Sheshallgotoashop，andgetnothingfromme。Shehasn’tasou;letherdoaswedid，——work。\"
Vinetdeparted，havingputhisplanintoSylvie’shead，herdoggedobstinacybeingwell—knowntohim。Theoldmaid，hewascertain，wouldthinktheschemeherown，andcarryitout。
Thelawyerfoundthecolonelinthesquare，smokingacigarwhilehewaitedforhim。
\"Halt！\"saidGouraud;\"youhavepulledmedown，butstonesenoughcamewithmetoburyyou——\"
\"Colonel！——\"
\"Colonelornot，Ishallgiveyouyourdeserts。Inthefirstplace，youshallnotbedeputy——\"
\"Colonel！——\"
\"Icontroltenvotesandtheelectiondependson——\"
\"Colonel，listentome。IstherenoonetomarrybutthatoldSylvie？
Ihavejustbeendefendingyoutoher;youareaccusedandconvictedofwritingtoPierrette;shesawyouleaveyourhouseatmidnightandcometothegirl’swindow——\"
\"Stuffandnonsense！\"
\"ShemeanstomarryherbrothertoBathildeandleaveherfortunetotheirchildren。\"
\"Rogronwon’thaveany。\"
\"Yeshewill，\"repliedVinet。\"ButIpromisetofindyousomeyoungandagreeablewomanwithahundredandfiftythousandfrancs？Don’tbeafool;howcanyouandIaffordtoquarrel？Thingshavegoneagainstyouinspiteofallmycare;butyoudon’tunderstandme。\"
\"Thenwemustunderstandeachother，\"saidthecolonel。\"Getmeawifewithahundredandfiftythousandfrancsbeforetheelections;ifnot——lookoutforyourself！Idon’tlikeunpleasantbed—fellows，andyou’vepulledtheblanketsallovertoyourside。Good—evening。\"
\"Youshallsee，\"saidVinet，graspingthecolonel’shandaffectionately。
*****
Aboutoneo’clockthatnightthreeclear，sharpcriesofanowl，wonderfullywellimitated，echoedthroughthesquare。Pierretteheardtheminherfeverishsleep;shejumpedup，moistwithperspiration，openedherwindow，sawBrigaut，andflungdownaballofsilk，towhichhefastenedaletter。Sylvie，agitatedbytheeventsofthedayandherownindecisionofmind，wasnotasleep;sheheardtheowl。
\"Ah，birdofill—omen！\"shethought。\"Why，Pierretteisgettingup！
Whatissheafter？\"
Hearingtheatticwindowopensoftly，Sylvierushedtoherownwindowandheardtherustleofpaperagainstherblinds。Shefastenedthestringsofherbed—gownandwentquicklyupstairstoPierrette’sroom，whereshefoundthepoorgirlunwindingthesilkandfreeingtheletter。
\"Ha！I’vecaughtyou！\"criedtheoldwoman，rushingtothewindow，fromwhichshesawJacquesrunningatfullspeed。\"Givemethatletter。\"
\"No，cousin，\"saidPierrette，who，byoneofthosestronginspirationsofyouthsustainedbyherownsoul，rosetoagrandeurofresistancesuchasweadmireinthehistoryofcertainpeoplesreducedtodespair。
\"Ha！youwillnot？\"criedSylvie，advancinguponthegirlwithafacefullofhatredandfury。
Pierrettefellbacktogettimetoputherletterinherhand，whichsheclenchedwithunnaturalforce。SeeingthismanoeuvreSylviegraspedthedelicatewhitehandofthegirlinherlobsterclawsandtriedtoopenit。Itwasafrightfulstruggle，aninfamousstruggle;
itwasmorethanaphysicalstruggle;itassailedthemind，thesoletreasureofthehumanbeing，thethought，whichGodhasplacedbeyondallearthlypowerandguardsasthesecretwaybetweenthesuffererandHimself。Thetwowomen，onedying，theotherinthevigorofhealth，lookedateachotherfixedly。Pierrette’seyesdartedonherexecutionerthelookthefamousTemplarontherackcastuponPhilippeleBel，whocouldnotbearitandfledthunderstricken。Sylvie，awomanandajealouswoman，answeredthatmagneticlookwithmalignantflashes。Adreadfulsilencereigned。TheclenchedhandoftheBretongirlresistedhercousin’seffortslikeablockofsteel。SylvietwistedPierrette’sarm，shetriedtoforcethefingersopen;unabletodososhestuckhernailsintotheflesh。Atlast，inhermadness，shesetherteethintothewrist，tryingtoconquerthegirlbypain。
Pierrettedefiedherstill，withthatsameterribleglanceofinnocence。Theangeroftheoldmaidgrewtosuchapitchthatitbecameblindfury。SheseizedPierrette’sarmandstrucktheclosedfistuponthewindow—sill，andthenuponthemarbleofthemantelpiece，aswecrackanuttogetthekernel。
\"Help！help！\"criedPierrette，\"theyaremurderingme！\"
\"Ha！youmaywellscream，whenIcatchyouwithaloverinthedeadofnight。\"
Andshebeatthehandpitilessly。
\"Help！help！\"criedPierrette，thebloodflowing。
Atthatinstant，loudknockswereheardatthefrontdoor。Exhausted，thetwowomenpausedamoment。
Rogron，awakenedanduneasy，notknowingwhatwashappening，hadgotup，gonetohissister’sroom，andnotfindingherwasfrightened。
Hearingtheknockshewentdown，unfastenedthefrontdoor，andwasnearlyknockedoverbyBrigaut，followedbyasortofphantom。
AtthismomentSylvie’seyeschancedtofallonPierrette’scorset，andsherememberedthepapers。Releasingthegirl’swristshespranguponthecorsetlikeatigeronitsprey，andshowedittoPierrettewithasmile，——thesmileofanIroquoisoverhisvictimbeforehescalpshim。
\"Iamdying，\"saidPierrette，fallingonherknees，\"oh，whowillsaveme？\"
\"I！\"saidawomanwithwhitehairandanagedparchmentface，inwhichtwograyeyesglittered。
\"Ah！grandmother，youhavecometoolate，\"criedthepoorchild，burstingintotears。
Pierrettefelluponherbed，herstrengthallgone，half—deadwiththeexhaustionwhich，inherfeeblestate，followedsoviolentastruggle。
Thetallgraywomantookherinherarms，asanurseliftsachild，andwentout，followedbyBrigaut，withoutawordtoSylvie，onwhomshecastoneglanceofmajesticaccusation。
Theapparitionofthataugustoldwoman，inherBretoncostume，shroudedinhercoif（asortofhoodedmantleofblackcloth），accompaniedbyBrigaut，appalledSylvie;shefanciedshesawdeath。
Sheslowlywentdownthestairs，listenedtothefrontdoorclosingbehindthem，andcamefacetofacewithherbrother，whoexclaimed：
\"Thentheyhaven’tkilledyou？\"
\"Gotobed，\"saidSylvie。\"To—morrowwewillseewhatwemustdo。\"
Shewentbacktoherownbed，rippedopenthecorset，andreadBrigaut’stwoletters，whichconfoundedher。Shewenttosleepinthegreatestperplexity，——notimaginingtheterribleresultstowhichherconductwastolead。
*****
TheletterssentbyBrigauttooldMadameLorrainreachedherinamomentofineffablejoy，whichtheperusalofthemtroubled。ThepooroldwomanhadgrieveddeeplyinlivingwithoutherPierrettebesideher，butshehadconsoledherlonelinesswiththethoughtthatthesacrificeofherselfwasintheinterestsofhergrandchild。Shewasblessedwithoneofthoseever—youngheartswhichareupheldandinvigoratedbytheideaofsacrifice。Heroldhusband，whoseonlyjoywashislittlegranddaughter，hadgrievedforPierrette;everydayhehadseemedtolookforher。Itwasanoldman’sgrief，——onwhichsucholdmenlive，ofwhichtheydie。
Everyonecannowimaginethehappinesswhichthispooroldwoman，livinginasortofalmshouse，feltwhenshelearnedofagenerousaction，rareindeedbutnotimpossibleinFrance。TheheadofthehouseofCollinet，whosefailurein1814hadcausedtheLorrainsalossoftwenty—fourthousandfrancs，hadgonetoAmericawithhischildrenafterhisdisasters。Hehadtoohighacouragetoremainaruinedman。AfterelevenyearsofuntoldeffortcrownedbysuccesshereturnedtoNantestorecoverhisposition，leavinghiseldestsoninchargeofhistransatlantichouse。HefoundMadameLorrainofPen—HoelintheinstitutionofSaint—Jacques，andwaswitnessoftheresignationwithwhichthismostunfortunateofhiscreditorsborehermisery。
\"Godforgiveyou！\"saidtheoldwoman，\"sinceyougivemeonthebordersofmygravethemeansofsecuringthehappinessofmydeargranddaughter;butalas！itwillnotclearthedebtsofmypoorhusband！\"
MonsieurCollinetmadeovertothewidowboththecapitalandtheaccruedinterest，amountingtoaboutforty—twothousandfrancs。Hisothercreditors，prosperous，rich，andintelligentmerchants，hadeasilyborntheirlosses，whereasthemisfortunesoftheLorrainsseemedsoirremediabletooldMonsieurCollinetthathepromisedthewidowtopayoffherhusband’sdebts，totheamountoffortythousandfrancsmore。WhentheBourseofNantesheardofthisgenerousreparationtheywishedtoreceiveCollinettotheirboardbeforehiscertificatesweregrantedbytheRoyalcourtatRennes;butthemerchantrefusedthehonor，preferringtosubmittotheordinarycommercialrule。
MadameLorrainhadreceivedthemoneyonlythedaybeforethepostbroughtherBrigaut’sletter，enclosingthatofPierrette。Herfirstthoughthadbeen，asshesignedthereceipt：\"NowIcanlivewithmyPierretteandmarryhertothatgoodBrigaut，whowillmakeafortunewithmymoney。\"
ThereforethemomentshehadreadthefatallettersshemadeinstantpreparationstostartforProvins。SheleftNantesthatnightbythemail;forsomeonehadexplainedtoheritscelerity。InParisshetookthediligenceforTroyes，whichpassesthroughProvins，andbyhalf—pastelevenatnightshereachedFrappier’s，whereBrigaut，shockedatherdespairinglooks，toldherofPierrette’sstateandpromisedtobringthepoorgirltoherinstantly。Hiswordssoterrifiedthegrandmotherthatshecouldnotcontrolherimpatienceandfollowedhimtothesquare。WhenPierrettescreamed，thehorrorofthatcrywenttoherheartassharplyasitdidtoBrigaut’s。TogethertheywouldhaverousedtheneighborhoodifRogron，inhisterror，hadnotopenedthedoor。ThescreamoftheyounggirlatbaygavehergrandmotherthesuddenstrengthofangerwithwhichshecarriedherdearPierretteinherarmstoFrappier’shouse，whereMadameFrappierhastilyarrangedBrigaut’sownroomfortheoldwomanandhertreasure。Inthatpoorroom，onabedhalf—made，thesuffererwasdeposited;andthereshefaintedaway，holdingherhandstillclenched，wounded，bleeding，withthenailsdeepbeddedintheflesh。
Brigaut，Frappier，hiswife，andtheoldwomanstoodlookingatPierretteinsilence，allfouroftheminastateofindescribableamazement。
\"Whyisherhandbloody？\"saidthegrandmotheratlast。
Pierrette，overcomebythesleepwhichfollowsallabnormaldisplaysofstrength，anddimlyconsciousthatshewassafefromviolence，graduallyunbentherfingers。Brigaut’sletterfellfromthemlikeananswer。
\"Theytriedtotakemyletterfromher，\"saidBrigaut，fallingonhiskneesandpickingupthelinesinwhichhehadtoldhislittlefriendtocomeinstantlyandsoftlyawayfromthehouse。Hekissedwithpiouslovethemartyr’shand。
Itwasasightthatmadethosepresenttremblewhentheysawtheoldgraywoman，asublimespectre，standingbesidehergrandchild’spillow。Terrorandvengeancewrotetheirfierceexpressionsinthewrinklesthatlinedherskinofyellowivory;herforehead，halfhiddenbythestragglingmeshesofhergrayhair，expressedasolemnanger。Sheread，withapowerofintuitiongiventotheagedwhenneartheirgrave，Pierrette’swholelife，onwhichhermindhaddweltthroughoutherjourney。Shedivinedtheillnessofherdarling，andknewthatshewasthreatenedwithdeath。Twobigtearspainfullyroseinherwangrayeyes，fromwhichhertroubleshadwornbothlashesandeyebrows，twopearlsofanguish，formingwithinthemandgivingthemadreadfulbrightness;theneachtearswelledandrolleddownthewitheredcheek，butdidnotwetit。
\"Theyhavekilledher！\"shesaidatlast，claspingherhands。
Shefellonherkneeswhichstrucksharpblowsonthebrick—laidfloor，makingavownodoubttoSaintAnned’Auray，themostpowerfulofthemadonnasofBrittany。
\"AdoctorfromParis，\"shesaidtoBrigaut。\"Goandfetchone，Brigaut，go！\"
Shetookhimbytheshoulderandgavehimadespoticpushtosendhimfromtheroom。
\"Iwascoming，mylad，whenyouwroteme;Iamrich，——here，takethis，\"shecried，recallinghim，andunfasteningasshespokethestringsthattiedhershort—gown。Thenshedrewapaperfromherbosominwhichwereforty—twobank—bills，saying，\"Takewhatisnecessary，andbringbackthegreatestdoctorinParis。\"
\"Keepthose，\"saidFrappier;\"hecan’tchangethousandfrancnotesnow。Ihavemoney，andthediligencewillbepassingpresently;hecancertainlyfindaplaceonit。ButbeforehegoeswehadbetterconsultDoctorMartener;hewilltellusthebestphysicianinParis。Thediligencewon’tpassforoveranhour，——wehavetimeenough。\"
BrigautwokeupMonsieurMartener，andbroughthimatonce。ThedoctorwasnotalittlesurprisedtofindMademoiselleLorrainatFrappier’s。
BrigauttoldhimofthescenethathadjusttakenplaceattheRogrons’;butevensothedoctordidnotatfirstsuspectthehorrorofit，northeextentoftheinjurydone。MartenergavetheaddressofthecelebratedHoraceBianchon，andBrigautstartedforParisbythediligence。MonsieurMartenerthensatdownandexaminedfirstthebruisedandbloodyhandwhichlayoutsidethebed。
\"Shecouldnothavegiventhesewoundsherself，\"hesaid。
\"No;thehorriblewomantowhomIhadthemisfortunetotrustherwasmurderingher，\"saidthegrandmother。\"MypoorPierrettewasscreaming’Help！help！I’mdying，’——enoughtotouchtheheartofanexecutioner。\"
\"Butwhywasit？\"saidthedoctor，feelingPierrette’spulse。\"Sheisveryill，\"headded，examiningherwithalight。\"Shemusthavesufferedterribly;Idon’tunderstandwhyshehasnotbeenproperlycaredfor。\"
\"Ishallcomplaintotheauthorities，\"saidthegrandmother。\"ThoseRogronsaskedmeformychildinaletter，sayingtheyhadtwelvethousandfrancsayearandwouldtakecareofher;hadtheytherighttomakehertheirservantandforcehertodoworkforwhichshehadnotthestrength？\"
\"Theydidnotchoosetoseethemostvisibleofallmaladiestowhichyounggirlsareliable。Sheneededtheutmostcare，\"criedMonsieurMartener。
PierrettewasawakenedbythelightwhichMadameFrappierwasholdingnearherface，andbythehorriblesufferingsinherheadcausedbythereactionofherstruggle。
\"Ah！MonsieurMartener，Iamveryill，\"shesaidinherprettyvoice。
\"Whereisthepain，mylittlefriend？\"askedthedoctor。
\"Here，\"shesaid，touchingherheadabovetheleftear。
\"There’sanabscess，\"saidthedoctor，afterfeelingtheheadforalongtimeandquestioningPierretteonhersufferings。\"Youmusttellusall，mychild，sothatwemayknowhowtocureyou。Whyisyourhandlikethis？Youcouldnothavegivenyourselfthatwound。\"
PierretterelatedthestrugglebetweenherselfandhercousinSylvie。
\"Makehertalk，\"saidthedoctortothegrandmother，\"andfindoutthewholetruth。IwillawaitthearrivalofthedoctorfromParis;andwewillsendforthesurgeoninchargeofthehospitalhere，andhaveaconsultation。Thecaseseemstomeaveryseriousone。MeantimeIwillsendyouaquietingdraughtsothatmademoisellemaysleep;sheneedssleep。\"
LeftalonewithhergranddaughtertheoldBretonwomanexertedherinfluenceoverthechildandmadehertellall;sheletherknowthatshehadmoneyenoughnowforallthree，andpromisedthatBrigautshouldlivewiththem。Thepoorgirladmittedhermartyrdom，notimaginingtheeventstowhichheradmissionswouldgiverise。ThemonstrosityoftwobeingswithoutaffectionandwithoutconceptionoffamilylifeopenedtotheoldwomanaworldofwoeasfarfromherknowledgeasthemoralsofsavagesmayhaveseemedtothefirstdiscovererswhosetfootinAmerica。
Thearrivalofhergrandmother，thecertaintyoflivingwithherincomfortsoothedPierrette’smindasthesleepingdraughtsoothedherbody。Theoldwomanwatchedherdarling，kissingherforehead，hair，andhands，astheholywomenofoldkissedthehandsofJesuswhentheylaidhiminthetomb。
IX
THEFAMILYCOUNCIL
Atnineo’clockthatmorningMonsieurMartenerwenttoseeMonsieurTiphaine，andrelatedtohimthescenebetweenPierretteandSylvie，andthetorturesofallkinds，moralandphysical，towhichtheRogronshadsubjectedtheircousin，andthetwoalarmingformsofillnesswhichtheircrueltyhaddeveloped。MonsieurTiphainesentforAuffraythenotary，oneofPierrette’sownrelationsonthematernalside。
AtthisparticulartimethewarbetweentheVinetpartyandtheTiphainepartywasatitsheight。ThescandalswhichtheRogronsandtheiradherentsweredisseminatingthroughthetownabouttheliaisonofMadameTiphaine’smotherwiththebankerduTillet，andthebankruptcyofherfather（aforger，theysaid），wereallthemoreexasperatingtotheTiphainesbecausethesethingsweremalicioustruths，notlibels。Suchwoundscutdeep;theygotothequickoffeelingsandofinterests。Thesespeeches，repeatedtothepartisansoftheTiphainesbythesamemouthswhichtoldtheRogronsofthesneersof\"thosewomen\"oftheTiphaineclique，fedthehatredsofbothsides，nowincreasedbythepoliticalelement。TheanimositiescausedatthistimeinFrancebythespiritofparty，theviolencesofwhichwereexcessive，wereeverywheremixedup，asinProvins，withselfishschemesandwoundedorvindictiveindividualinterests。Eachpartyeagerlyseizedonwhatevermightinjuretherivalparty。
Personalhatredsandself—lovemingledasmuchaspoliticalanimosityineventhesmallestmatters，andwerecarriedtohithertounheard—oflengths。Awholetownwouldberousedtoexcitementoversomeprivatestruggle，untilittookthecharacterofapoliticaldebate。
MonsieurTiphaineatonceperceivedinthecaseofPierretteagainsttheRogronsameansofhumbling，mortifying，anddishonoringthemastersofthatsalonwhereplansagainstthemonarchyweremadeandanoppositionjournalborn。Thepublicprosecutorwascalledin;andtogetherwithMonsieurAuffraythenotary，Pierrette’srelation，andMonsieurMartener，acautiousconsultationwasheldintheutmostsecrecyastothepropercoursetofollow。MonsieurMarteneragreedtoadvisePierrette’sgrandmothertoapplytothecourtstohaveAuffrayappointedguardiantohisyoungrelation。Theguardiancouldthenconvenea\"FamilyCouncil，\"and，backedbythetestimonyofthreedoctors，demandthegirl’sreleasefromtheauthorityoftheRogrons。
Theaffairthusmanagedwouldhavetogobeforethecourts，andthepublicprosecutor，MonsieurLesourd，wouldseethatitwastakentoacriminalcourtbydemandinganinquiry。
TowardsmiddayallProvinswasrousedbythestrangenewsofwhathadhappenedduringthenightattheRogrons’。Pierrette’scrieshadbeenfaintlyheard，thoughtheyweresoonover。Noonehadrisentoinquirewhattheymeant，buteveryonesaidthenextday，\"Didyouhearthosescreamsaboutoneinthemorning？\"Gossipandcommentssoonmagnifiedthehorribledrama，andacrowdcollectedinfrontofFrappier’sshop，askingtheworthycabinet—makerforinformation，andhearingfromhimhowPierrettewasbroughttohishousewithherfingersbrokenandthehandbloody。
Towardsoneintheafternoonthepost—chaiseofDoctorBianchon，whowasaccompaniedbyBrigaut，stoppedbeforethehouse，andMadameFrappierwentatoncetosummonMonsieurMartenerandthesurgeoninchargeofthehospital。Thusthegossipofthetownreceivedconfirmation。TheRogronsweredeclaredtohaveill—usedtheircousindeliberately，andtohavecomenearkillingher。Vinetheardthenewswhileattendingtohisbusinessinthelawcourts;helefteverythingandhurriedtotheRogrons。Rogronandhissisterhadjustfinishedbreakfast。Sylviewasreluctanttotellherbrotherofherdiscomfitureofthenightbefore;buthepressedherwithquestions，towhichshewouldmakenoanswerthan，\"That’snotyourbusiness。\"
Shewentandcamefromthekitchentothedining—roomonpretenceofpreparingthebreakfast，butchieflytoavoiddiscussion。ShewasalonewhenVinetentered。
\"Youknowwhat’shappened？\"saidthelawyer。
\"No，\"saidSylvie。
\"Youwillbearrestedonacriminalcharge，\"repliedVinet，\"fromthewaythingsarenowgoingaboutPierrette。\"
\"Acriminalcharge！\"criedRogron，whohadcomeintotheroom。\"Why？
Whatfor？\"
\"Firstofall，\"saidthelawyer，lookingatSylvie，\"explaintomewithoutconcealmentandasifyoustoodbeforeGod，whathappenedinthishouselastnight——theytalkofamputatingPierrette’shand。\"
Sylvieturnedlividandshuddered。
\"Thenthereissometruthinit？\"saidVinet。
MademoiselleRogronrelatedthescene，tryingtoexcuseherself;but，proddedwithquestions，sheacknowledgedthefactsofthehorriblestruggle。
\"Ifyouhaveonlyinjuredherfingersyouwillbetakenbeforethepolicecourtforamisdemeanor;butiftheycutoffherhandyoumaybetriedattheAssizesforaworseoffence。TheTiphaineswilldotheirbesttogetyouthere。\"
Sylvie，moredeadthanalive，confessedherjealousy，and，whatwashardertodo，confessedalsothathersuspicionswereunfounded。
\"Heavens，whatacasethiswillmake！\"criedthelawyer。\"Youandyourbrothermayberuinedbyit;youwillbeabandonedbymostpeoplewhetheryouwinorlose。Ifyoulose，youwillhavetoleaveProvins。\"
\"Oh，mydearMonsieurVinet，youwhoaresuchagreatlawyer，\"saidRogron，terrified，\"adviseus！saveus！\"
ThecraftyVinetworkedtheterrorofthetwoimbecilestoitsutmost，declaringthatMadameandMademoiselledeChargeboeufmightbeunwillingtoentertheirhouseagain。Tobeabandonedbywomenoftheirrankwouldbeaterriblecondemnation。Atlength，afteranhourofadroitmanoeuvring，itwasagreedthatVinetmusthavesomepowerfulmotiveintakingthecase，thatwouldimpressthemindsofallProvinsandexplainhiseffortsonbehalfoftheRogrons。ThismotivetheydeterminedshouldbeRogron’smarriagetoMademoiselledeChargeboeuf;itshouldbeannouncedthatverydayandthebannspublishedonSunday。Thecontractcouldbedrawnimmediately。
MademoiselleRogronagreed，inconsiderationofthemarriage，toappearinthecontractassettlinghercapitalonherbrother，retainingonlytheincomeofit。VinetmadeRogronandhissistercomprehendthenecessityofantedatingthedocumentbytwoorthreedays，soastocommitthemotheranddaughterintheeyesofthepublicandgivethemareasonforcontinuingtheirvisits。
\"SignthatcontractandI’lltakeuponmyselftogetyousafelyoutofthisaffair，\"saidthelawyer。\"Therewillbeaterriblefight;butI
willputmywholesoulintoit——you’llhavetomakemeavotiveoffering。\"
\"Oh，yes，yes，\"saidRogron。
Byhalf—pasteleventhelawyerhadplenarypowerstodrawthecontractandconductthedefenceoftheRogrons。Attwelveo’clockapplicationwasmadetoMonsieurTiphaine，asajudgesittinginchambers，againstBrigautandthewidowLorrainforhavingabductedPierretteLorrain，aminor，fromthehouseofherlegalguardian。InthiswaytheboldlawyerbecametheaggressorandmadeRogrontheinjuredparty。Hespokeofthematterfromthispointofviewinthecourt—house。
Thejudgepostponedthehearingtillfouro’clock。Needlesstodescribetheexcitementinthetown。MonsieurTiphaineknewthatbythreeo’clocktheconsultationofdoctorswouldbeoverandtheirreportdrawnup;hewishedAuffray，assurrogate—guardian，tobeatthehearingarmedwiththatreport。
TheannouncementofRogron’smarriageandthesacrificesmadetoitbySylvieinthecontractalienatedtwoimportantsupportersfromthebrotherandsister，namely，——MademoiselleHabertandthecolonel，whosehopeswerethusannihilated。Theyremained，however，ostensiblyontheRogronsideforthepurposeofinjuringit。Consequently，assoonasMonsieurMartenermentionedthealarmingconditionofPierrette’shead，CelesteandthecoloneltoldoftheblowshehadgivenherselfduringtheeveningwhenSylviehadforcedhertoleavethesalon;andtheyrelatedtheoldmaid’sbarbarousandunfeelingcomments，withotherstatementsprovinghercrueltytohersufferingcousin。Vinethadforeseenthisstorm;buthehadsecuredtheentirefortuneoftheRogronsforMademoiselledeChargeboeuf，andhepromisedhimselfthatinafewweekssheshouldbemistressoftheRogronhouse，andreignwithhimoverProvins，andevenbringaboutafusionwiththeBreauteysandthearistocratsintheinterestsofhisambition。
Frommiddaytofouro’clockalltheladiesoftheTiphainecliquesenttoinquireafterMademoiselleLorrain。She，poorgirl，waswhollyignorantofthecommotionshewascausinginthelittletown。InthemidstofhersufferingsshewasineffablyhappyinrecoveringhergrandmotherandBrigaut，thetwoobjectsofheraffection。Brigaut’seyeswereconstantlyfulloftears。Theoldgrandmothersatbythebedandcaressedherdarling。TothethreedoctorsshetoldeverydetailshehadobtainedfromPierretteastoherlifeintheRogronhouse。
HoraceBianchonexpressedhisindignationinvehementlanguage。
Shockedatsuchbarbarityheinsistedonallthephysiciansinthetownbeingcalledintoseethecase;theconsequencewasthatDr。
Neraud，thefriendoftheRogrons，waspresent。Thereportwasunanimouslysigned。Itisuselesstogiveatextofithere。IfMoliere’smedicaltermswerebarbarous，thoseofmodernsciencehavetheadvantageofbeingsoclearthattheexplanationofPierrette’smalady，thoughnaturalandunfortunatelycommon，horrifiedallears。
Atfouro’clock，aftertheusualrisingofthecourt，presidentTiphaineagaintookhisseat，whenMadameLorrain，accompaniedbyMonsieurAuffrayandBrigautandacrowdofinterestedpersons，enteredthecourt—room。Vinetwasalone。Thiscontraststruckthemindsofthosepresent。Thelawyer，whostillworehisrobe，turnedhiscoldfacetothejudge，settledhisspectaclesonhispallidgreeneyes，andtheninashrill，persistentvoicehestatedthattwostrangershadforcedthemselvesatnightintotheRogrondomicileandhadabductedtherefromtheminorLorrain。Thelegalrightswerewiththeguardian，whonowdemandedtherestorationofhisward。
MonsieurAuffrayrose，assurrogate—guardian，andrequestedtobeheard。
\"Ifthejudge，\"hesaid，\"willadmitthereport，whichIholdinmyhand，signedbyoneofthemostfamousphysiciansinParis，andbyallthephysiciansinProvins，hewillunderstandnotonlythatthedemandoftheSieurRogronissenseless，butalsothatthegrandmotheroftheminorhadgravecausetoinstantlyremoveherfromherpersecutors。
Herearethefacts。Thereportofthesephysiciansattributethealmostdyingconditionofthesaidminortotheill—treatmentshehasreceivedfromtheSieurRogronandhissister。Weshall，asthelawdirects，convokeaFamilyCouncilwiththeleastpossibledelay，anddiscussthequestionastowhetherornottheguardianshouldbedeposed。Andwenowaskthattheminorbenotreturnedtothedomicileofthesaidguardianbutthatshebeconfidedtosomememberofherfamilywhoshallbedesignatedbythejudge。\"
Vinetreplied，declaringthatthephysicians’reportoughttohavebeensubmittedtohiminorderthathemighthavedisprovedit。
\"Notsubmittedtoyourside，\"saidthejudge，severely，\"butpossiblytothe/procureurduroi/。Thecaseisheard。\"
Thejudgethenwroteatthebottomofthepetitionthefollowingorder：——
\"Whereasitappears，fromadeliberateandunanimousreportofallthephysiciansofthistown，togetherwithDoctorBianchonofthemedicalfacultyofParis，thattheminorLorrain，claimedbyJerome—DenisRogron，herguardian，isextremelyillinconsequenceofill—treatmentandpersonalassaultinthehouseofthesaidguardianandhissister：
\"We，presidentofthecourtofProvins，passinguponthesaidpetition，orderthatuntiltheFamilyCouncilisheldtheminorLorrainisnottobereturnedtothehouseholdofhersaidguardian，butshallbekeptinthatofhersurrogate—guardian。
\"Andfurther，consideringthestateinwhichthesaidminornowis，andthetracesofviolencewhich，accordingtothereportofthephysicians，arenowuponherperson，wecommissiontheattendingphysicianandthesurgeoninchargeofthehospitalofProvinstovisither，andincasetheinjuriesfromthesaidassaultbecomealarming，thematterwillbeheldtoawaittheactionofthecriminalcourts;andthiswithoutprejudicetothecivilsuitundertakenbyAuffraythesurrogate—guardian。\"
ThisseverejudgmentwasreadoutbyPresidentTiphaineinaloudanddistinctvoice。
\"Whynotsendthemtothegalleysatonce？\"saidVinet。\"Andallthisfussaboutagirlwhowascarryingonanintriguewithanapprenticetoacabinet—maker！Ifthecasegoesoninthisway，\"hecried，insolently，\"weshalldemandotherjudgesonthegroundoflegitimatesuspicion。\"
Vinetleftthecourt—room，andwentamongthechiefmenofhispartytoexplainRogron’sposition，declaringthathehadneversomuchasgivenafliptohiscousin，andthatthejudgehadviewedhimmuchlessasPierrette’sguardianthanasaleadingelectorinProvins。
TohearVinet，peoplemighthavesupposedthattheTiphainesweremakingagreatfussaboutnothing;themountingwasbringingforthamouse。Sylvie，aneminentlyvirtuousandpiouswoman，haddiscoveredanintriguebetweenherbrother’swardandaworkman，aBretonnamedBrigaut。Thescoundrelknewverywellthatthegirlwouldhavehergrandmother’smoney，andhewishedtoseduceher（Vinettotalkofthat！）。MademoiselleRogron，whohaddiscoveredlettersprovingthedepravityofthegirl，wasnotasmuchtoblameastheTiphainesweretryingtomakeout。Ifshedidusesomeviolencetogetpossessionofthoseletters（whichwasnowonder，whenweconsiderwhatBretonobstinacyis），howcouldRogronbeconsideredresponsibleforallthat？
Thelawyerwentontomakethematterapartisanaffair，andtogiveitapoliticalcolor。
\"Theywholistentoonlyonebellhearonlyonesound，\"saidthewisemen。\"HaveyouheardwhatVinetsays？Vinetexplainsthingsclearly。\"
Frappier’shousebeingthoughtinjurioustoPierrette，owingtothenoiseinthestreetwhichincreasedthesufferingsinherhead，shewastakentothatofhersurrogateguardian，thechangebeingasnecessarymedicallyasitwasjudicially。Theremovalwasmadewiththeutmostcaution，andwascalculatedtoproduceagreatpubliceffect。Pierrettewaslaidonamattressandcarriedonastretcherbytwomen;aGraySisterwalkedbesideherwithabottleofsalvolatileinherhand，whilethegrandmother，Brigaut，MadameAuffray，andhermaidfollowed。Peoplewereattheirwindowsanddoorstoseetheprocessionpass。CertainlythestateinwhichtheysawPierrette，paleasdeath，gaveimmenseadvantagetothepartyagainsttheRogrons。TheAuffraysweredeterminedtoprovetothewholetownthatthejudgewasrightinthedecisionhehadgiven。PierretteandhergrandmotherwereinstalledonthesecondfloorofMonsieurAuffray’shouse。Thenotaryandhiswifegavehereverycarewiththegreatesthospitality，whichwasnotwithoutalittleostentationinit。Pierrettehadhergrandmothertonurseher;andMonsieurMartenerandthehead—surgeonofthehospitalattendedher。
Ontheeveningofthisdayexaggerationsbeganonbothsides。TheRogronsalonwascrowded。VinethadstirredupthewholeLiberalpartyonthesubject。TheChargeboeufladiesdinedwiththeRogrons，forthecontractwastobesignedthatevening。Vinethadhadthebannspostedatthemayor’sofficeintheafternoon。HemadelightofthePierretteaffair。IftheProvinscourtwasprejudiced，theRoyalcourtswouldappreciatethefacts，hesaid，andtheAuffrayswouldthinktwicebeforetheyflungthemselvesintosuchasuit。TheallianceoftheRogronswiththeChargeboeufswasanimmenseconsiderationinthemindsofacertainclassofpeople。TothemitmadetheRogronsaswhiteassnowandPierretteanevillydisposedlittlegirl，aserpentwarmedintheirbosom。
InMadameTiphaine’ssalonvengeancewashadforallthemischievousscandalsthattheVinetpartyhaddisseminatedforthepasttwoyears。
TheRogronsweremonsters，andtheguardianshouldundergoacriminaltrial。IntheLowertown，Pierrettewasquitewell;intheUppertownshewasdying;attheRogrons’shescratchedherwrist;atMadameTiphaine’sherfingerswerefracturedandonewastobecutoff。Thenextdaythe\"CourrierdeProvins，\"hadaplausiblearticle，extremelywell—written，amasterpieceofinsinuationsmixedwithlegalpoints，whichshowedthattherewasnocasewhateveragainstRogron。The\"Bee—
hive，\"whichdidnotappeartilltwodayslater，couldnotanswerwithoutbecomingdefamatory;itreplied，however，thatinanaffairlikethisitwasbesttowaituntilthelawtookitscourse。
TheFamilyCouncilwasselectedbythe/jugedepaix/ofthecantonofProvins，andconsistedofRogronandthetwoMessieursAuffray，thenearestrelatives，andMonsieurCiprey，nephewofPierrette’smaternalgrandmother。TothesewerejoinedMonsieurHabert，Pierrette’sconfessor，andColonelGouraud，whohadalwaysprofessedhimselfacomradeandfriendofherfather，ColonelLorrain。Theimpartialityofthejudgeintheseselectionswasmuchapplauded，——MonsieurHabertandColonelGouraudbeingconsideredthefirmfriendsoftheRogrons。
TheserioussituationinwhichRogronfoundhimselfmadehimaskfortheassistanceofalawyer（andhenamedVinet）attheFamilyCouncil。
Bythismanoeuvre，evidentlyadvisedbyVinethimself，RogronsucceededinpostponingthemeetingofthecounciltilltheendofDecember。AtthattimeMonsieurTiphaineandhiswifewouldbesettledinParisfortheopeningoftheChambers;andtheministerialpartywouldbeleftwithoutitshead。VinethadalreadyworkeduponDesfondrilles，thedeputy—judge，incasethemattershouldgo，afterthehearingbeforethecouncil，tothecriminalcourts。
VinetspokeforthreehoursbeforetheFamilyCouncil;heprovedtheexistenceofanintriguebetweenPierretteandBrigaut，whichjustifiedallMademoiselleRogron’sseverity。Heshowedhownaturalitwasthattheguardianshouldhaveleftthemanagementofhiswardtoawoman;hedweltonthefactthatRogronhadnotinterferedwithPierrette’seducationasplannedbyhissisterSylvie。ButinspiteofVinet’seffortstheCouncilwereunanimousinremovingRogronfromtheguardianship。MonsieurAuffraywasappointedinhisplace，andMonsieurCipreywasmadesurrogate。TheCouncilsummonedbeforeitandexaminedAdele，theservant—woman，whotestifiedagainstherlatemasters;alsoMademoiselleHabert，whorelatedthecruelremarksmadebyMademoiselleRogronontheeveningwhenPierrettehadgivenherselfafrightfulblow，heardbyallthecompany，andthespeechofMadamedeChargeboeufaboutthegirl’shealth。BrigautproducedtheletterhehadreceivedfromPierrette，whichprovedtheirinnocenceandstatedherill—treatment。Proofwasgiventhattheconditionoftheminorwastheresultofneglectonthepartoftheguardian，whowasresponsibleforallthatconcernedhisward。Pierrette’sillnesshadbeenapparenttoeveryone，eventopersonsinthetownwhowerestrangerstothefamily，yettheguardianhaddonenothingforher。Thechargeofill—
treatmentwasthereforesustainedagainstRogron;andthecasewouldnowgobeforethepublic。
Rogron，advisedbyVinet，opposedtheacceptanceofthereportoftheCouncilbythecourt。TheauthoritiesthenintervenedinconsequenceofPierrette’sstate，whichwasdailygrowingworse。Thetrialofthecase，thoughplacedatonceuponthedocket，waspostponeduntilthemonthofMarch，1828，towaitevents。
X
VERDICTS——LEGALANDOTHER
MeantimeRogron’smarriagewithMademoiselledeChargeboeuftookplace。Sylviemovedtothesecondfloorofthehouse，whichshesharedwithMadamedeChargeboeuf，forthefirstfloorwasentirelytakenupbythenewwife。ThebeautifulMadameRogronsucceededtothesocialplaceofthebeautifulMadameTiphaine。Theinfluenceofthemarriagewasimmense。NoonenowcametovisitSylvie，butMadameRogron’ssalonwasalwaysfull。
Sustainedbytheinfluenceofhismother—in—lawandthebankersduTilletandNucingen，MonsieurTiphainewasfortunateenoughtodosomeservicetotheadministration;hebecameoneofitschieforators，wasmadejudgeinthecivilcourts，andobtainedtheappointmentofhisnephewLesourdtohisownvacantplaceaspresidentofthecourtofProvins。ThisappointmentgreatlyannoyedDesfondrilles。TheKeeperoftheSealssentdownoneofhisownprotegestofillLesourd’splace。
ThepromotionofMonsieurTiphaineandhistranslationtoPariswerethereforeofnobenefitatalltotheVinetparty;butVinetneverthelessmadeacleveruseoftheresult。HehadalwaystoldtheProvinspeoplethattheywerebeingusedasastepping—stonetoraisethecraftyMadameTiphaineintograndeur;Tiphainehimselfhadtrickedthem;MadameTiphainedespisedbothProvinsanditspeopleinherheart，andwouldneverreturnthereagain。JustatthiscrisisMonsieurTiphaine’sfatherdied;hissoninheritedafineestateandsoldhishouseinProvinstoMonsieurJulliard。ThesaleprovedtothemindsofallhowlittletheTiphainesthoughtofProvins。Vinetwasright;Vinethadbeenatrueprophet。ThesethingshadgreatinfluenceonthequestionofPierrette’sguardianship。
Thusthedreadfulmartyrdombrutallyinflictedonthepoorchildbytwoimbeciletyrants（whichled，throughitsconsequences，totheterribleoperationoftrepanning，performedbyMonsieurMartenerundertheadviceofDoctorBianchon），——allthishorribledramareducedtojudicialformwaslefttofloatinthevilemesscalledinlegalparlancethecalendar。Thecasewasmadetodragthroughthedelaysandtheinterminablelabyrinthsofthelaw，bytheshufflingsofanunprincipledlawyer;andduringallthistimethecalumniatedgirllanguishedintheagonyoftheworstpainknowntoscience。
MonsieurMartener，togetherwiththeAuffrayfamily，weresooncharmedbythebeautyofPierrette’snatureandthecharacterofheroldgrandmother，whosefeelings，ideas，andwaysborethestampofRomanantiquity，——thismatronoftheMaraiswaslikeawomaninPlutarch。
DoctorMartenerstruggledbravelywithdeath，whichalreadygraspeditsprey。Fromthefirst，BianchonandthehospitalsurgeonhadconsideredPierrettedoomed;andtherenowtookplacebetweenthedoctorandthedisease，theformerrelyingonPierrette’syouth，oneofthosestruggleswhichphysiciansalonecomprehend，——therewardofwhich，incaseofsuccess，isneverfoundinthevenalpaynorinthepatientsthemselves，butinthegentlesatisfactionofconscience，intheinvisibleidealpalmgatheredbytrueartistsfromthecontentmentwhichfillstheirsoulafteraccomplishinganoblework。Thephysicianstrainstowardsgoodasanartisttowardsbeauty，eachimpelledbythatgrandsentimentwhichwecallvirtue。ThisdailycontestwipedoutofDoctorMartener’smindthepettyirritationsofthatothercontestoftheTiphainesandtheVinets，——asalwayshappenstomenwhentheyfindthemselvesfacetofacewithagreatandrealmiserytoconquer。
MonsieurMartenerhadbegunhiscareerinParis;butthecruelactivityofthecityanditsinsensibilitytoitsmassesofsufferinghadshockedhisgentlesoul，fittedonlyforthequietlifeoftheprovinces。Moreover，hewasundertheyokeofhisbeautifulnativeland。HereturnedtoProvins，wherehemarriedandsettled，andcaredalmostlovinglyforthepeople，whoweretohimlikealargefamily。
DuringthewholeofPierrette’sillnesshewascarefulnottospeakofher。Hisreluctancetoanswerthequestionsofthosewhoaskedaboutherwassoevidentthatpersonssoonceasedtoputthem。Pierrettewastohim，whatindeedshetrulywas，apoem，mysterious，profound，vastinsuffering，suchasdoctorsfindattimesintheirterribleexperience。Hefeltanadmirationforthisdelicateyoungcreaturewhichhewouldnotsharewithanyone。
Thisfeelingofthephysicianforhispatientwas，however，unconsciouslycommunicated（likealltruefeelings）toMonsieurandMadameAuffray，whosehousebecame，solongasPierrettewasinit，quietandsilent。Thechildren，whohadformerlyplayedsojoyouslywithher，agreedamongthemselveswiththelovinggraceofchildhoodtobeneithernoisynortroublesome。TheymadeitapointofhonortobegoodbecausePierrettewasill。MonsieurAuffray’shousewasintheUppertown，beneaththeruinsoftheChateau，anditwasbuiltuponasortofterraceformedbytheoverthrowoftheoldramparts。Theoccupantscouldhaveaviewofthevalleyfromthelittlefruit—gardenenclosedbywallswhichoverlookedthetown。Theroofsoftheotherhousescametoaboutthelevelofthelowerwallofthisgarden。Alongtheterraceranapath，bywhichMonsieurAuffray’sstudycouldbeenteredthroughaglassdoor;attheotherendofthepathwasanarborofgrapevinesandafig—tree，beneathwhichstoodaroundtable，abenchandsomechairs，paintedgreen。Pierrette’sbedroomwasabovethestudyofhernewguardian。MadameLorrainsleptinacotbesidehergrandchild。FromherwindowPierrettecouldseethewholeofthegloriousvalleyofProvins，whichshehardlyknew，soseldomhadsheleftthatdreadfulhouseoftheRogrons。Whentheweatherwasfineshelovedtodragherself，restingonhergrandmother’sarm，tothevine—cladarbor。Brigaut，unabletowork，camethreetimesadaytoseehislittlefriend;hewasgnawedbyagriefwhichmadehimindifferenttolife。HelayinwaitlikeadogforMonsieurMartener，andfollowedhimwhenheleftthehouse。Theoldgrandmother，drunkwithgrief，hadthecouragetoconcealherdespair;sheshowedherdarlingthesmilingfacesheformerlyworeatPen—Hoel。Inherdesiretoproducethatillusioninthegirl’smind，shemadeheralittleBretoncapliketheonePierrettehadwornonherfirstarrivalinProvins;itmadethedarlingseemmorelikeherchildlikeself;initshewasdelightfultolookupon，hersweetfacecircledwithahaloofcambricandflutedlace。Herskin，whitewiththewhitenessofunglazedporcelain，herforehead，wheresufferinghadprintedthesemblanceofdeepthought，thepurityofthelinesrefinedbyillness，theslownessoftheglances，andtheoccasionalfixityoftheeyes，madePierretteanalmostperfectembodimentofmelancholy。Shewasservedbyallwithasortoffanaticism;shewasfelttobesogentle，sotender，soloving。MadameMartenersentherpianotohersisterMadameAuffray，thinkingtoamusePierrettewhowaspassionatelyfondofmusic。ItwasapoemtowatchherlisteningtoathemeofWeber，orBeethoven，orHerold，——hereyesraised，herlipssilent，regrettingnodoubtthelifeescapingher。ThecurePerouxandMonsieurHabert，hertworeligiouscomforters，admiredhersaintlyresignation。Surelytheseraphicperfectionofyounggirlsandyoungmenmarkedwiththehecticofdeath，isawonderfulfactworthyoftheattentionalikeofphilosophersandofheedlessminds。Hewhohaseverseenoneofthesesublimedeparturesfromthislifecanneverremain，orbecome，anunbeliever。Suchbeingsexhale，asitwere，acelestialfragrance;
theirglancesspeakofGod;thevoicesareeloquentinthesimplestwords;oftentheyringlikesomeseraphicinstrumentrevealingthesecretsofthefuture。WhenMonsieurMartenerpraisedherforhavingfaithfullyfollowedaharshprescriptionthelittleangelreplied，andwithwhataglance！——
\"Iwanttolive，dearMonsieurMartener;butlessformyselfthanformygrandmother，formyBrigaut，forallofyouwhowillgrieveatmydeath。\"
ThefirsttimeshewentintothegardenonabeautifulsunnydayinNovemberattendedbyallthehousehold，MadameAuffrayaskedherifshewastired。
\"No，nowthatIhavenosufferingsbutthoseGodsendsIcanbearall，\"shesaid。\"Thejoyofbeinglovedgivesmestrengthtosuffer。\"
Thatwastheonlytime（andthenvaguely）thatsheeveralludedtoherhorriblemartyrdomattheRogrons，whomshenevermentioned，andofwhomnooneremindedher，knowingwellhowpainfulthememorymustbe。
\"DearMadameAuffray，\"shesaidonedayatnoonontheterrace，asshegazedatthevalley，warmedbyaglorioussunandcoloredwiththeglowingtintsofautumn，\"mydeathinyourhousegivesmemorehappinessthanIhavehadsinceIleftBrittany。\"
MadameAuffraywhisperedinhersisterMartener’sear：——
\"Howshewouldhaveloved！\"
Intruth，hertones，herlooksgavetoherwordsapricelessvalue。
MonsieurMartenercorrespondedwithDoctorBianchon，anddidnothingofimportancewithouthisadvice。Hehopedinthefirstplacetoregularthefunctionsofnatureandtodrawawaytheabscessintheheadthroughtheear。ThemorePierrettesuffered，themorehehoped。
Hegainedsomeslightsuccessattimes，andthatwasagreattriumph。
ForseveraldaysPierrette’sappetitereturnedandenabledhertotakenourishingfoodforwhichherillnesshadgivenherarepugnance;thecolorofherskinchanged;buttheconditionofherheadwasterrible。
MonsieurMartenerentreatedthegreatphysicianhisadvisertocomedown。Bianchoncame，stayedtwodays，andresolvedtoundertakeanoperation。TosparethefeelingsofpoorMartenerhewenttoParisandbroughtbackwithhimthecelebratedDesplein。Thustheoperationwasperformedbythegreatestsurgeonofancientormoderntimes;butthatterribledivinersaidtoMartenerashedepartedwithBianchon，hisbest—lovedpupil：——
\"Nothingbutamiraclecansaveher。AsHoracetoldyou，cariesofthebonehasbegun。Atheragethebonesaresotender。\"
TheoperationwasperformedatthebeginningofMarch，1828。Duringallthatmonth，distressedbyPierrette’shorriblesufferings，MonsieurMartenermadeseveraljourneystoParis;thereheconsultedDespleinandBianchon，andevenwentsofarastoproposetothemanoperationofthenatureoflithotrity，whichconsistsinpassingintotheheadahollowinstrumentbythehelpofwhichanheroicremedycanbeappliedtothediseasedbone，toarresttheprogressofthecaries。
EventheboldDespleindarednotattemptthathigh—handedsurgicalmeasure，whichdespairalonehadsuggestedtoMartener。WhenhereturnedhomefromParisheseemedtohisfriendsmoroseandgloomy。
HewasforcedtoannounceonthatfataleveningtotheAuffraysandMadameLorrainandtothetwopriestsandBrigautthatsciencecoulddonomoreforPierrette，whoserecoverywasnowinGod’shandsonly。
Theconsternationamongthemwasterrible。Thegrandmothermadeavow，andrequestedtheprieststosayamasseverymorningatdaybreakbeforePierretterose，——amassatwhichsheandBrigautmightbepresent。
Thetrialcameon。Whilethevictimlaydying，Vinetwascalumniatingherincourt。ThejudgeapprovedandacceptedthereportoftheFamilyCouncil，andVinetinstantlyappealed。Thenewlyappointed/procureurduroi/madearequisitionwhichnecessitatedfreshevidence。Rogronandhissisterwereforcedtogivebailtoavoidgoingtoprison。TheorderforfreshevidenceincludedthatofPierretteherself。WhenMonsieurDesfondrillescametotheAuffrays’toreceiveit，Pierrettewasdying，herconfessorwasatherbedsideabouttoadministerextremeunction。Atthatmomentsheentreatedallpresenttoforgivehercousinsassheherselfforgavethem，sayingwithhersimplegoodsensethatthejudgmentofthesethingsbelongedtoGodalone。
\"Grandmother，\"shesaid，\"leaveallyouhavetoBrigaut\"（Brigautburstintotears）;\"and，\"continuedPierrette，\"giveathousandfrancstothatkindAdelewhowarmedmybed。IfAdelehadremainedwithmycousinsIshouldnotnowbedying。\"
Itwasatthreeo’clockontheTuesdayofEasterweek，onabeautiful，brightday，thattheangelceasedtosuffer。Herheroicgrandmotherwishedtowatchallthatnightwiththepriests，andtosewwithherstiffoldfingersherdarling’sshroud。TowardseveningBrigautlefttheAuffray’shouseandwenttoFrappier’s。
\"Ineednotaskyou，mypoorboy，fornews，\"saidthecabinet—maker。
\"PereFrappier，yes，itisendedforher——butnotforme。\"
Hecastalookuponthedifferentwoodspileduparoundtheshop，——alookofpainfulmeaning。
\"Iunderstandyou，Brigaut，\"saidhisworthymaster。\"Takeallyouwant。\"Andheshowedhimtheoakenplanksoftwo—inchthickness。
\"Don’thelpme，MonsieurFrappier，\"saidtheBreton，\"Iwishtodoitalone。\"
HepassedthenightinplaningandfittingPierrette’scoffin，andmorethanoncehisplanetookoffatasinglepassaribbonofwoodwhichwaswetwithtears。ThegoodmanFrappiersmokedhispipeandwatchedhimsilently，sayingonly，whenthefourpieceswerejoinedtogether，——
\"Makethecovertoslide;herpoorgrandmotherwillnothearthenails。\"
AtdaybreakBrigautwentouttofetchtheleadtolinethecoffin。Byastrangechance，thesheetsofleadcostjustthesumhehadgivenPierretteforherjourneyfromNantestoProvins。ThebraveBreton，whowasabletoresisttheawfulpainofhimselfmakingthecoffinofhisdearoneandliningwithhismemoriesthoseburialplanks，couldnotbearupagainstthisstrangereminder。Hisstrengthgaveway;hewasnotabletoliftthelead，andtheplumber，seeingthis，camewithhim，andofferedtoaccompanyhimtothehouseandsolderthelastsheetwhenthebodyhadbeenlaidinthecoffin。
TheBretonburnedtheplaneandallthetoolshehadused。ThenhesettledhisaccountswithFrappierandbadehimfarewell。Theheroismwithwhichthepoorladpersonallyperformed，likethegrandmother，thelastofficesforPierrettemadehimasharerintheawfulscenewhichcrownedthetyrannyoftheRogrons。
BrigautandtheplumberreachedthehouseofMonsieurAuffrayjustintimetodecidebytheirownmainforceaninfamousandshockingjudicialquestion。Theroomwherethedeadgirllaywasfullofpeople，andpresentedtotheeyesofthetwomenasingularsight。TheRogronemissarieswerestandingbesidethebodyoftheirvictim，totortureherevenafterdeath。Thecorpseofthechild，solemninitsbeauty，layonthecot—bedofhergrandmother。Pierrette’seyeswereclosed，thebrownhairsmootheduponherbrow，thebodyswathedinacoarsecottonsheet。
Beforethebed，onherknees，herhairindisorder，herhandsstretchedout，herfaceonfire，theoldLorrainwascryingout，\"No，no，itshallnotbedone！\"
AtthefootofthebedstoodMonsieurAuffrayandthetwopriests。Thetaperswerestillburning。
Oppositetothegrandmotherwasthesurgeonofthehospital，withanassistant，andnearhimstoodDoctorNeraudandVinet。Thesurgeonworehisdissectingapron;theassistanthadopenedacaseofinstrumentsandwashandinghimaknife。
ThisscenewasinterruptedbythenoiseofthecoffinwhichBrigautandtheplumbersetdownuponthefloor。ThenBrigaut，advancing，washorrifiedatthesightofMadameLorrain，whowasnowweeping。
\"Whatisthematter？\"heasked，standingbesideherandgraspingthechiselconvulsivelyinhishand。
\"This，\"saidtheoldwoman，\"/this/，Brigaut：theywanttoopenthebodyofmychildandcutintoherhead，andstabherheartafterherdeathastheydidwhenshewasliving。\"
\"Who？\"saidBrigaut，inavoicethatmighthavedeafenedthemenoflaw。
\"TheRogrons。\"
\"InthesacrednameofGod！——\"
\"Stop，Brigaut，\"saidMonsieurAuffray，seeingtheladbrandishhischisel。
\"MonsieurAuffray，\"saidBrigaut，aswhiteashisdeadcompanion，\"I
hearyoubecauseyouareMonsieurAuffray，butatthismomentIwillnotlistento——\"
\"Thelaw！\"saidAuffray。
\"Istherelaw？istherejustice？\"criedtheBreton。\"Justice，thisisit！\"andheadvancedtothelawyerandthedoctors，threateningthemwithhischisel。
\"Myfriend，\"saidthecurate，\"thelawhasbeeninvokedbythelawyerofMonsieurRogron，whoisundertheweightofaseriousaccusation;
anditisimpossibleforustorefusehimthemeansofjustification。
ThelawyerofMonsieurRogronclaimsthatifthepoorchilddiedofanabscessinherheadherformerguardiancannotbeblamed，foritisprovedthatPierretteconcealedtheeffectsoftheblowwhichshegavetoherself——\"
\"Enough！\"saidBrigaut。
\"Myclient——\"beganVinet。
\"Yourclient，\"criedtheBreton，\"shallgotohellandItothescaffold;forifoneofyoudarestotouchherwhomyourclienthaskilled，Iwillkillhimifmyweapondoesitsduty。\"
\"Thisisinterferencewiththelaw，\"saidVinet。\"Ishallinstantlyinformthecourt。\"
Thefivemenlefttheroom。
\"Oh，myson！\"criedtheoldwoman，risingfromherkneesandfallingonBrigaut’sneck，\"letusburyherquick，——theywillcomeback。\"
\"Ifwesolderthelead，\"saidtheplumber，\"theymaynotdaretoopenit。\"
MonsieurAuffrayhastenedtohisbrother—in—law，MonsieurLesourd，totryandsettlethematter。Vinetwasnotunwilling。Pierrettebeingdeadthesuitabouttheguardianshipfell，ofcourse，totheground。
Alltheastutelawyerwantedwastheeffectproducedbyhisrequest。
AtmiddayMonsieurDesfondrillesmadehisreportonthecase，andthecourtrenderedadecisionthattherewasnogroundforfurtheraction。
RogrondarednotgotoPierrette’sfuneral，atwhichthewholetownwaspresent。Vinetwishedtoforcehimthere，butthemiserablemanwasafraidofexcitinguniversalhorror。
BrigautleftProvinsafterwatchingthefillingupofthegravewherePierrettelay，andwentonfoottoParis。HewroteapetitiontotheDauphinessasking，inthenameofhisfather，thathemightentertheRoyalguard，towhichhewasatonceadmitted。WhentheexpeditiontoAlgierswasundertakenhewrotetoheragain，toobtainemploymentinit。Hewasthenasergeant;MarshalBourmontgavehimanappointmentassub—lieutenantinalineregiment。Themajor’ssonbehavedlikeamanwhowishedtodie。Deathhas，however，respectedJacquesBrigautuptothepresenttime;althoughhehasdistinguishedhimselfinalltherecentexpeditionshehasneveryetbeenwounded。Heisnowmajorinaregimentofinfantry。Noofficerismoretaciturnormoretrustworthy。Outsideofhisdutyheisalmostmute;hewalksaloneandlivesmechanically。Everyonedivinesandrespectsahiddensorrow。Hepossessesforty—sixthousandfrancs，whicholdMadameLorrain，whodiedinParisin1829，bequeathedtohim。
Attheelectionsof1830Vinetwasmadeadeputy。Theservicesherenderedthenewgovernmenthavenowearnedhimthepositionof/procureur—general/。Hisinfluenceissuchthathewillalwaysremainadeputy。Rogronisreceiver—generalinthesametownwhereVinetfulfilshislegalfunctions;andbyoneofthosecurioustricksofchancewhichdosooftenoccur，MonsieurTiphaineispresidentoftheRoyalcourtinthesametown，——fortheworthymangaveinhisadhesiontothedynastyofJulywithouttheslightesthesitation。Theex—beautifulMadameTiphainelivesonexcellenttermswiththebeautifulMadameRogron。VinetishandinglovewithMadameTiphaine。
AstotheimbecileRogron，hemakessuchremarksas，\"Louis—Philippewillneverbereallykingtillheisabletomakenobles。\"
Thespeechisevidentlynothisown。Hishealthisfailing，whichallowsMadameRogrontohopeshemaysoonmarrytheGeneralMarquisdeMontriveau，peerofFrance，whocommandsthedepartment，andispayingherattentions。Vinetisinhiselement，seekingvictims;heneverbelievesintheinnocenceofanaccusedperson。Thisthoroughbredprosecutorisheldtobeoneofthemostamiablemenonthecircuit;
andheisnolesslikedinParisandintheChamber;atcourtheisacharmingcourtier。
AccordingtoacertainpromisemadebyVinet，GeneralBaronGouraud，thatnoblerelicofourgloriousarmies，marriedaMademoiselleMatifat，twenty—fiveyearsold，daughterofadruggistintheruedesLombards，whosedowrywasahundredthousandfrancs。Hecommands（asVinetprophesied）adepartmentintheneighborhoodofParis。HewasnamedpeerofFranceforhisconductintheriotswhichoccurredduringtheministryofCasimirPerier。BaronGouraudwasoneofthegeneralswhotookthechurchofSaint—Merry，delightedtorapthoserascallycivilianswhohadvexedhimforyearsovertheknuckles;forwhichservicehewasrewardedwiththegrandcordonoftheLegionofhonor。
NoneofthepersonagesconnectedwithPierrette’sdeatheverfelttheslightestremorseaboutit。MonsieurDesfondrillesisstillarchaeological，but，inordertocompasshisownelection，the/procureurgeneral/VinettookpainstohavehimappointedpresidentoftheProvinscourt。Sylviehasalittlecircle，andmanagesherbrother’sproperty;shelendsherownmoneyathighinterest，anddoesnotspendmorethantwelvehundredfrancsayear。
Fromtimetotime，whensomeformersonordaughterofProvinsreturnsfromParistosettledown，youmayhearthemask，astheyleaveMademoiselleRogron’shouse，\"Wasn’tthereapainfulstoryagainsttheRogrons，——somethingaboutaward？\"
\"Mereprejudice，\"repliesMonsieurDesfondrilles。\"Certainpersonstriedtomakeusbelievefalsehoods。OutofkindnessofhearttheRogronstookinagirlnamedPierrette，quiteprettybutwithnomoney。Justasshewasgrowingupshehadanintriguewithayoungman，andstoodatherwindowbarefootedtalkingtohim。Theloverspassednotestoeachotherbyastring。Shetookcoldinthiswayanddied，havingnoconstitution。TheRogronsbehavedadmirably。Theymadenoclaimoncertainpropertywhichwastocometoher，——theygaveitalluptothegrandmother。Themoralofitwas，mygoodfriend，thatthedevilpunishesthosewhotrytobenefitothers。\"
\"Ah！thatisquiteanotherstoryfromtheoneoldFrappiertoldme。\"
\"Frappierconsultshiswine—cellarmorethanhedoeshismemory，\"
remarkedanotherofMademoiselleRogron’svisitors。
\"Butthatoldpriest，MonsieurHabertsays——\"
\"Oh，he！don’tyouknowwhy？\"
\"No。\"
\"HewantedtomarryhissistertoMonsieurRogron，thereceiver—
general。\"
*****
TwomenthinkofPierrettedaily：DoctorMartenerandMajorBrigaut;
theyaloneknowthehideoustruth。
TogivethattruthitstrueproportionswemusttransportthescenetotheRomeofthemiddleages，whereasublimeyounggirl，BeatriceCenci，wasbroughttothescaffoldbymotivesandintriguesthatwerealmostidenticalwiththosewhichlaidourPierretteinhergrave。
BeatriceCencihadbutonedefender，——anartist，apainter。Inourdayhistory，andlivingmen，onthefaithofGuidoReni’sportrait，condemnthePope，andknowthatBeatricewasamosttendervictimofinfamouspassionsandbasefeuds。
WemustallagreethatlegalitywouldbeafinethingforsocialscoundrelismIFTHEREWERENOGOD。
