbeef？Canyoudoitbypattinghisbackandsaying，’PoorPuss’？Youareillogical。Youwantabattlefought，butyouobjecttoblows——Well，Igrantyoutheinnocenceyouaresocarefulover。I
havealwaysfoundthattherewasmaterialforhypocrisyinhonesty！
Oneday，threemonthshence，apoorpriestwillcometobegofyoufortythousandfrancsforapiouswork——aconventtoberebuiltintheLevant——inthedesert——Ifyouaresatisfiedwithyourlot，givethegoodmanthemoney。Youwillpaymorethanthatintothetreasury。Itwillbeameretrifleincomparisonwithwhatyouwillget，Icantellyou。”
Sherose，standingonthebroadfeetthatseemedtooverflowhersatinshoes；shesmiled，bowed，andvanished。”TheDevilhasasister，”saidVictorin，rising。
Hesawthehideousstrangertothedoor，acreaturecalledupfromthedensofthepolice，asonthestageamonstercomesupfromthethirdcellaratthetouchofafairy’swandinaballet-extravaganza。
AfterfinishingwhathehadtodoattheCourts，VictorinwenttocallonMonsieurChapuzot，theheadofoneofthemostimportantbranchesoftheCentralPolice，tomakesomeinquiriesaboutthestranger。
FindingMonsieurChapuzotaloneinhisoffice，Victorinthankedhimforhishelp。”YousentmeanoldwomanwhomightstandfortheincarnationofthecriminalsideofParis。”
MonsieurChapuzotlaidhisspectaclesonhispapersandlookedatthelawyerwithastonishment。”Ishouldnothavetakenthelibertyofsendinganybodytoseeyouwithoutgivingyounoticebeforehand，oralineofintroduction，”saidhe。”ThenitwasMonsieurlePrefet——？””Ithinknot，”saidChapuzot。”ThelasttimethatthePrincedeWissembourgdinedwiththeMinisteroftheInterior，hespoketothePrefetofthepositioninwhichyoufindyourself——adeplorableposition——andaskedhimifyoucouldbehelpedinanyfriendlyway。
ThePrefet，whowasinterestedbytheregretshisExcellencyexpressedastothisfamilyaffair，didmethehonortoconsultmeaboutit。”EversincethepresentPrefethasheldthereinsofthisdepartment——
sousefulandsovilified——hehasmadeitarulethatfamilymattersarenevertobeinterferedin。Heisrightinprincipleandinmorality；butinpracticeheiswrong。Intheforty-fiveyearsthatI
haveservedinthepolice，itdid，from1799till1815，greatservicesinfamilyconcerns。Since1820aconstitutionalgovernmentandthepresshavecompletelyalteredtheconditionsofexistence。Somyadvice，indeed，wasnottointerveneinsuchacase，andthePrefetdidmethehonortoagreewithmyremarks。TheHeadofthedetectivebranchhasorders，inmypresence，totakenosteps；soifyouhavehadanyonesenttoyoubyhim，hewillbereprimanded。Itmightcosthimhisplace。’ThePolicewilldothisorthat，’iseasilysaid；thePolice，thePolice！But，mydearsir，theMarshalandtheMinisterialCouncildonotknowwhatthePoliceis。ThePolicealoneknowsthePolice；butasforours，onlyFouche，MonsieurLenoir，andMonsieurdeSartineshavehadanynotionofit——Everythingischangednow；wearereducedanddisarmed！Ihaveseenmanyprivatedisastersdevelop，whichIcouldhavecheckedwithfivegrainsofdespoticpower——Weshallberegrettedbytheverymenwhohavecrippleduswhenthey，likeyou，standfacetofacewithsomemoralmonstrosities，whichoughttobesweptawayaswesweepawaymud！InpublicaffairsthePoliceisexpectedtoforeseeeverything，orwhenthesafetyofthepublicisinvolved——butthefamily？——Itissacred！IwoulddomyutmosttodiscoverandhinderaplotagainsttheKing’slife，Iwouldseethroughthewallsofahouse；butastolayingafingeronahousehold，orpeepingintoprivateinterests——never，solongasIsitinthisoffice。Ishouldbeafraid。””Ofwhat？””OfthePress，MonsieurleDepute，oftheleftcentre。””What，then，canIdo？”saidHulot，afterapause。”Well，youaretheFamily，”saidtheofficial。”Thatsettlesit；youcandowhatyouplease。Butastohelpingyou，astousingthePoliceasaninstrumentofprivatefeelings，andinterests，howisitpossible？Therelies，yousee，thesecretofthepersecution，necessary，butpronouncedillegal，bytheBench，whichwasbroughttobearagainstthepredecessorofourpresentchiefdetective。Bibi-
Lupinundertookinvestigationsforthebenefitofprivatepersons。
Thismighthaveledtogreatsocialdangers。Withthemeansathiscommand，themanwouldhavebeenformidable，anunderlyingfate——””Butinmyplace？”saidHulot。”Why，youaskmyadvice？Youwhosellit！”repliedMonsieurChapuzot。”Come，come，mydearsir，youaremakingfunofme。”
Hulotbowedtothefunctionary，andwentawaywithoutseeingthatgentleman’salmostimperceptibleshrugasherosetoopenthedoor。”Andhewantstobeastatesman！”saidChapuzottohimselfashereturnedtohisreports。
Victorinwenthome，stillfullofperplexitieswhichhecouldconfidetonoone。
AtdinnertheBaronessjoyfullyannouncedtoherchildrenthatwithinamonththeirfathermightbesharingtheircomforts，andendhisdaysinpeaceamonghisfamily。”Oh，IwouldgladlygivemythreethousandsixhundredfrancsayeartoseetheBaronhere！”criedLisbeth。”But，mydearAdeline，donotdreambeforehandofsuchhappiness，Ientreatyou！””Lisbethisright，”saidCelestine。”Mydearmother，waittilltheend。”
TheBaroness，allfeelingandallhope，relatedhervisittoJosepha，expressedhersenseofthemiseryofsuchwomeninthemidstofgoodfortune，andmentionedChardinthemattress-picker，thefatheroftheOranstorekeeper，thusshowingthatherhopeswerenotgroundless。
BysevennextmorningLisbethhaddriveninahackneycoachtotheQuaidelaTournelle，andstoppedthevehicleatthecorneroftheRuedePoissy。”GototheRuedesBernardins，”saidshetothedriver，”No。7，ahousewithanentryandnoporter。Gouptothefourthfloor，ringatthedoortotheleft，onwhichyouwillsee’MademoiselleChardin——
Laceandshawlsmended。’Shewillanswerthedoor。AskfortheChevalier。Shewillsayheisout。Sayinreply，’Yes，Iknow，butfindhim，forhis/bonne/isoutonthequayinacoach，andwantstoseehim。’”
Twentyminuteslater，anoldman，wholookedabouteighty，withperfectlywhitehair，andanosereddenedbythecold，andapale，wrinkledfacelikeanoldwoman’s，cameshufflingslowlyalonginlistslippers，ashinyalpacaovercoathangingonhisstoopingshoulders，noribbonathisbuttonhole，thesleevesofanunder-vestshowingbelowhiscoat-cuffs，andhisshirt-frontunpleasantlydingy。Heapproachedtimidly，lookedatthecoach，recognizedLisbeth，andcametothewindow。”Why，mydearcousin，whatastateyouarein！””Elodiekeepseverythingforherself，”saidBaronHulot。”ThoseChardinsareablackguardcrew。””Willyoucomehometous？””Oh，no，no！”criedtheoldman。”IwouldrathergotoAmerica。””Adelineisonthescent。””Oh，ifonlysomeonewouldpaymydebts！”saidtheBaron，withasuspiciouslook，”forSamanonisafterme。””Wehavenotpaidupthearrearsyet；yoursonstillowesahundredthousandfrancs。””Poorboy！””Andyourpensionwillnotbefreebeforesevenoreightmonths——Ifyouwillwaitaminute，Ihavetwothousandfrancshere。”
TheBaronheldouthishandwithfearfulavidity。”Giveitme，Lisbeth，andmayGodrewardyou！Giveitme；Iknowwheretogo。””Butyouwilltellme，oldwretch？””Yes，yes。ThenIcanwaiteightmonths，forIhavediscoveredalittleangel，agoodchild，aninnocentthingnotoldenoughtobedepraved。””Donotforgetthepolice-court，”saidLisbeth，whoflatteredherselfthatshewouldsomedayseeHulotthere。”No——ItisintheRuedeCharonne，”saidtheBaron，”apartofthetownwherenofussismadeaboutanything。Noonewilleverfindmethere。IamcalledPereThorec，Lisbeth，andIshallbetakenforaretiredcabinet-maker；thegirlisfondofme，andIwillnotallowmybacktobeshornanymore。””No，thathasbeendone，”saidLisbeth，lookingathiscoat。”SupposingItakeyouthere。”
BaronHulotgotintothecoach，desertingMademoiselleElodiewithouttakingleaveofher，ashemighthavetossedasideanovelhehadfinished。
Inhalfanhour，duringwhichBaronHulottalkedtoLisbethofnothingbutlittleAtalaJudici——forhehadfallenbydegreestothosebasepassionsthatruinoldmen——shesethimdownwithtwothousandfrancsinhispocket，intheRuedeCharonne，FaubourgSaint-Antoine，atthedoorofadoubtfulandsinister-lookinghouse。”Good-day，cousin；sonowyouaretobecalledThorec，Isuppose？Sendnonebutcommissionairesifyouneedme，andalwaystakethemfromdifferentparts。””Trustme！Oh，Iamreallyverylucky！”saidtheBaron，hisfacebeamingwiththeprospectofnewandfuturehappiness。”Noonecanfindhimthere，”saidLisbeth；andshepaidthecoachattheBoulevardBeaumarchais，andreturnedtotheRueLouis-le-Grandintheomnibus。
OnthefollowingdayCrevelwasannouncedatthehourwhenallthefamilyweretogetherinthedrawing-room，justafterbreakfast。
Celestineflewtothrowherarmsroundherfather’sneck，andbehavedasifshehadseenhimonlythedaybefore，thoughinfacthehadnotcalledthereformorethantwoyears。”Good-morning，father，”saidVictorin，offeringhishand。”Good-morning，children，”saidthepompousCrevel。”MadamelaBaronne，Ithrowmyselfatyourfeet！GoodHeavens，howthechildrengrow！theyarepushingusofftheperch——’Grand-pa，’theysay，’wewantourturninthesunshine。’——MadamelaComtesse，youareaslovelyasever，”hewenton，addressingHortense——”Ah，ha！andhereisthebestofgoodmoney：CousinBetty，theWiseVirgin。””Why，youarereallyverycomfortablehere，”saidhe，afterscatteringthesegreetingswithacackleofloudlaughterthathardlymovedtherubicundmusclesofhisbroadface。
Helookedathisdaughterwithsomecontempt。”MydearCelestine，IwillmakeyouapresentofallmyfurnitureoutoftheRuedesSaussayes；itwilljustdohere。Yourdrawing-roomwantsfurnishingup——Ha！thereisthatlittlerogueWenceslas。Well，andareweverygoodchildren，Iwonder？Youmusthaveprettymanners，youknow。””Tomakeupforthosewhohavenone，”saidLisbeth。”Thatsarcasm，mydearLisbeth，haslostitssting。Iamgoing，mydearchildren，toputanendtothefalsepositioninwhichIhavesolongbeenplaced；Ihavecome，likeagoodfather，toannouncemyapproachingmarriagewithoutanycircumlocution。””Youhaveaperfectrighttomarry，”saidVictorin。”Andformypart，IgiveyoubackthepromiseyoumademewhenyougavemethehandofmydearCelestine——””Whatpromise？”saidCrevel。”Nottomarry，”repliedthelawyer。”YouwilldomethejusticetoallowthatIdidnotaskyoutopledgeyourself，thatyougaveyourwordquitevoluntarilyandinspiteofmydesire，forIpointedouttoyouatthetimethatyouwereunwisetobindyourself。””Yes，Idoremember，mydearfellow，”saidCrevel，ashamedofhimself。”But，onmyhonor，ifyouwillbutlivewithMadameCrevel，mychildren，youwillfindnoreasontorepent——Yourgoodfeelingtouchesme，Victorin，andyouwillfindthatgenerositytomeisnotunrewarded——Come，bythePoker！welcomeyourstepmotherandcometothewedding。””Butyouhavenottoldusthelady’sname，papa，”saidCelestine。”Why，itisanopensecret，”repliedCrevel。”Donotletusplayatguesswhocan！Lisbethmusthavetoldyou。””MydearMonsieurCrevel，”repliedLisbeth，”therearecertainnamesweneverutterhere——””Well，then，itisMadameMarneffe。””MonsieurCrevel，”saidthelawyerverysternly，”neithermywifenorIcanbepresentatthatmarriage；notoutofinterest，forIspokeinallsincerityjustnow。Yes，Iammosthappytothinkthatyoumayfindhappinessinthisunion；butIactonconsiderationsofhonorandgoodfeelingwhichyoumustunderstand，andwhichIcannotspeakofhere，astheyreopenwoundsstillreadytobleed——”
TheBaronesstelegraphedasignaltoHortense，whotuckedherlittleoneunderherarm，saying，”ComeWenceslas，andhaveyourbath！——Good-
bye，MonsieurCrevel。”
TheBaronessalsobowedtoCrevelwithoutaword；andCrevelcouldnothelpsmilingatthechild’sastonishmentwhenthreatenedwiththisimpromptutubbing。”You，monsieur，”saidVictorin，whenhefoundhimselfalonewithLisbeth，hiswife，andhisfather-in-law，”areabouttomarryawomanloadedwiththespoilsofmyfather；itwasshewho，incoldblood，broughthimdowntosuchdepths；awomanwhoistheson-in-law’smistressafterruiningthefather-in-law；whoisthecauseofconstantgrieftomysister！——AndyoufancythatIshallseemtosanctionyourmadnessbymypresence？Ideeplypityyou，dearMonsieurCrevel；youhavenofamilyfeeling；youdonotunderstandtheunityofthehonorwhichbindsthemembersofittogether。Thereisnoarguingwithpassion——asIhavetoomuchreasontoknow。Theslavesoftheirpassionsareasdeafastheyareblind。YourdaughterCelestinehastoostrongasenseofherdutytoprofferawordofreproach。””Thatwould，indeed，beaprettything！”criedCrevel，tryingtocutshortthisharangue。”Celestinewouldnotbemywifeifshemadetheslightestremonstrance，”thelawyerwenton。”ButI，atleast，maytrytostopyoubeforeyoustepovertheprecipice，especiallyaftergivingyouampleproofofmydisinterestedness。Itisnotyourfortune，itisyouthatIcareabout。Nay，tomakeitquiteplaintoyou，Imayadd，ifitwereonlytosetyourmindateasewithregardtoyourmarriagecontract，thatIamnowinapositionwhichleavesmewithnothingtowishfor——””Thankstome！”exclaimedCrevel，whosefacewaspurple。”ThankstoCelestine’sfortune，”repliedVictorin。”Andifyouregrethavinggiventoyourdaughterasapresentfromyourself，asumwhichisnothalfwhathermotherlefther，Icanonlysaythatwearepreparedtogiveitback。””Anddoyounotknow，myrespectedson-in-law，”saidCrevel，strikinganattitude，”thatundertheshelterofmynameMadameMarneffeisnotcalledupontoanswerforherconductexceptingasmywife——asMadameCrevel？””Thatis，nodoubt，quitethecorrectthing，”saidthelawyer；”verygeneroussofarastheaffectionsareconcernedandthevagariesofpassion；butIknowofnoname，norlaw，nortitlethatcanshelterthetheftofthreehundredthousandfrancssomeanlywrungfrommyfather！——Itellyouplainly，mydearfather-in-law，yourfuturewifeisunworthyofyou，sheisfalsetoyou，andismadlyinlovewithmybrother-in-law，Steinbock，whosedebtsshehadpaid。””ItisIwhopaidthem！””Verygood，”saidHulot；”IamgladforCountSteinbock’ssake；hemaysomedayrepaythemoney。Butheisloved，muchloved，andoften——””Loved！”criedCrevel，whosefaceshowedhisutterbewilderment。”Itiscowardly，anddirty，andmean，andcheap，tocalumniateawoman！——
Whenamansayssuchthings，monsieur，hemustbringproof。””Iwillbringproof。””Ishallexpectit。””Bythedayafterto-morrow，mydearMonsieurCrevel，Ishallbeabletotellyoutheday，thehour，theveryminutewhenIcanexposethehorribledepravityofyourfuturewife。””Verywell；Ishallbedelighted，”saidCrevel，whohadrecoveredhimself。”Good-bye，mychildren，forthepresent；good-bye，Lisbeth。””Seehimout，Lisbeth，”saidCelestineinanundertone。”Andisthisthewayyoutakeyourselfoff？”criedLisbethtoCrevel。”Ah，ha！”saidCrevel，”myson-in-lawistoocleverbyhalf；heisgettingon。TheCourtsandtheChamber，judicialtrickeryandpoliticaldodges，aremakingamanofhimwithavengeance！——SoheknowsIamtobemarriedonWednesday，andonaSundaymygentlemanproposestofixthehour，withinthreedays，whenhecanprovethatmywifeisunworthyofme。Thatisagoodstory！——Well，Iamgoingbacktosignthecontract。Comewithme，Lisbeth——yes，come。Theywillneverknow。ImeanttohaveleftCelestinefortythousandfrancsayear；butHulothasjustbehavedinawaytoalienatemyaffectionforever。””Givemetenminutes，PereCrevel；waitformeinyourcarriageatthegate。Iwillmakesomeexcuseforgoingout。””Verywell——allright。””Mydears，”saidLisbeth，whofoundallthefamilyreassembledinthedrawing-room，”IamgoingwithCrevel：themarriagecontractistobesignedthisafternoon，andIshallhearwhathehassettled。Itwillprobablybemylastvisittothatwoman。Yourfatherisfurious；hewilldisinherityou——””Hisvanitywillpreventthat，”saidtheson-in-law。”HewasbentonowningtheestateofPresles，andhewillkeepit；Iknowhim。Evenifheweretohavechildren，Celestinewouldstillhavehalfofwhathemightleave；thelawforbidshisgivingawayallhisfortune——Still，thesequestionsarenothingtome；Iamonlythinkingofourhonor——
Gothen，cousin，”andhepressedLisbeth’shand，”andlistencarefullytothecontract。”
