\"MonsieurBonnet，\"saidthearchbishop，lookingattherector，\"youhaveaccomplishedamiracle。\"
\"NotI，butGod，Monseigneur，\"hereplied。
\"Theysaidshewasdying，\"saidMonsieurGrossetete，\"butsheisdead;
thereisnothingleftofherbutspirit。\"
\"Asoul，\"saidGerard。
\"Andyetsheisstillthesame，\"criedthe/procureur—general/。
\"AstoicafterthemannerofthePorchphilosophers，\"saidthetutor。
Theywalkedinsilencethewholelengthofthebalustrade，lookingatthelandscapestillredwiththedeclininglight。
\"Tomewhosawthisscenethirteenyearsago，\"saidthearchbishop，pointingtothefertileplain，thevalley，andthemountainsofMontegnac，\"thismiracleisasextraordinaryasthatwehavejustwitnessed。ButhowcomesitthatyouallowMadameGraslintowalkabout？Sheoughttobeinherbed。\"
\"Shewasthere，\"saidMadameSauviat;\"fortendaysshedidnotleaveit;butto—daysheinsistedongettinguptotakealastlookatthelandscape。\"
\"Icanunderstandthatshewantedtobidfarewelltohergreatcreation，\"saidMonsieurdeGrandville;\"butsheriskedexpiringonthisterrace。\"
\"MonsieurRoubaudtoldusnottothwarther，\"saidMadameSauviat。
\"Whatastupendouswork！whatamiraclehasbeenaccomplished！\"saidthearchbishop，whoseeyeswererovingoverthescenebeforehim。\"Shehasliterallysownthedesert！Butweknow，monsieur，\"headded，turningtoGerard，\"thatyourscientificknowledgeandyourlaborshavealargeshareinit。\"
\"Theyhavebeenonlytheworkmen，\"repliedthemayor。\"Yes，thehandsonly;shehasbeenthethought。\"
MadameSauviathereleftthegroup，tohear，ifpossible，thedecisionofthedoctors。
\"Weneedsomeheroismourselves，\"saidMonsieurdeGrandvilletotherectorandthearchbishop，\"toenableustowitnessthisdeath。\"
\"Yes，\"saidMonsieurGrossetete，whooverheardhim，\"butweoughttodomuchforsuchafriend。\"
Afterseveralturnsupanddowntheterrace，thesepersons，fullofsolemnthoughts，sawtwofarmersapproachingthem，sentasadeputationfromthevillage，wheretheinhabitantswereinastateofpainfulanxietytoknowthesentencepronouncedbythephysicianfromParis。
\"Theyarestillconsulting，andasyetweknownothing，myfriends，\"
saidthearchbishop。
Ashespoke，MonsieurRoubaudappearedcomingtowardthem，andtheyallhurriedtomeethim。
\"Well？\"saidthemayor。
\"Shecannotliveforty—eighthourslonger，\"repliedMonsieurRoubaud。
\"Duringmyabsencethediseasehasfullydeveloped;MonsieurBianchondoesnotunderstandhowitwaspossibleforhertohavewalked。Suchphenomenalexhibitionsofstrengtharealwayscausedbygreatmentalexaltation。So，gentlemen，\"saidthedoctortothepriests，\"shebelongstoyounow;scienceisuseless，andmyillustriousfellow—
physicianthinksyouhavebarelytimeenoughforyourlastoffices。\"
\"Letusgonowandsaytheprayersforthefortyhours，\"saidtherectortohisparishioners，turningtoleavetheterrace。\"HisGracewilldoubtlessadministerthelastsacraments。\"
Thearchbishopbowedhishead;hecouldnotspeak;hiseyeswerefulloftears。Everyonesatdown，orleanedagainstthebalustrade，absorbedinhisownthought。Thechurchbellspresentlysentforthafewsadcalls，andthenthewholepopulationwereseenhurryingtowardtheporch。ThegleamofthelightedtapersshonethroughthetreesinMonsieurBonnet’sgarden;thechantsresounded。Nocolorwasleftinthelandscapebutthedullredhueofthedusk;eventhebirdshadhushedtheirsongs;thetree—frogalonesentforthitslong，clear，melancholynote。
\"Iwillgoanddomyduty，\"saidthearchbishop，turningawaywithaslowsteplikeamanovercomewithemotion。
Theconsultationhadtakenplaceinthegreatsalonofthechateau。
Thisvastroomcommunicatedwithastatebedchamber，furnishedinreddamask，inwhichGraslinhaddisplayedacertainopulentmagnificence。
Veroniquehadnotentereditsixtimesinfourteenyears;thegrandapartmentswerequiteuselesstoher，andsheneverreceivedherfriendsthere。Butnowtheeffortshehadmadetoaccomplishherlastobligation，andtoovercomeherlastrepugnancehadexhaustedherstrength，andshewaswhollyunabletomountthestairstoherownrooms。
Whentheillustriousphysicianhadtakenthepatient’shandandfeltherpulsehelookedatMonsieurRoubaudandmadehimasign;thentogethertheyliftedherandcarriedherintothechamber。Alinehastilyopenedthedoors。Likeallstatebedstheoneinthisroomhadnosheets，andthetwodoctorslaidMadameGraslinonthedamaskcoverlet。Roubaudopenedthewindows，pushedbacktheouterblinds，andcalled。TheservantsandMadameSauviatwentin。Thetapersinthecandelabrawerelighted。
\"Itisordained，\"saidthedyingwoman，smiling，\"thatmydeathshallbewhatthatofaChristianshouldbe——afestival！\"
Duringtheconsultationshesaid:——
\"The/procureur—general/hasdonehisprofessionalduty;Iwasgoing，andhehaspushedmeon。\"
Theoldmotherlookedatherandlaidafingeronherlips。
\"Mother，Ishallspeak，\"repliedVeronique。\"See！thehandofGodisinallthis;Iamdyinginaredroom——\"
MadameSauviatwentout，unabletobearthosewords。
\"Aline，\"shesaid，\"shewillspeak！shewillspeak！\"
\"Ah！madameisoutofhermind，\"criedthefaithfulmaid，whowasbringingsheets。\"Fetchtherector，madame。\"
\"Yourmistressmustbeundressed，\"saidBianchontothemaid。
\"Itwillbeverydifficulttodoit，monsieur;madameiswrappedinahair—clothgarment。\"
\"What！inthenineteenth—centurycansuchhorrorsberevived？\"saidthegreatdoctor。
\"MadameGraslinhasneverallowedmetotouchherstomach，\"saidRoubaud。\"Ihavebeenabletojudgeoftheprogressofthediseaseonlyfromherfaceandherpulse，andthelittleinformationIcouldgetfromhermotherandthemaid。\"
Veroniquewasnowplacedonasofawhilethebedwasbeingmade。Thedoctorsspoketogetherinalowvoice。MadameSauviatandAlinemadethebed。Thefacesofthetwowomenwerefullofanguish;theirheartswerewrungbythethought，\"Wearemakingherbedforthelasttime——
shewilldiehere！\"
Theconsultationwasnotlong。ButBianchonexactedattheoutsetthatAlineshould，inspiteofthepatient’sresistance，cutoffthehairshirtandputonanight—dress。Thedoctorsreturnedtothesalonwhilethiswasbeingdone。WhenAlinepassedthemcarryingtheinstrumentoftorturewrappedinanapkin，shesaid:——
\"Madame’sbodyisonegreatwound。\"
Thedoctorsreturnedtothebedroom。
\"YourwillisstrongerthanthatofNapoleon，madame，\"saidBianchon，afteraskingafewquestions，towhichVeroniquerepliedveryclearly。
\"YoukeepyourmindandyourfacultiesinthelaststagesofadiseasewhichrobbedtheEmperorofhisbrilliantintellect。FromwhatIknowofyouIthinkIoughttotellyouthetruth。\"
\"Iimploreyoutodoso，\"shesaid。\"Youareabletoestimatewhatstrengthremainstome;andIhaveneedofallmyvigorforafewhours。\"
\"Thinkonlyofyoursalvation，\"repliedBianchon。
\"IfGodhasgivenmegracetodieinpossessionofallmyfaculties，\"
shesaidwithacelestialsmile，\"besurethatthisfavorwillbeusedtothegloryofhisChurch。ThepossessionofmymindandsensesisnecessarytofulfilacommandofGod，whereasNapoleonhadaccomplishedallhisdestiny。\"
Thedoctorslookedateachotherinastonishmentathearingthesewords，saidwithasmucheaseasthoughMadameGraslinwerestillpresidinginhersalon。
\"Ah！hereisthedoctorwhoistocureme，\"shesaidpresently，whenthearchbishop，summonedbyRoubaud，enteredtheroom。
Shecollectedallherstrengthandrosetoasittingposture，inordertobowgraciouslytoMonsieurBianchon，andbeghimtoacceptsomethingelsethanmoneyforthegoodnewshegaveher。Shesaidafewwordsinhermother’sear，andMadameSauviatimmediatelyledawaythedoctors;thenVeroniquerequestedthearchbishoptopostponetheirinterviewtilltherectorcouldcometoher，expressingawishtorestforawhile。Alinewatchedbesideher。
AtmidnightMadameGraslinawoke，andaskedforthearchbishopandrector，whomAlinesilentlyshowedhercloseathand，prayingforher。
Shemadeasigndismissinghermotherandthemaid，and，atanothersign，thetwopriestscametothebedside。
\"Monseigneur，andyou，mydearrector，\"shesaid，\"willhearnothingyoudonotalreadyknow。Youwerethefirst，Monseigneur，tocastyoureyesintomyinnerself;youreadtherenearlyallmypast;andwhatyoureadsufficedyou。Myconfessor，thatguardianangelwhomheavenplacednearme，knowsmore;Ihavetoldhimall。You，whosemindsareenlightenedbythespiritoftheChurch，IwishtoconsultyouastothemannerinwhichIoughtasatrueChristiantoleavethislife。
You，austereandsaintlyspirits，thinkyouthatifGoddeignstopardononewhoserepentanceisthedeepest，themostabsolute，thatevershookahumansoul，thinkyouthateventhenIhavemademyfullexpiationherebelow？\"
\"Yes，\"saidthearchbishop;\"yes，mydaughter。\"
\"No，myfather，no！\"shesaidrisinginherbed，thelightningflashingfromhereyes。\"Notfarfromherethereisagrave，whereanunhappymanislyingbeneaththeweightofadreadfulcrime;hereinthissumptuoushomeisawoman，crownedwiththefameofbenevolenceandvirtue。Thiswomanisblessed;thatpooryoungmaniscursed。Thecriminaliscoveredwithobloquy;Ireceivetherespectofall。Ihadthelargestshareinthesin;hehasashare，alargeshareinthegoodwhichhaswonformesuchgloryandsuchgratitude。FraudthatI
am，Ihavethehonor;he，themartyrtohisloyalty，hastheshame。I
shalldieinafewhours，andthecantonwillmournme;thewholedepartmentwillringwithmygooddeeds，mypiety，myvirtue;buthediedcoveredwithinsults，insightofawholepopulationrushing，withhatredtoamurderer，toseehimdie。You，myjudges，youareindulgenttome;yetIhearwithinmyselfanimperiousvoicewhichwillnotletmerest。Ah！thehandofGod，lesstenderthanyours，strikesmefromdaytoday，asiftowarnmethatallisnotexpiated。
Mysinscannotberedeemedexceptbyapublicconfession。Heishappy！
criminal，hegavehislifewithignominyinfaceofearthandheaven;
andI，IcheattheworldasIcheatedhumanjustice。ThehomageI
receivehumiliatesme;praisesearsmyheart。Doyounotsee，intheverycomingofthe/procureur—general/，acommandfromheavenechoingthevoiceinmyownsoulwhichcriestome:Confess！\"
Thetwopriests，theprinceoftheChurchaswellasthehumblerector，thesetwogreatlights，eachinhisownway，stoodwiththeireyesloweredandweresilent。Deeplymovedbythegrandeurandtheresignationoftheguiltywoman，thejudgescouldnotpronouncehersentence。
\"Mychild，\"saidthearchbishopatlast，raisinghisnoblehead，maceratedbythecustomsofhisausterelife，\"youaregoingbeyondthecommandmentsoftheChurch。ThegloryoftheChurchistomakeherdogmaconformtothehabitsandmannersofeachage;fortheChurchgoesonfromagetoageincompanywithhumanity。Accordingtoherpresentdecisionsecretconfessionhastakentheplaceofpublicconfession。Thissubstitutionhasmadethenewlaw。Thesufferingsyouhaveenduredsuffice。Dieinpeace:Godhasheardyou。\"
\"ButisnotthisdesireofaguiltywomaninconformitywiththelawofthefirstChurch，whichhasenrichedheavenwithasmanysaintsandmartyrsandconfessingsoulsastherearestarsinthefirmament？\"
persistedVeronique，vehemently。\"Whosaid:/Confessyourselvestooneanother/？Wasitnotthedisciples，wholivedwiththeSaviour？Letmeconfessmyshamepubliclyonmyknees。Itwillredeemmysintotheworld，tothatfamilyexiledandalmostextinctthroughme。Theworldoughttoknowthatmybenefactionsarenotanoffering，butthepaymentofadebt。Supposethatlater，aftermydeath，somethingtorefrommymemorythelyingveilwhichcoversme。Ah！thatideaismorethanIcanbear，itisdeathindeed！\"
\"Iseeinthistoomuchofcalculation，mychild，\"saidthearchbishop，gravely。\"Passionsarestilltoostronginyou;theoneI
thoughtextinctis——\"
\"Oh！Isweartoyou，Monseigneur，\"shesaid，interruptingtheprelateandfixinghereyes，fullofhorror，uponhim，\"myheartisaspurifiedasthatofaguiltyandrepentantwomancanbe;thereisnothingnowwithinmebutthethoughtofGod。\"
\"Monseigneur，\"saidtherectorinatendervoice，\"letusleavecelestialjusticetotakeitscourse。ItisnowfouryearssinceI
havestronglyopposedthiswish;itistheonlydifferencethathasevercomebetweenmypenitentandmyself。Ihaveseentothedepthsofthatsoul，andIknowthisearthhasnolongeranyholdthere。Thoughthetears，theremorse，thecontritionoffifteenyearsrelatetothemutualsinofthosetwopersons，believemetherearenoremainsofearthlypassioninthislongandterriblebewailing。Memorynolongerminglesitsflameswiththoseofanardentpenitence。Yes，tearshaveatlastextinguishedthatgreatfire。Iguarantee，\"hesaid，stretchinghishandoverMadameGraslin’shead，andlettinghismoistenedeyesbeseen，\"Iguaranteethepurityofthatangelicsoul。
AndalsoIseeinthisdesirethethoughtofreparationtoanabsentfamily，amemberofwhichGodhasbroughtbackherebyoneofthoseeventswhichrevealHisprovidence。\"
Veroniquetookthetremblinghandoftherectorandkissedit。
\"Youhaveoftenbeenverysterntome，dearpastor，butatthismomentIseewhereyoukeepyourapostolicgentleness。You，\"shesaid，lookingatthearchbishop，\"you，thesupremeheadofthiscornerofGod’skingdom，betome，inthismomentofignominy，asupport。Imustbowdownasthelowestofwomen，butyouwillliftmeuppardonedand——possibly——theequalofthosewhoneversinned。\"
Thearchbishopwassilent，weighingnodoubtalltheconsiderationshispractisedeyeperceived。
\"Monseigneur，\"saidtherector，\"religionhashadsomeheavyblows。
Thisreturntoancientcustoms，broughtaboutbythegreatnessofthesinanditsrepentance，mayitnotbeatriumphwehavenorighttorefuse？\"
\"Buttheywillsaywearefanatics！Theywilldeclarewehaveexactedthiscruelscene！\"
Andagainthearchbishopwassilentandthoughtful。
AtthismomentHoraceBianchonandRoubaudenteredtheroom，afterknocking。AsthedooropenedVeroniquesawhermother，herson，andalltheservantsofthehouseholdontheirkneespraying。TherectorsofthetwoadjacentparisheshadcometoassistMonsieurBonnet，andalso，perhaps，topaytheirrespectstothegreatprelate，forwhomtheFrenchclergynowdesiredthehonorsofthecardinalate，hopingthattheclearnessofhisintellect，whichwasthoroughlyGallican，wouldenlightentheSacredCollege。
HoraceBianchonreturnedtoParis;beforedeparting，hecametobidfarewelltothedyingwomanandthankherforhermunificence。Slowlyheapproached，perceivingfromthefacesoftheprieststhatthewoundsofthesoulhadbeenthedeterminingcauseofthoseofthebody。HetookMadameGraslin’shand，laiditonthebedandfeltthepulse。Thedeepsilence，thatofasummernightinacountrysolitude，gaveadditionalsolemnitytothescene。Thegreatsalon，seenthroughthedoubledoors，waslightedupforthelittlecompanyofpersonswhowereprayingthere;allwereontheirkneesexceptthetwopriestswhowereseatedandreadingtheirbrevaries。Oneithersideofthegrandstatebedweretheprelateinhisvioletrobes，therector，andthetwophysicians。
\"Sheisagitatedalmostuntodeath，\"saidHoraceBianchon，who，likeallmenofgreattalent，sometimesusedspeechasgrandastheoccasionthatcalleditforth。
Thearchbishoproseasifsomeinwardimpulsedrovehim;hecalledtoMonsieurBonnet，andtogethertheycrossedtheroom，passedthroughthesalon，andwentoutupontheterrace，wheretheywalkedupanddownforsomemoments。Whentheyreturned，afterdiscussingthiscaseofecclesiasticaldiscipline，Roubaudmetthem。
XXI
CONFESSIONATTHEGATESOFTHETOMB
Atteno’clockinthemorningthearchbishop，wearinghispontificalrobes，cameintoMadameGraslin’schamber。Theprelate，aswellastherector，hadsuchconfidenceinthiswomanthattheygavehernoadviceorinstructionsastothelimitswithinwhichsheoughttomakeherconfession。
Veroniquenowsawanassemblageofclergyfromalltheneighboringdistricts。Monseigneurwasassistedbyfourvicars。Themagnificentvesselsshehadbestoweduponherdearparishchurchwerebroughttothehouseandgavesplendortotheceremony。Eightchoristersintheirwhiteandredsurplicesstoodintworowsfromthebedtothedoorofthesalon，eachholdingoneofthelargebronze—giltcandelabrawhichVeroniquehadorderedfromParis。Thecrossandthechurchbannerwereheldoneithersideofthebedbywhite—hairedsacristans。Thankstothedevotionofherservants，awoodenaltarbroughtfromthesacristyhadbeenerectedclosetothedoorofthesalon，andsopreparedanddecoratedthatMonseigneurcouldsaymassuponit。
MadameGraslinwasdeeplytouchedbytheseattentions，whichtheChurch，asageneralthing，grantsonlytoroyalpersonages。Thefoldingdoorsbetweenthesalonandthedining—roomwereopen，andshecouldseeavistaoftheground—floorroomsfilledwiththevillagepopulation。Herfriendshadthoughtofeverything;thesalonwasoccupiedexclusivelybythemselvesandtheservantsofthehousehold。
Inthefrontrankandgroupedbeforethedoorofthebedroomwerehernearestfriends，thoseonwhosediscretionreliancecouldbeplaced。
MM。Grossetete，deGrandville，Roubaud，Gerard，Clousier，Ruffin，tookthefirstplaces。Theyhadarrangedamongthemselvesthattheyshouldriseandstandinagroup，thuspreventingthewordsoftherepentantwomanfrombeingheardinthefartherrooms;buttheirtearsandsobswould，inanycase，havedrownedhervoice。
Atthismomentandbeforeallelseinthataudience，twopersonspresented，toanobserver，apowerfullyaffectingsight。OnewasDeniseTascheron。Herforeigngarments，ofQuakersimplicity，madeherunrecognizablebyherformervillageacquaintance。Theotherwasquiteanotherpersonage，anacquaintancenottobeforgotten，andhisapparitiontherewaslikeastreakofluridlight。The/procureur—
general/camesuddenlytoaperceptionofthetruth;thepartthathehadplayedtoMadameGraslinunrolleditselfbeforehim;hedivinedittoitsfullestextent。Lessinfluenced，asasonofthenineteenthcentury，bythereligiousaspectofthematter，MonsieurdeGrandville’sheartwasfilledwithanawfuldread;forhesawbeforehim，hecontemplatedthedramaofthatwoman’shiddenselfatthehotelGraslinduringthetrialofJean—FrancoisTascheron。Thattragicperiodcamebackdistinctlytohismemory，——lightedevennowbythemother’seyes，shiningwithhatred，whichfelluponhimwherehestood，likedropsofmoltenlead。Thatoldwoman，standingtenfeetfromhim，forgavenothing。Thatman，representinghumanjustice，trembled。Pale，strucktotheheart，hedarednotcasthiseyesuponthebedwherelaythewomanhehadlovedsowell，nowlividbeneaththehandofdeath，gatheringstrengthtoconqueragonyfromthegreatnessofhersinanditsrepentance。ThemeresightofVeronique’sthinprofile，sharplydefinedinwhiteuponthecrimsondamask，causedhimavertigo。
Ateleveno’clockthemassbegan。AftertheepistlehadbeenreadbytherectorofVizaythearchbishopremovedhisdalmaticandadvancedtothethresholdofthebedroomdoor。
\"Christians，gatherheretoassistintheceremonyofextremeunctionwhichweareabouttoadministertothemistressofthishouse，\"hesaid，\"youwhojoinyourprayerstothoseoftheChurchandintercedewithGodtoobtainfromHimhereternalsalvation，youarenowtolearnthatshedoesnotfeelherselfworthy，inthis，herlasthour，toreceivetheholyviaticumwithouthavingmade，fortheedificationofherfellows，apublicconfessionofthegreatestofhersins。Wehaveresistedherpiouswish，althoughthisactofcontritionwaslonginuseduringtheearlyagesofChristianity。But，asthispoorwomantellsusthatherconfessionmayservetorehabilitateanunfortunatesonofthisparish，weleaveherfreetofollowtheinspirationsofherrepentance。\"
Afterthesewords，saidwithpastoralunctionanddignity，thearchbishopturnedasidetogiveplacetoVeronique。Thedyingwomancameforward，supportedbyheroldmotherandtherector，——themotherfromwhomshederivedherbody，theChurch，thespiritualmotherofhersoul。Shekneltdownonacushion，claspedherhands，andseemedtocollectherselfforafewmoments，asiftogatherfromsomesourcedescendingfromheaventhepowertospeak。Atthismomentthesilencewasalmostterrifying。Nonedaredlookattheirneighbor。Alleyeswerelowered。AndyettheeyesofVeronique，whensheraisedthem，encounteredthoseofthe/procureur—general/，andtheexpressiononthatblanchedfacebroughtthecolortohers。
\"Icouldnotdieinpeace，\"saidVeronique，inavoiceofdeepemotion，\"ifIsufferedthefalseimpressionyouallhaveofmetoremain。Youseeinmeaguiltywoman，whoasksyourprayers，andwhoseekstomakeherselfworthyofpardonbythispublicconfessionofhersin。Thatsinwassogreat，itsconsequencesweresofatal，thatperhapsnopenancecanatoneforit。ButthemorehumiliationIsubmittohereonearth，thelessImayhavetodreadthewrathofGodintheheavenlykingdomtowhichIamgoing。Myfather，whohadgreatconfidenceinme，commendedtomycare（nowtwentyyearsago）asonofthisparish，inwhomhehadseenagreatdesiretoimprovehimself，anaptitudeforstudy，andfinecharacteristics。ImeantheunfortunateJean—FrancoisTascheron，whothenceforthattachedhimselftomeashisbenefactress。HowdidtheaffectionIfeltforhimbecomeaguiltyone？Ithinkmyselfexcusedfromexplainingthis。Perhapsitcouldbeshownthatthepurestsentimentsbywhichweactinthisworldwereinsensiblydivertedfromtheircoursebyuntoldsacrifices，byreasonsarisingfromourhumanfrailty，bymanycauseswhichmightappeartodismisstheevilofmysin。Butevenifthenoblestaffectionsmovedme，wasIlessguilty？RatherletmeconfessthatI，whobyeducation，bypositionintheworld，mightconsidermyselfsuperiortotheyouthmyfatherconfidedtome，andfromwhomIwasseparatedbythenaturaldelicacyofoursex，——Ilistened，fatally，tothepromptingsofthedevil。Isoonfoundmyselftoomuchthemotherofthatyoungmantobeinsensibletohismuteanddelicateadmiration。Healone，hefirst，recognizedmytruevalue。Butperhapsahorriblecalculationenteredmymind。Ithoughthowdiscreetayouthwouldbewhoowedhisalltome，andwhomthechancesoflifehadputsofarawayfromme，thoughwewerebornequals。Imadeevenmyreputationforbenevolence，mypiousoccupations，acloaktoscreenmyconduct。Alas！——andthisisdoubtlessoneofmygreatestsins——Ihidmypassionundercoverofthealtar。Themostvirtuousofmyactions——theloveIboremymother，theactsofdevotionwhichweresincereandtrueinthemidstofmywrong—
doing——all，allweremadetoservetheendsofadesperatepassion，andwerelinksinthechainthatheldme。Mypoorbelovedmother，whohearsmenow，wasforalongtime，ignorantly，anaccompliceinmysin。Whenhereyeswereopened，toomanydangerousfactsexistednottogivehermother’sheartthestrengthtobesilent。Silencewithherhasbeenthehighestvirtue。HerloveforherdaughterhasgonebeyondherlovetoGod。Ah！Iheredischargehersolemnlyfromtheheavyburdenofsecrecywhichshehasborne。Sheshallendherdayswithoutcompellingeithereyesorbrowtolie。Lethermotherhoodstandclearofblame;letthatnoble，sacredoldage，crownedwithvirtue，shinewithitsnaturallustre，freedofthatlinkwhichboundherindirectlytoinfamy！\"
Tearscheckedthedyingwoman’svoiceforaninstant;Alinegavehersaltstoinhale。
\"ThereisnoonewhohasnotbeenbettertomethanIdeserve，\"shewenton，——\"eventhedevotedservantwhodoesthislastservice;shehasfeignedignoranceofwhatsheknew，butatleastshewasinthesecretofthepenancesbywhichIhavedestroyedthefleshthatsinned。IherebegpardonoftheworldforthelongdeceptiontowhichIhavebeenledbytheterriblelogicofsociety。Jean—FrancoisTascheronwasnotasguiltyasheseemed。Ah！youwhohearme，I
imploreyoutorememberhisyouth，andthemadnessexcitedinhimpartlybytheremorsethatseizeduponme，partlybyinvoluntaryseductions。Morethanthat！itwasasenseofhonor，thoughamistakenhonor，whichcausedthemostawfuloftheseevils。Neitherofuscouldendureourperpetualdeceit。Heappealed，unhappyman，tomyownrightfeeling;hesoughttomakeourfatalloveaslittlewoundingtoothersasitcouldbe。Wemeanttohideourselvesawayforever。ThusIwasthecause，thesolecause，ofhiscrime。Drivenbynecessity，theunhappyman，guiltyoftoomuchdevotiontoanidol，chosefromallevilactstheonewhichmightbehereafterreparable。Iknewnothingofittillthemomentofexecution。AtthatmomentthehandofGodthrewdownthatscaffoldingoffalsecontrivances——Iheardthecries;
theyechoinmyears！Idivinedthestruggle，whichIcouldnotstop，——I，thecauseofit！Tascheronwasmaddened;Iswearit。\"
HereVeroniqueturnedhereyesuponMonsieurdeGrandville，andasobwasheardtoissuefromDeniseTascheron’sbreast。
\"Helosthismindwhenhesawwhathethoughthishappinessdestroyedbyunforeseencircumstances。Theunhappyman，misledbyhislove，wentheadlongfromadelinquentacttocrime——fromrobberytoadoublemurder。Heleftmymother’shouseaninnocentman，hereturnedaguiltyone。Ialoneknewthattherewasneitherpremeditationnoranyoftheaggravatingcircumstancesonwhichhewassentencedtodeath。A
hundredtimesIthoughtofbetrayingmyselftosavehim;ahundredtimesahorribleandnecessaryrestraintstoppedthewordsuponmylips。Undoubtedly，mypresencenearthescenehadcontributedtogivehimtheodious，infamous，ignoblecourageofamurderer。Wereitnotforme，hewouldhavefled。Ihadformedthatsoul，trainedthatmind，enlargedthatheart;Iknewit;hewasincapableofcowardiceormeanness。Dojusticetothatinvoluntarilyguiltyarm，dojusticetohim，whomGod，inhismercy，hasallowedtosleepinhisquietgrave，whereyouhaveweptforhim，suspecting，itmaybe，theextenuatingtruth。Punish，cursetheguiltycreaturebeforeyou！Horrifiedbythecrimewhenoncecommitted，Ididmybesttohidemyshareinit。
Trustedbymyfather——I，whowaschildless——toleadachildtoGod，I
ledhimtothescaffold！Ah！punishme，curseme，thehourhascome！\"
Sayingthesewords，hereyesshonewiththestoicprideofasavage。
Thearchbishop，standingbehindher，andasifprotectingherwiththepastoralcross，abandonedhisimpassibledemeanorandcoveredhiseyeswithhisrighthand。Amuffledcrywasheard，asthoughsomeoneweredying。Twopersons，GerardandRoubaud，receivedandcarriedawayintheirarms，DeniseTascheron，unconscious。ThatsightseemedforaninstanttoquenchthefireinVeronique’seyes;shewasevidentlyuneasy;butsoonherself—controlandserenityofmartyrdomresumedtheirsway。
\"Younowknow，\"shecontinued，\"thatIdeserveneitherpraiseorblessingformyconducthere。IhaveledinsightofHeaven，asecretlifeofbitterpenancewhichHeavenwillestimate。MylifebeforemenhasbeenanimmensereparationfortheevilsIhavecaused;Ihavemarkedmyrepentanceineffaceablyontheearth;itwilllastalmosteternallyherebelow。Itiswrittenonthosefertilefields，intheprosperousvillage，intherivuletsbroughtfromthemountainstowatertheplainoncebarrenandfruitless，nowgreenandfertile。Notatreewillbecutforahundredyearstocomebutthepeopleofthisregionwillknowoftheremorsethatmadeitgrow。Myrepentantsoulwillstilllivehereamongyou。Whatyouwillowetoitsefforts，toafortunehonorablyacquired，istheheritageofitsrepentance，——therepentanceofherwhocausedthecrime。Allhasbeenrepairedsofarassocietyisconcerned;butIamstillresponsibleforthatlife，crushedinitsbud，——alifeconfidedtomeandforwhichIamnowrequiredtorenderanaccount。\"
Theflameofhereyeswasveiledintears。
\"Thereishere，beforeme，aman，\"shecontinued，\"who，becausehedidhisdutystrictly，hasbeentomeanobjectofhatredwhichIthoughteternal。Hewasthefirstinflictorofmypunishment。Myfeetwerestilltoodeepinblood，Iwastoonearthedeed，nottohatejustice。
Solongasthatrootofangerlayinmyheart，Iknewtherewasstillalingeringremnantofcondemnablepassion。Ihadnothingtoforgivethatman，IhaveonlyhadtopurifythatcornerofmyheartwhereEvillurked。Howeverharditmayhavebeentowinthatvictory，itiswon。\"
MonsieurdeGrandvilleturnedafacetoVeroniquethatwasbathedintears。Humanjusticeseemedatthatmomenttofeelremorse。Whentheconfessingwomanraisedherheadasiftocontinue，shemettheagonizinglookofoldmanGrossetete，whostretchedhissupplicatinghandstoherasiftosay，\"Enough，enough！\"Atthesameinstantasoundoftearsandsobswasheard。Movedbysuchsympathy，unabletobearthebalmofthisgeneralpardon，shewasseizedwithfaintness。
Seeingthatherdaughter’svitalforcewasgoneatlast，theoldmothersummonedthevigorofheryouthtocarryheraway。
\"Christians，\"saidthearchbishop，\"youhaveheardtheconfessionofthatpenitentwoman;itconfirmsthesentenceofhumanjustice。YououghttoseeinthisfreshreasontojoinyourprayerstothoseoftheChurchwhichofferstoGodtheholysacrificeofthemass，toimplorehismercyinfavorofsodeeparepentance。\"
Theserviceswenton。Veronique，lyingonthebed，followedthemwithalookofsuchinwardcontentmentthatsheseemed，toeveryeye，nolongerthesamewoman。Onherfacewasthecandidandvirtuousexpressionofthepureyounggirlsuchasshehadbeeninherparents’
home。Thedawnofeternallifewasalreadywhiteningherbrowandglorifyingherfacewithitscelestialtints。Doubtlesssheheardthemysticharmonies，andgatheredstrengthtolivefromherdesiretouniteherselfoncemorewithGodinthelastcommunion。Therectorcamebesidethebedandgaveherabsolution。Thearchbishopadministeredthesacredoilswithafatherlytendernessthatshowedtoalltherepresenthowdearthelostbutnowrecoveredlambhadbeentohim。Then，withthesacredanointing，heclosedtothethingsofearththoseeyeswhichhaddonesuchevil，andlaidthesealoftheChurchuponthelipsthatwereoncetooeloquent。Theears，bywhichsomanyevilinspirationshadpenetratedhermind，wereclosedforever。Allthesenses，deadenedbyrepentance，werethussanctified，andthespiritofevilcouldhavenofurtherpowerwithinhersoul。
NeverdidassistantsofthisceremonymorefullyunderstandthegrandeurandprofundityofthesacramentthanthosewhonowsawtheactsoftheChurchjustlyfollowingtheconfessionofthatdyingwoman。
Thusprepared，VeroniquereceivedthebodyofJesusChristwithanexpressionofhopeandjoywhichmeltedtheiceofunbeliefagainstwhichtherectorhadsooftenbruisedhimself。Roubaud，confoundedinallhisopinions，becameaCatholiconthespot。Thescenewastouchingandyetawesome;thesolemnityofitseveryfeaturewassogreatthatpaintersmighthavefoundtherethesubjectofamasterpiece。
Whenthisfuneralpartwasover，andthedyingwomanheardthepriestsbeginthereadingofthegospelofSaintJohn，shesignedtohermothertobringherson，whohadbeentakenfromtheroombyhistutor。WhenshesawFranciskneelingbythebedsidethepardonedmotherfeltshehadtherighttolayherhanduponhisheadandblesshim。Doingso，shedied。
OldMadameSauviatwasthere，atherpost，erectasshehadbeenfortwentyyears。Thiswoman，heroicafterherfashion，closedherdaughter’seyes——thoseeyesthathadweptsomuch——andkissedthem。
Allthepriests，followedbythechoristers，surroundedthebed。Bytheflaminglightofthetorchestheychantedtheterrible/DeProfundis/，theechoesofwhichtoldthepopulationkneelingbeforethechateau，thefriendsprayinginthesalon，theservantsintheadjoiningrooms，thatthemotherofthecantonwasdead。Thehymnwasaccompaniedwithmoansandtears。Theconfessionofthatgrandwomanhadnotbeenaudiblebeyondthethresholdofthesalon，andnonebutlovingearshadheardit。
Whenthepeasantsoftheneighborhood，joiningwiththoseofMontegnac，came，onebyone，tolayupontheirbenefactressthecustomarypalm，togetherwiththeirlastfarewellmingledwithprayersandtears，theysawthemanofjustice，crushedbygrief，holdingthehandofthewomanwhom，withoutintendingit，hehadsocruellybutsojustlystricken。
Twodayslaterthe/procureur—general/，Grossetete，thearchbishop，andthemayor，holdingthecornersoftheblackpall，conductedthebodyofMadameGraslintoitslastresting—place。Itwaslaidinthegraveindeepsilence;notawordwassaid;noonehadstrengthtospeak;alleyeswerefulloftears。\"Sheisnowasaint！\"wassaidbythepeasantsastheywentawayalongtheroadsofthecantontowhichshehadgivenprosperity，——sayingthewordstohercreationsasthoughtheywereanimatebeings。
NoonethoughtitstrangethatMadameGraslinwasburiedbesidethebodyofJean—FrancoisTascheron。Shehadnotaskedit;buttheoldmother，asthelastactofhertenderpity，hadrequestedthesextontomakethegravethere，——puttingtogetherthosewhomearthhadsoviolentlyparted，andwhosesoulswerenowreunitedthroughrepentanceinpurgatory。
MadameGraslin’swillwasfoundtobeallthatwasexpectedofit。ShefoundedscholarshipsandhospitalbedsatLimogessolelyforworking—
men;sheassignedaconsiderablesum——threehundredthousandfrancsinsixyears——forthepurchaseofthatpartofthevillagecalledLesTascherons，whereshedirectedthatahospitalshouldbebuilt。Thishospital，intendedfortheindigentoldpersonsofthecanton，forthesick，forlying—inwomenifpaupers，andforfoundlings，wastobecalledtheTascheronHospital。VeroniqueorderedittobeplacedinchargeoftheGraySisters，andfixedthesalariesofthesurgeonandthephysicianatfourthousandfrancsforeach。SherequestedRoubaudtobethefirstphysicianofthishospital，placinguponhimthechoiceofthesurgeon，andrequestinghimtosuperintendtheerectionofthebuildingwithreferencetosanitaryarrangements，conjointlywithGerard，whowastobethearchitect。ShealsogavetothevillageofMontegnacanextentofpasturelandsufficienttopayallitstaxes。Thechurch，sheendowedwithafundtobeusedforaspecialpurpose，namely:watchwastobekeptoveryoungworkmen，andcasesdiscoveredinwhichsomevillageyouthmightshowadispositionforart，orscience，ormanufactures;theinterestofthefundwasthentobeusedinfosteringit。Theintelligentbenevolenceofthetestatrixnamedthesumthatshouldbetakenforeachoftheseencouragements。
ThenewsofMadameGraslin’sdeath，receivedthroughoutthedepartmentasacalamity，wasnotaccompaniedbyanyrumorinjurioustothememoryofthiswoman。Thisdiscretionwasahomagerenderedtosomanyvirtuesbythehard—workingCatholicpopulation，whichrenewedinthislittlecornerofFrancethemiraclesofthe\"LettresEdifiantes。\"
Gerard，appointedguardianofFrancisGraslin，andobliged，bytermsofthewill，toresideatthechateau，movedthere。ButhedidnotmarryDeniseTascheronuntilthreemonthsafterVeronique’sdeath。Inher，Francisfoundasecondmother。
