\"Pierrette，\"shesaid，\"youarenolongerachild;youarenearlyfifteen，anditisnotatallsurprisingthatyoushouldhavealover。\"
\"But，cousin，\"saidPierrette，raisinghereyeswithangelicsweetnesstothecold，sourfaceofhercousin，\"Whatisalover？\"
ItwouldhavebeenimpossibleforSylvietodefinealoverwithtruthanddecencytothegirl’smind。Insteadofseeinginthatquestiontheproofofadorableinnocence，sheconsidereditapieceofinsincerity。
\"Alover，Pierrette，isamanwholovesusandwishestomarryus。\"
\"Ah，\"saidPierrette，\"whenthathappensinBrittanywecalltheyoungmanasuitor。\"
\"Well，rememberthatinowningyourfeelingsforamanyoudonowrong，mydear。Thewrongisinhidingthem。Haveyoupleasedsomeofthemenwhovisithere？\"
\"Idon’tthinkso，cousin。\"
\"Doyouloveanyofthem？\"
\"No。\"
\"Certain？\"
\"Quitecertain。\"
\"Lookatme，Pierrette。\"
PierrettelookedatSylvie。
\"Amancalledtoyouthismorninginthesquare。\"
Pierretteloweredhereyes。
\"Youwenttoyourwindow，youopenedit，andyouspoketohim。\"
\"Nocousin，IwenttolookoutandIsawapeasant。\"
\"Pierrette，youhavemuchimprovedsinceyoumadeyourfirstcommunion;youhavebecomepiousandobedient，youloveGodandyourrelations;Iamsatisfiedwithyou。Idon’tsaythistopuffyouupwithpride。\"
Thehorriblecreaturehadmistakendespondency，submission，thesilenceofwretchedness，forvirtues！
Thesweetestofallconsolationstosufferingsouls，tomartyrs，toartists，intheworstofthatdivineagonywhichhatredandenvyforceuponthem，istomeetwithpraisewheretheyhavehithertofoundcensureandinjustice。Pierretteraisedhergratefuleyestohercousin，feelingthatshecouldalmostforgiveherforthesufferingsshehadcaused。
\"Butifitisallhypocrisy，ifIfindyouaserpentthatIhavewarmedinmybosom，youwillbeawickedgirl，aninfamouscreature！\"
\"IthinkIhavenothingtoreproachmyselfwith，\"saidPierrette，withapainfulrevulsionofherheartatthesuddenchangefromunexpectedpraisetothetonesofthehyena。
\"Youknowthattolieisamortalsin？\"
\"Yes，cousin。\"
\"Well，youarenowundertheeyeofGod，\"saidtheoldmaid，withasolemngesturetowardsthesky;\"sweartomethatyoudidnotknowthatpeasant。\"
\"Iwillnotswear，\"saidPierrette。
\"Ha！hewasnopeasant，youlittleviper。\"
Pierretterushedawaylikeafrightenedfawnterrifiedathertone。
Sylviecalledherinadreadfulvoice。
\"Thebellisringing，\"sheanswered。
\"Artfulwretch！\"thoughtSylvie。\"Sheisdepravedinmind;andnowI
amcertainthelittleadderhaswoundherselfroundthecolonel。Shehasheardussayhewasabaron。Tobeabaroness！littlefool！Ah！
I’llgetridofher，I’llapprenticeherout，andsoontoo！\"
Sylviewassolostinthoughtthatshedidnotnoticeherbrothercomingdownthepathandbemoaningtheinjurythefrosthaddonetohisdahlias。
\"Sylvie！whatareyouthinkingabout？Ithoughtyouwerelookingatthefish;sometimestheyjumpoutofthewater。\"
\"No，\"saidSylvie。
\"Howdidyousleep？\"andhebegantotellherabouthisowndreams。
\"Don’tyouthinkmyskinisgetting/tabid/？\"——awordintheRogronvocabulary。
EversinceRogronhadbeeninlove，——butletusnotprofanetheword，——eversincehehaddesiredtomarryMademoiselledeChargeboeuf，hewasveryuneasyabouthimselfandhishealth。AtthismomentPierrettecamedownthegardenstepsandcalledtothemfromadistancethatbreakfastwasready。Atsightofhercousin，Sylvie’sskinturnedgreenandyellow，herbilewasincommotion。ShelookedatthefloorofthecorridoranddeclaredthatPierretteoughttorubit。
\"Iwillrubitnowifyouwish，\"saidthelittleangel，notawareoftheinjurysuchworkmaydotoayounggirl。
Thedining—roomwasirreproachablyinorder。Sylviesatdownandpretendedallthroughbreakfasttowantthis，that，andtheotherthingwhichshewouldneverhavethoughtofinaquietermoment，andwhichshenowaskedforonlytomakePierretteriseagainandagainjustasthechildwasbeginningtoeatherfood。Butsuchmereteasingwasnotenough;shewantedasubjectonwhichtofindfault，andwasangrywithherselffornotfindingone。Shescarcelyansweredherbrother’ssillyremarks，yetshelookedathimonly;hereyesavoidedPierrette。Pierrettewasdeeplyconsciousofallthis。Shebroughtthemilkmixedwithcreamforeachcousininalargesilvergoblet，afterheatingitcarefullyinthe/bain—marie/。ThebrotherandsisterpouredinthecoffeemadebySylvieherselfonthetable。WhenSylviehadcarefullypreparedhers，shesawanatomofcoffee—groundsfloatingonthesurface。Onthisthestormbrokeforth。
\"Whatisthematter？\"askedRogron。
\"Thematteristhatmademoisellehasputdustinmymilk。DoyousupposeIamgoingtodrinkcoffeewithashesinit？Well，Iamnotsurprised;noonecandotwothingsatonce。Shewasn’tthinkingofthemilk！ablackbirdmighthaveflownthroughthekitchento—dayandshewouldn’thaveseenit！howshouldsheseethedustflying！andthenitwasmycoffee，ha！thatdidn’tsignify！\"
Asshespokeshewaslayingonthesideofherplatethecoffee—
groundsthathadrunthroughthefilter。
\"But，cousin，thatiscoffee，\"saidPierrette。
\"Oh！thenitisIwhotelllies，isit？\"criedSylvie，lookingatPierretteandblastingherwithafearfulflashofangerfromhereyes。
Organizationswhichhavenotbeenexhaustedbypowerfulemotionsoftenhaveavastamountofthevitalfluidattheirservice。ThisphenomenonoftheextremeclearnessoftheeyeinmomentsofangerwasthemoremarkedinMademoiselleRogronbecauseshehadoftenexercisedthepowerofhereyesinhershopbyopeningthemtotheirfullextentforthepurposeofinspiringherdependentswithsalutaryfear。
\"Youhadbetterdaretogivemethelie！\"continuedSylvie;\"youdeservetobesentfromthetabletogoandeatbyyourselfinthekitchen。\"
\"What’sthematterwithyoutwo？\"criedRogron，\"youareascrossasbearsthismorning。\"
\"MademoiselleknowswhatIhaveagainsther，\"saidSylvie。\"Ileavehertomakeuphermindbeforespeakingtoyou;forImeantoshowhermorekindnessthanshedeserves。\"
Pierrettewaslookingoutofthewindowtoavoidhercousin’seyes，whichfrightenedher。
\"Lookather！shepaysnomoreattentiontowhatIamsayingthanifI
werethatsugar—basin！Andyetmademoisellehasasharpear;shecanhearandanswerfromthetopofthehousewhensomeonetalkstoherfrombelow。Sheisperversityitself，——perversity，Isay;andyouneedn’texpectanygoodofher;doyouhearme，Jerome？\"
\"Whathasshedonewrong？\"askedRogron。
\"Atherage，too！tobeginsoyoung！\"screamedtheangryoldmaid。
Pierretterosetoclearthetableandgiveherselfsomethingtodo，forshecouldhardlybearthesceneanylonger。Thoughsuchlanguagewasnotnewtoher，shehadneverbeenabletogetusedtoit。Hercousin’srageseemedtoaccuseherofsomecrime。SheimaginedwhatherfurywouldbeifshecametoknowaboutBrigaut。Perhapshercousinwouldhavehimsentaway，andsheshouldlosehim！Allthemanythoughts，thedeepandrapidthoughtsofaslavecametoher，andsheresolvedtokeepabsolutesilenceaboutacircumstanceinwhichherconsciencetoldhertherewasnothingwrong。Butthecruel，bitterwordsshehadbeenmadetohearandthewoundingsuspicionsoshockedherthatasshereachedthekitchenshewastakenwithaconvulsionofthestomachandturneddeadlysick。Shedarednotcomplain;shewasnotsurethatanyonewouldhelpher。Whenshereturnedtothedining—
roomshewaswhiteasasheet，and，sayingshewasnotwell，shestartedtogotobed，draggingherselfupstepbystepbythebalusterandthinkingthatshewasgoingtodie。\"PoorBrigaut！\"shethought。
\"Thegirlisill，\"saidRogron。
\"Sheill！That’sonly/shamming/，\"repliedSylvie，inaloudvoicethatPierrettemighthear。\"Shewaswellenoughthismorning，Icantellyou。\"
ThislastblowstruckPierrettetotheearth;shewenttobedweepingandprayingtoGodtotakeheroutofthisworld。
VII
DOMESTICTYRANNY
ForamonthpastRogronhadceasedtocarrythe\"Constitutionnel\"toGouraud;thecolonelcameobsequiouslytofetchhispaper，gossipalittle，andtakeRogronofftowalkiftheweatherwasfine。Sureofseeingthecolonelandbeingabletoquestionhim，Sylviedressedherselfascoquettishlyassheknewhow。Theoldmaidthoughtshewasattractiveinagreengown，ayellowshawlwitharedborder，andawhitebonnetwithstragglinggrayfeathers。AboutthehourwhenthecolonelusuallycameSylviestationedherselfinthesalonwithherbrother，whomshehadcompelledtostayinthehouseinhisdressing—
gownandslippers。
\"Itisafineday，colonel，\"saidRogron，whenGouraudwithhisheavystepenteredtheroom。\"ButI’mnotdressed;mysisterwantedtogoout，andIwasgoingtokeepthehouse。Waitforme;I’llbereadysoon。\"
Sosaying，RogronleftSylviealonewiththecolonel。
\"Wherewereyougoing？youaredresseddivinely，\"saidGouraud，whonoticedacertainsolemnityonthepock—markedfaceoftheoldmaid。
\"Iwantedverymuchtogoout，butmylittlecousinisill，andI
cannotleaveher。\"
\"Whatisthematterwithher？\"
\"Idon’tknow;shehadtogotobed。\"
Gouraud’scaution，nottosayhisdistrust，wasconstantlyexcitedbytheresultsofhisalliancewithVinet。Itcertainlyappearedthatthelawyerhadgotthelion’sshareintheirenterprise。Vinetcontrolledthepaper，hereignedassolemasteroverit，hetooktherevenues;
whereasthecolonel，theresponsibleeditor，earnedlittle。VinetandCournanthaddonetheRogronsgreatservices;whereasGouraud，acolonelonhalf—pay，coulddonothing。Whowastobedeputy？Vinet。
Whowasthechiefauthorityintheparty？Vinet。Whomdidtheliberalsallconsult？Vinet。Moreover，thecolonelknewfullyaswellasVinethimselftheextentanddepthofthepassionsuddenlyarousedinRogronbythebeautifulBathildedeChargeboeuf。Thispassionhadnowbecomeintense，likeallthelastpassionsofmen。Bathilde’svoicemadehimtremble。AbsorbedinhisdesiresRogronhidthem;hedarednothopeforsuchamarriage。Tosoundhim，thecolonelmentionedthathewasthinkinghimselfofaskingforBathilde’shand。Rogronturnedpaleatthethoughtofsuchaformidablerival，andhadsincethenshowncoldnessandevenhatredtoGouraud。
ThusVinetreignedsupremeintheRogronhouseholdwhilehe，thecolonel，hadnoholdthereexceptbytheextremelyhypotheticaltieofhismendaciousaffectionforSylvie，whichitwasnotyetclearthatSylviereciprocated。Whenthelawyertoldhimofthepriest’smanoeuvre，andadvisedhimtobreakwithSylvieandmarryPierrette，hecertainlyflatteredGouraud’sfoible;butafteranalyzingtheinnerpurposeofthatadviceandexaminingthegroundallabouthim，thecolonelthoughtheperceivedinhisallytheintentionofseparatinghimfromSylvie，andprofitingbyherfearstothrowthewholeRogronpropertyintothehandsofMademoiselledeChargeboeuf。
Therefore，whenthecolonelwasleftalonewithSylviehisperspicacitypossesseditselfimmediatelyofcertainsignswhichbetrayedheruneasiness。Hesawatoncethatshewasunderarmsandhadmadethisplanforseeinghimalone。AshealreadysuspectedVinetofplayinghimsometrick，heattributedtheconferencetotheinstigationofthelawyer，andwasinstantlyonhisguard，ashewouldhavebeeninanenemy’scountry，——withaneyeallabouthim，aneartothefaintestsound，hismindonthequivive，andhishandonaweapon。Thecolonelhadthedefectofneverbelievingasinglewordsaidtohimbyawoman;sothatwhentheoldmaidbroughtPierretteonthescene，andtoldhimshehadgonetobedbeforemidday，heconcludedthatSylviehadlockedherupbywayofpunishmentandoutofjealousy。
\"Sheisgettingtobequitepretty，thatlittlething，\"hesaidwithaneasyair。
\"Shewillbepretty，\"repliedMademoiselleRogron。
\"YououghttosendhertoParisandputherinashop，\"continuedthecolonel。\"Shewouldmakeherfortune。Themillinersallwantprettygirls。\"
\"Isthatreallyyouradvice？\"askedSylvie，inatroubledvoice。
\"Good！\"thoughtthecolonel，\"Iwasright。VinetadvisedmetomarryPierrettejusttospoilmychancewiththeoldharridan。But，\"hesaidaloud，\"whatelsecanyoudowithher？There’sthatbeautifulgirlBathildedeChargeboeuf，nobleandwell—connected，reducedtosingle—
blessedness，——nobodywillhaveher。Pierrettehasnothing，andshe’llnevermarry。Asforbeauty，whatisit？Tome，forexample，youthandbeautyarenothing;forhaven’tIbeenacaptainofcavalryintheimperialguard，andcarriedmyspursintoallthecapitalsofEurope，andknownallthehandsomestwomenofthesecapitals？Don’ttalktome;Itellyouyouthandbeautyaredevilishlycommonandsilly。Atforty—eight，\"hewenton，addingafewyearstohisage，tomatchSylvie’s，\"aftersurvivingtheretreatfromMoscowandgoingthroughthatterriblecampaignofFrance，amanisbrokendown;I’mnothingbutanoldfellownow。Awomanlikeyouwouldpetmeandcareforme，andhermoney，joinedtomypoorpension，wouldgivemeeaseinmyolddays;ofcourseIshouldprefersuchawomantoalittleminxwhowouldworrythelifeoutofme，andbethirtyyearsold，withpassions，whenIshouldbesixty，withrheumatism。Atmyage，amanconsidersandcalculates。Totellyouthetruthbetweenourselves，I
shouldnotwishtohavechildren。\"
Sylvie’sfacewasanopenbooktothecolonelduringthistirade，andhernextquestionprovedtohimVinet’sperfidy。
\"Thenyoudon’tlovePierrette？\"shesaid。
\"Heavens！areyououtofyourmind，mydearSylvie？\"hecried。\"Canthosewhohavenoteethcracknuts？ThankGodI’vegotsomecommon—
senseandknowwhatI’mabout。\"
Sylviethusreassuredresolvednottoshowherownhand，andthoughtherselfveryshrewdinputtingherownideasintoherbrother’smouth。
\"Jerome，\"shesaid，\"thoughtofthematch。\"
\"Howcouldyourbrothertakeupsuchanincongruousidea？Why，itisonlyafewdaysagothat，inordertofindouthissecrets，ItoldhimIlovedBathilde。Heturnedaswhiteasyourcollar。\"
\"Mybrother！doesheloveBathilde？\"askedSylvie。
\"Madly，——andyetBathildeisonlyafterhismoney。\"（\"Oneforyou，Vinet！\"thoughtthecolonel。）\"Ican’tunderstandwhyheshouldhavetoldyouthataboutPierrette。No，Sylvie，\"hesaid，takingherhandandpressingitinacertainway，\"sinceyouhaveopenedthismatter\"
（hedrewnearertoher），\"well\"（hekissedherhand;asacavalrycaptainhehadalreadyprovedhiscourage），\"letmetellyouthatI
desirenowifebutyou。Thoughsuchamarriagemaylooklikeoneofconvenience，Ifeel，onmyside，asincereaffectionforyou。\"
\"ButifI/wish/youtomarryPierrette？ifIleavehermyfortune——
eh，colonel？\"
\"ButIdon’twanttobemiserableinmyhome，andinlessthantenyearsseeapopinjaylikeJulliardhoveringroundmywifeandaddressingversestoherinthenewspapers。I’mtoomuchofamantostandthat。No，Iwillnevermakeamarriagethatisdisproportionateinage。\"
\"Well，colonel，wewilltalkseriouslyofthisanothertime，\"saidSylvie，castingaglanceuponhimwhichshesupposedtobefulloflove，though，inpointoffact，itwasagooddeallikethatofanogress。Hercold，bluelipsofaviolettingedrewbackfromtheyellowteeth，andshethoughtshesmiled。
\"I’mready，\"saidRogron，cominginandcarryingoffthecolonel，whobowedinalover—likewaytotheoldmaid。
GourauddeterminedtopressonhismarriagewithSylvie，andmakehimselfmasterofthehouse;resolvingtoridhimself，throughhisinfluenceoverSylvieduringthehoneymoon，ofBathildeandCelesteHabert。So，duringtheirwalk，hetoldRogronhehadbeenjokingtheotherday;thathehadnorealintentionofaspiringtoBathilde;thathewasnotrichenoughtomarryawomanwithoutfortune;andthenheconfidedtohimhisrealwishes，declaringthathehadlongchosenSylvieforhergoodqualities，——inshort，heaspiredtothehonorofbeingRogron’sbrother—in—law。
\"Ah，colonel，mydearbaron！ifnothingiswantingbutmyconsentyouhaveitwithnofurtherdelaythanthelawrequires，\"criedRogron，delightedtoberidofhisformidablerival。
Sylviespentthemorninginherownroomconsideringhowthenewhouseholdcouldbearranged。Shedeterminedtobuildasecondstoreyforherbrotherandtofurnishtherestforherselfandherhusband;
butshealsoresolved，inthetrueold—maidishspirit，tosubjectthecoloneltocertainproofsbywhichtojudgeofhisheartandhismoralsbeforeshefinallycommittedherself。Shewasstillsuspicious，andwantedtomakesurethatPierrettehadnoprivateintercoursewiththecolonel。
Pierrettecamedownbeforethedinner—hourtolaythetable。Sylviehadbeenforcedtocookthedinner，andhadswornatthat\"cursedPierrette\"foraspotshehadmadeonhergown，——wasn’titplainthatifPierrettehaddoneherownworkSylviewouldn’thavegotthatgrease—spotonhersilkdress？
\"Oh，hereyouare，/peakling/？Youarelikethedogofthemarshalwhowokeupassoonasthesaucepansrattled。Ha！youwantustothinkyouareill，youlittleliar！\"
Thatidea：\"Youdidnottellthetruthaboutwhathappenedinthesquarethismorning，thereforeyoulieineverything，\"wasahammerwithwhichSylviebatteredtheheadandalsotheheartofthepoorgirlincessantly。
ToPierrette’sgreatastonishmentSylviesenthertodressinherbestclothesafterdinner。Theliveliestimaginationisneveruptotheleveloftheactivitywhichsuspicionexcitesinthemindofanoldmaid。Inthisparticularcase，thisparticularoldmaidcarriedthedayagainstpoliticians，lawyers，notaries，andallotherself—
interests。SylviedeterminedtoconsultVinet，afterexaminingherselfintoallthesuspiciouscircumstances。ShekeptPierretteclosetoher，soastofindoutfromthegirl’sfacewhetherthecolonelhadtoldherthetruth。
OnthisparticulareveningtheChargeboeufladieswerethefirsttoarrive。Bathilde，byVinet’sadvice，hadbecomemoreelaborateinherdress。Shenowworeacharminggownofbluevelveteen，withthesametransparentfichu，garnetpendantsinherears，herhairinringlets，thewily/jeannette/roundherthroat，blacksatinslippers，graysilkstockings，and/gantsdeSuede/;addtothesethingsthemannersofaqueenandthecoquetryofayounggirldeterminedtocaptureRogron。
Hermother，calmanddignified，retained，asdidherdaughter，acertainaristocraticinsolence，withwhichthetwowomenhedgedthemselvesandpreservedthespiritoftheircaste。Bathildewasawomanofintelligence，afactwhichVinetalonehaddiscoveredduringthetwomonths’staytheladieshadmadeathishouse。Whenhehadfullyfathomedthemindofthegirl，woundedanddisappointedasitwasbythefruitlessnessofherbeautyandheryouth，andenlightenedbythecontemptshefeltforthemenofaperiodinwhichmoneywastheonlyidol，Vinet，himselfsurprised，exclaimed，——
\"IfIcouldonlyhavemarriedyou，Bathilde，Ishouldto—daybeKeeperoftheSeals。IshouldcallmyselfVinetdeChargeboeuf，andtakemyseatasdeputyoftheRight。\"
Bathildehadnovulgarideainhermarriageintentions。Shedidnotmarrytobeamother，nortopossessahusband;shemarriedforfreedom，togainaresponsibleposition，tobecalled\"madame，\"andtoactasmenact。Rogronwasnothingbutanametoher;sheexpectedtomakesomethingofthefool，——avotingdeputy，forinstance，whoseinstigatorshewouldbe;moreover，shelongedtoavengeherselfonherfamily，whohadtakennonoticeofagirlwithoutmoney。Vinethadmuchenlargedandstrengthenedherideasbyadmiringandapprovingthem。
\"MydearBathilde，\"hesaid，whileexplainingtohertheinfluenceofwomen，andshowingherthesphereofactioninwhichsheoughttowork，\"doyousupposethatTiphaine，amanofthemostordinarycapacity，couldevergettobeajudgeoftheRoyalcourtinParisbyhimself？No，itisMadameTiphainewhohasgothimelecteddeputy，anditisshewhowillpushhimwhentheygettoParis。Hermother，MadameRoguin，isashrewdwoman，whodoeswhatshelikeswiththefamousbankerduTillet，acronyofNucingen，andbothofthemalliesoftheKellers。Theadministrationisonthebestoftermswiththoselynxesofthebank。ThereisnoreasonwhyTiphaineshouldnotbejudge，throughhiswife，ofaRoyalcourt。MarryRogron;we’llhavehimelecteddeputyfromProvinsassoonasIgainanotherprecinctintheSeine—et—Marne。Youcanthengethimaplaceasreceiver—general，wherehe’llhavenothingtodobutsignhisname。Weshallbelongtotheopposition/if/theLiberalstriumph，butiftheBourbonsremain——
ah！thenweshallleangently，gentlytowardsthecentre。Besides，youmustrememberRogroncan’tliveforever，andthenyoucanmarryatitledman。Inshort，putyourselfinagoodposition，andtheChargeboeufswillbereadyenoughtoserveus。Yourpovertyhasnodoubttaughtyou，asminedidme，toknowwhatmenareworth。Wemustmakeuseofthemaswedoofpost—horses。Aman，orawoman，willtakeusalongtosuchorsuchadistance。\"
VinetendedbymakingBathildeasmalleditionofCatherinedeMedicis。Helefthiswifeathome，rejoicedtobealonewithhertwochildren，whilehewenteverynighttotheRogrons’withMadameandMademoiselledeChargeboeuf。Hearrivedthereinallthegloryofbettercircumstances。Hisspectacleswereofgold，hiswaistcoatsilk;
awhitecravat，blacktrousers，thinboots，ablackcoatmadeinParis，andagoldwatchandchain，madeuphisapparel。InplaceoftheformerVinet，paleandthin，snarlingandgloomy，thepresentVinetborehimselfwiththeairandmannerofamanofimportance;hemarchedboldlyforward，certainofsuccess，withthatpeculiarshowofsecuritywhichbelongstolawyerswhoknowthehiddenplacesofthelaw。Hisslylittleheadwaswell—brushed，hischinwell—shaved，whichgavehimamincingthoughfrigidlook，thatmadehimseemagreeableinthestyleofRobespierre。Certainlyhewouldmakeafineattorney—
general，endowedwithelastic，mischievous，andevenmurderouseloquence，oranoratoroftheshrewdtypeofBenjaminConstant。Thebitternessandthehatredwhichformerlyactuatedhimhadnowturnedintosoft—spokenperfidy;thepoisonwastransformedintoanodyne。
\"Good—evening，mydear;howareyou？\"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf，greetingSylvie。
Bathildewentstraighttothefireplace，tookoffherbonnet，lookedatherselfintheglass，andplacedherprettyfootonthefenderthatRogronmightadmireit。
\"Whatisthematterwithyou？\"shesaidtohim，lookingdirectlyinhisface。\"Youhavenotbowedtome。Praywhyshouldweputonourbestvelvetgownstopleaseyou？\"
ShepushedpastPierrettetolaydownherhat，whichthelattertookfromherhand，andwhichshelethertakeexactlyasthoughshewereaservant。Menaresupposedtobeferocious，andtigerstoo;butneithertigers，vipers，diplomatists，lawyers，executionersorkingseverapproach，intheirgreatestatrocities，thegentlecruelty，thepoisonedsweetness，thesavagedisdainofoneyoungwomanforanother，whenshethinksherselfsuperiorinbirth，orfortune，orgrace，andsomequestionofmarriage，orprecedence，oranyofthefemininerivalries，israised。The\"Thankyou，mademoiselle，\"whichBathildesaidtoPierrettewasapoeminmanystrophes。ShewasnamedBathilde，andtheotherPierrette。ShewasaChargeboeuf，theotheraLorrain。
Pierrettewassmallandweak，Bathildewastallandfulloflife。
Pierrettewaslivingoncharity，Bathildeandhermotherlivedontheirmeans。Pierretteworeastuffgownwithachemisette，Bathildemadethevelvetofhersundulate。Bathildehadthefinestshouldersinthedepartment，andthearmofaqueen;Pierrette’sshoulder—bladeswereskinandbone。PierrettewasCinderella，Bathildewasthefairy。
Bathildewasabouttomarry，Pierrettewastodieamaid。Bathildewasadored，Pierrettewaslovedbynone。Bathilde’shairwasravishinglydressed，shehadsomuchtaste;Pierrette’swashiddenbeneathherBretoncap，andsheknewnothingofthefashions。Moral，Bathildewaseverything，Pierrettenothing。TheproudlittleBretongirlunderstoodthistragicpoem。
\"Good—evening，littlegirl，\"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf，fromtheheightofhercondescendinggrandeur，andinthetoneofvoicewhichherpinchednosegaveher。
VinetputthelasttouchtothissortofinsultbylookingfixedlyatPierretteandsaying，inthreekeys，\"Oh！oh！oh！howfineweareto—night，Pierrette！\"
\"Fine！\"saidthepoorchild;\"youshouldsaythattoMademoiselledeChargeboeuf，nottome。\"
\"Oh！sheisalwaysbeautifullydressed，\"repliedthelawyer。\"Isn’tshe，Rogron？\"headded，turningtothemasterofthehouse，andgraspinghishand。
\"Yes，\"saidRogron。
\"Whydoyouforcehimtosaywhathedoesnotthink？\"saidBathilde;
\"nothingaboutmepleaseshim。Isn’tthattrue？\"sheadded，goinguptoRogronandstandingbeforehim。\"Lookatme，andsayifitisn’ttrue。\"
Rogronlookedatherfromheadtofoot，andgentlyclosedhiseyeslikeacatwhoseheadisbeingscratched。
\"Youaretoobeautiful，\"hesaid;\"toodangerous。\"
\"Why？\"
Rogronlookedatthefireandwassilent。JustthenMademoiselleHabertenteredtheroom，followedbythecolonel。
CelesteHabert，whohadnowbecomethecommonenemy，couldonlyreckonSylvieonherside;nevertheless，everybodypresentshowedherthemorecivilityandamiableattentionbecauseeachwasunderminingher。
Herbrother，thoughnolongerabletobeonthesceneofaction，waswellawareofwhatwasgoingon，andassoonasheperceivedthathissister’shopeswerekilledhebecameanimplacableandterribleantagonisttotheRogrons。
EveryonewillimmediatelypicturetothemselvesMademoiselleHabertwhentheyknowthatifshehadnotkeptaninstitutionforyoungladiesshewouldstillhavehadtheairofaschool—mistress。School—
mistresseshaveawayoftheirowninputtingontheircaps。JustasoldEnglishwomenhaveacquiredamonopolyinturbans，school—
mistresseshaveamonopolyofthesecaps。Flowersnodabovetheframe—
work，flowersthataremorethanartificial;lyingbyinclosetsforyearsthecapisbothnewandold，evenonthedayitisfirstworn。
Thesespinstersmakeitapointofhonortoresemblethelayfiguresofapainter;theysitontheirhips，neverontheirchairs。Whenanyonespeakstothemtheyturntheirwholebustsinsteadofsimplyturningtheirheads;andwhentheirgownscreakoneistemptedtobelievethatthemechanismofthesebeingsisoutoforder。
MademoiselleHabert，anidealofherspecies，hadasterneye，agrimmouth，andbeneathherwrinkledchinthestringsofhercap，alwayslimpandfaded，floatedasshemoved。Twomoles，ratherlargeandbrown，adornedthatchin，andfromthemsproutedhairswhichsheallowedtogrowrampantlikeclematis。Andfinally，tocompleteherportrait，shetooksnuff，andtookitungracefully。
Thecompanywenttoworkattheirboston。MademoiselleHabertsatoppositetoSylvie，withthecolonelathersideoppositetoMadamedeChargeboeuf。BathildewasnearhermotherandRogron。SylvieplacedPierrettebetweenherselfandthecolonel;Rogronhadsetoutasecondcard—table，incaseothercompanyarrived。Twolampswereonthechimney—piecebetweenthecandelabraandtheclock，andthetableswerelightedbycandlesatfortysousapound，paidforbythepriceofthecards。
\"Come，Pierrette，takeyourwork，mydear，\"saidSylvie，withtreacheroussoftness，noticingthatthegirlwaswatchingthecolonel’sgame。
SheusuallyaffectedtotreatPierrettewellbeforecompany。ThisdeceptionirritatedthehonestBretongirl，andmadeherdespisehercousin。Shetookherembroidery，butasshedrewherstitchesshestillwatchedGouraud’splay。Gouraudbehavedasifhedidnotknowthegirlwasnearhim。Sylvienoticedthisapparentindifferenceandthoughtitextremelysuspicious。Presentlysheundertooka/grandemisere/inhearts，thepoolbeingfullofcounters，besidescontainingtwenty—sevensous。Therestofthecompanyhadnowarrived;amongthemthedeputy—judgeDesfondrilles，whoforthelasttwomonthshadabandonedtheTiphainepartyandconnectedhimselfmoreorlesswiththeVinets。Hewasstandingbeforethechimney—piece，withhisbacktothefireandthetailsofhiscoatoverhisarms，lookingroundthefinesalonofwhichMademoiselledeChargeboeufwastheshiningornament;foritreallyseemedasifalltheredsofitsdecorationhadbeenmadeexpresslytoenhanceherstyleofbeauty。Silencereigned;Pierrettewaswatchingthegame，Sylvie’sattentionwasdistractedfromherbytheinterestofthe/grandemisere/。
\"Playthat，\"saidPierrettetothecolonel，pointingtoaheartinhishand。
Thecolonelbeganasequenceinhearts;theheartsalllaybetweenhimselfandSylvie;thecolonelwonherace，thoughitwasprotectedbyfivesmallhearts。
\"That’snotfair！\"shecried。\"Pierrettesawmyhand，andthecoloneltookheradvice。\"
\"But，mademoiselle，\"saidCeleste，\"itwasthecolonel’sgametoplayheartsafteryoubeganthem。\"
ThescenemadeMonsieurDesfondrillessmile;hiswasakeenmind，whichfoundmuchamusementinwatchingtheplayofalltheself—
interestsinProvins。
\"Yes，itwascertainlythecolonel’sgame，\"saidCournantthenotary，notknowingwhatthequestionwas。
SylviethrewalookatMademoiselleHabert，——oneofthoseglanceswhichpassfromoldmaidtooldmaid，felineandcruel。
\"Pierrette，youdidseemyhand，\"saidSylviefixinghereyesonthegirl。
\"No，cousin。\"
\"Iwaslookingatyouall，\"saidthedeputy—judge，\"andIcanswearthatPierrettesawnoone’shandbutthecolonel’s。\"
\"Pooh！\"saidGouraud，alarmed，\"littlegirlsknowhowtoslidetheireyesintoeverything。\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedSylvie。
\"Yes，\"continuedGouraud。\"Idaresayshelookedintoyourhandtoplayyouatrick。Didn’tyou，littleone？\"
\"No，\"saidthetruthfulBreton，\"Iwouldn’tdosuchathing;ifIhad，itwouldhavebeeninmycousin’sinterests。\"
\"Youknowyouareastory—tellerandalittlefool，\"criedSylvie。
\"AfterwhathappenedthismorningdoyousupposeIcanbelieveawordyousay？Youarea——\"
PierrettedidnotwaitforSylvietofinishhersentence;foreseeingatorrentofinsults，sherushedawaywithoutalightandrantoherroom。Sylvieturnedwhitewithangerandmutteredbetweenherteeth，\"Sheshallpayforthis！\"
\"Shallyoupayforthe/misere/？\"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf。
AsshespokePierrettestruckherheadagainstthedoorofthepassagewhichsomeonehadleftopen。
\"Good！I’mgladofit，\"criedSylvie，astheyheardtheblow。
\"Shemustbehurt，\"saidDesfondrilles。
\"Shedeservesit，\"repliedSylvie。
\"Itwasabadblow，\"saidMademoiselleHabert。
Sylviethoughtshemightescapepayingher/misere/ifshewenttoseeafterPierrette，butMadamedeChargeboeufstoppedher。
\"Payusfirst，\"shesaid，laughing;\"youwillforgetitwhenyoucomeback。\"
Theremark，basedontheoldmaid’strickeryandherbadfaithinpayingherdebtsatcardswasapprovedbytheothers。SylviesatdownandthoughtnomoreofPierrette，——anindifferencewhichsurprisednoone。Whenthegamewasover，abouthalfpastnineo’clock，sheflungherselfintoaneasychairatthecornerofthefireplaceanddidnotevenriseasherguestsdeparted。Thecolonelwastorturingher;shedidnotknowwhattothinkofhim。
\"Menaresofalse！\"shecried，asshewenttobed。
Pierrettehadgivenherselfafrightfulblowonthehead，justabovetheear，atthespotwhereyounggirlsparttheirhairwhentheyputtheir\"fronthair\"incurlpapers。Thenextdaytherewasalargeswelling。
\"Godhaspunishedyou，\"saidSylvieatthebreakfasttable。\"Youdisobeyedme;youtreatedmewithdisrespectinleavingtheroombeforeIhadfinishedmysentence;yougotwhatyoudeserved。\"
\"Nevertheless，\"saidRogron，\"sheoughttoputonacompressofsaltandwater。\"
\"Oh，itisnothingatall，cousin，\"saidPierrette。
Thepoorchildhadreachedapointwhereevensucharemarkseemedtoheraproofofkindness。
VIII
THELOVESOFJACQUESANDPIERRETTE
Theweekendedasithadbegun，incontinualtorture。Sylviegrewingenious，andfoundrefinementsoftyrannywithalmostsavagecruelty;theredIndiansmighthavetakenalessonfromher。Pierrettedarednotcomplainofhervaguesufferings，noroftheactualpainsshenowfeltinherhead。Theoriginofhercousin’spresentangerwasthenon—revelationofBrigaut’sarrival。WithBretonobstinacyPierrettewasdeterminedtokeepsilence，——aresolutionthatisperfectlyexplicable。ItiseasytoseehowherthoughtsturnedtoBrigaut，fearingsomedangerforhimifhewerediscovered，yetinstinctivelylongingtohavehimnearher，andhappyinknowinghewasinProvins。Whatjoytohaveseenhim！Thatsingleglimpsewaslikethelookanexilecastsuponhiscountry，orthemartyrliftstoheaven，wherehiseyes，giftedwithsecond—sight，canenterwhileflamesconsumehisbody。
Pierrette’sglancehadbeensothoroughlyunderstoodbythemajor’ssonthat，asheplanedhisplanksortookhismeasuresorjoinedhiswood，hewasworkinghisbrainstofindoutsomewayofcommunicatingwithher。Heendedbychoosingthesimplestofallschemes。AtacertainhourofthenightPierrettemustloweraletterbyastringfromherwindow。Inthemidstofthegirl’sownsufferings，shetoowassustainedbythehopeofbeingabletocommunicatewithBrigaut。
Thesamedesirewasinbothhearts;parted，theyunderstoodeachother！Ateveryshocktoherheart，everythrobofpaininherhead，Pierrettesaidtoherself，\"Brigautishere！\"andthatthoughtenabledhertolivewithoutcomplaint。
Onemorninginthemarket，Brigaut，lyinginwait，wasabletogetnearher。Thoughhesawhertrembleandturnpale，likeanautumnleafabouttoflutterdown，hedidnotlosehishead，butquietlyboughtfruitofthemarket—womanwithwhomSylviewasbargaining。HefoundhischanceofslippinganotetoPierrette，allthewhilejokingthewomanwiththeeaseofamanaccustomedtosuchmanoeuvres;socoolwasheinaction，thoughthebloodhummedinhisearsandrushedboilingthroughhisveinsandarteries。Hehadthefirmnessofagalley—slavewithout，andtheshrinkingsofinnocencewithinhim，——
likecertainmothersintheirmomentsofmortaltrial，whenheldbetweentwodangers，twocatastrophes。
Pierrette’sinwardcommotionwaslikeBrigaut’s。Sheslippedthenoteintothepocketofherapron。Thehecticspotsuponhercheekbonesturnedtoacherry—scarlet。Thesetwochildrenwentthrough，allunknowntothemselves，manymoreemotionsthangotothemake—upofadozenordinaryloves。Thismomentinthemarket—placeleftintheirsoulsawell—springofpassionatefeeling。Sylvie，whodidnotrecognizetheBretonaccent，tooknonoticeofBrigaut，andPierrettewenthomesafelywithhertreasure。
Thelettersofthesetwopoorchildrenwerefatedtoserveasdocumentsinaterriblejudicialinquiry;otherwise，withoutthefatalcircumstancesthatoccasionedthatinquiry，theywouldneverhavebeenheardof。HereistheonewhichPierrettereadthatnightinherchamber：——
MydearPierrette，——Atmidnight，wheneverybodyisasleepbutme，whoamwatchingyou，Iwillcomeeverynightunderyourwindow。
Letdownastringlongenoughtoreachme;itwillnotmakeanynoise;youmustfastentotheendofitwhateveryouwritetome。
Iwilltiemyletterinthesameway。Ihear/they/havetaughtyoutoreadandwrite，——thosewickedrelationswhoweretodoyougood，andhavedoneyousomuchharm。You，Pierrette，thedaughterofacolonelwhodiedforFrance，reducedbythosemonsterstobetheirservant！Thatiswhereallyourprettycolorandhealthhavegone。MyPierrette，whathasbecomeofher？whathavetheydonewithher。Iseeplainlyyouarenotthesame，nothappy。Oh！
Pierrette，letusgobacktoBrittany。Icanearnenoughnowtogiveyouwhatyouneed;foryouyourselfcanearnthreefrancsadayandIcanearnfourorfive;andthirtysousisallIwanttoliveon。Ah！Pierrette，howIhaveprayedthegoodGodforyoueversinceIcamehere！Ihaveaskedhimtogivemeallyoursufferings，andyouallpleasures。Whydoyoustaywiththem？whydotheykeepyou？Yourgrandmotherismoretoyouthanthey。Theyarevipers;theyhavetakenyourgaietyawayfromyou。YoudonotevenwalkasyouoncedidinBrittany。Letusgoback。Iamheretoserveyou，todoyourwill;tellmewhatyouwish。IfyouneedmoneyIhaveahundredandfiftyfrancs;Icansendthemupbythestring，thoughIwouldliketokissyourdearhandsandlaythemoneyinthem。Ah，dearPierrette，itisalongtimenowthattheblueskyhasbeenovercastforme。Ihavenothadtwohours’
happinesssinceIputyouintothatdiligenceofevil。AndwhenI
sawyoutheothermorning，lookinglikeashadow，Icouldnotreachyou;thathagofacousincamebetweenus。ButatleastwecanhavetheconsolationofprayingtoGodtogethereverySundayinchurch;perhapshewillhearusallthemorewhenwepraytogether。
Notgood—by，mydear，Pierrette，but/to—night/。
ThislettersoaffectedPierrettethatshesatformorethananhourreadingandre—readingandgazingatit。Thensherememberedwithanguishthatshehadnothingtowritewith。Shesummonedcouragetomakethedifficultjourneyfromhergarrettothedining—room，wheresheobtainedpen，paper，andink，andreturnedsafelywithoutwakingherterriblecousin。Afewminutesbeforemidnightshehadfinishedthefollowingletter：——
MyFriend，——Oh！yes，myfriend;forthereisnoonebutyou，Jacques，andmygrandmothertoloveme。Godforgiveme，butyouaretheonlytwopersonswhomIlove，bothalike，neithermorenorless。Iwastoolittletoknowmydearmamma;butyou，Jacques，andmygrandmother，andmygrandfather，——Godgranthimheaven，forhesufferedmuchfromhisruin，whichwasmine，——butyoutwowhoareleft，Iloveyouboth，unhappyasIam。Indeed，toknowhowmuchIloveyou，youwillhavetoknowhowmuchIsuffer;butI
don’twishthat，itwouldgrieveyoutoomuch。/They/speaktomeaswewouldnotspeaktoadog;/they/treatmeliketheworstofgirls;andyetIdoexaminemyselfbeforeGod，andIcannotfindthatIdowrongbythem。BeforeyousangtomethemarriagesongI
sawthemercyofGodinmysufferings;forIhadprayedtohimtotakemefromtheworld，andIfeltsoillIsaidtomyself，\"Godhearsme！\"But，Jacques，nowyouarehere，IwanttoliveandgobacktoBrittany，tomygrandmammawholovesme，though/they/sayshestoleeightthousandfrancsofmine。Jacques，isthatso？Iftheyareminecouldyougetthem！Butitisnottrue，forifmygrandmotherhadeightthousandfrancsshewouldnotliveatSaint—
Jacques。
Idon’twanttotroubleherlastdays，mykind，goodgrandmamma，withtheknowledgeofmytroubles;shemightdieofit。Ah！ifsheknewtheymadehergrandchildscrubthepotsandpans，——shewhousedtosaytome，whenIwantedtohelpherafterhertroubles，\"Don’ttouchthat，mydarling;leaveit——leaveit——youwillspoilyourprettyfingers。\"Ah！myhandsarenevercleannow。SometimesIcanhardlycarrythebaskethomefrommarket，itcutsmyarm。
StillIdon’tthinkmycousinsmeantobecruel;butitistheirwayalwaystoscold，anditseemsthatIhavenorighttoleavethem。MycousinRogronismyguardian。OnedaywhenIwantedtorunawaybecauseIcouldnotbearit，andtoldthemso，mycousinSylviesaidthegendarmeswouldgoafterme，forthelawwasmymaster。Oh！Iknownowthatcousinscannottaketheplaceoffatherormother，anymorethanthesaintscantaketheplaceofGod。
MypoorJacques，whatdoyousupposeIcoulddowithyourmoney？
Keepitforourjourney。Oh！howIthinkofyouandPen—Hoel，andthebigpong，——that’swherewehadouronlyhappydays。Ishallhavenomore，forIfeelIamgoingfrombadtoworse。Iamveryill，Jacques。Ihavedreadfulpainsinmyhead，andinmybones，andback，whichkillme，andIhavenoappetiteexceptforhorridthings，——rootsandleavesandsuchthings。SometimesIcry，whenI
amallalone，fortheywon’tletmedoanythingIlikeiftheyknowit，notevencry。IhavetohidetooffermytearstoHimtowhomweowethemercieswhichwecallafflictions。ItmusthavebeenHewhogaveyoutheblessedthoughttocomeandsingthemarriagesongbeneathmywindow。Ah！Jacques，mycousinheardyou，andshesaidIhadalover。Ifyouwishtobemylover，lovemewell。Ipromisetoloveyoualways，asIdidinthepast，andtobeYourfaithfulservant，PierretteLorrain。
Youwilllovemealways，won’tyou？
Shehadbroughtacrustofbreadfromthekitchen，inwhichshenowmadeaholefortheletter，andfasteneditlikeaweighttoherstring。Atmidnight，havingopenedherwindowwithextremecaution，sheloweredtheletterwiththecrust，whichmadenonoiseagainsteitherthewallofthehouseortheblinds。PresentlyshefeltthestringpulledbyBrigaut，whobrokeitandthencreptsoftlyaway。
Whenhereachedthemiddleofthesquareshecouldseehimindistinctlybythestarlight;buthesawherquiteclearlyinthezoneoflightthrownbythecandle。Thetwochildrenstoodthusforoveranhour，Pierrettemakinghimsignstogo，hestarting，sheremaining，hecomingbacktohispost，andPierretteagainsigningthathemustleaveher。Thiswasrepeatedtillthechildclosedherwindow，wenttobed，andblewoutthecandle。Onceinbedshefellasleep，happyinheartthoughsufferinginbody，——shehadBrigaut’sletterunderherpillow。Shesleptasthepersecutedsleep，——aslumberbrightwithangels;thatslumberfullofheavenlyarabesques，inatmospheresofgoldandlapis—lazuli，perceivedandgiventousbyRaffaelle。
ThemoralnaturehadsuchempireoverthatfrailphysicalnaturethatonthemorrowPierretteroselightandjoyousasalark，asradiantandasgay。SuchachangecouldnotescapethevigilanteyeofhercousinSylvie，who，thistime，insteadofscoldingher，setaboutwatchingherwiththescrutinyofamagpie。\"Whatreasonisthereforsuchhappiness？\"wasathoughtofjealousy，notoftyranny。IfthecolonelhadnotbeeninSylvie’smindshewouldhavesaidtoPierretteasformerly，\"Pierrette，youareverynoise，andveryregardlessofwhatyouhaveoftenbeentold。\"Butnowtheoldmaidresolvedtospyuponherasonlyoldmaidscanspy。Thedaywasstillandgloomy，liketheweatherthatprecedesastorm。
\"Youdon’tappeartobeillnow，mademoiselle，\"saidSylvieatdinner。
\"Didn’tItellyousheputitallontoannoyus？\"shecried，addressingherbrother，andnotwaitingforPierrette’sanswer。
\"Onthecontrary，cousin，Ihaveasortoffever——\"
\"Fever！whatfever？Youareasgayasalark。Perhapsyouhaveseensomeoneagain？\"
Pierrettetrembledanddroppedhereyesonherplate。
\"Tartufe！\"criedSylvie;\"andonlyfourteenyearsold！whatanature！
Doyoumeantocometoabadend？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，\"saidPierrette，raisinghersweetandluminousbrowneyestohercousin。
\"Thisevening，\"saidSylvie，\"youaretostayinthedining—roomwithacandle，anddoyoursewing。Youarenotwantedinthesalon;I
sha’n’thaveyoulookingintomyhandtohelpyourfavorites。\"
Pierrettemadenosign。
\"Artfulcreature！\"criedSylvie，leavingtheroom。
Rogron，whodidnotunderstandhissister’sanger，saidtoPierrette：
\"Whatisallthisabout？Trytopleaseyourcousin，Pierrette;sheisveryindulgenttoyou，verygentle，andifyouputheroutoftemperthefaultiscertainlyyours。Whydoyousquabbleso？FormypartI
liketoliveinpeace。LookatMademoiselleBathildeandtakepatternbyher。\"
Pierrettefeltabletobeareverything。Brigautwouldcomeatmidnightandbringherananswer，andthathopewastheviaticumofherday。
Butshewasusingupherlaststrength。Shedidnotgotobed，andstoodwaitingforthehourtostrike。Atlastmidnightsounded;softlysheopenedthewindow;thistimesheusedastringmadebytyingbitsoftwinetogether。SheheardBrigaut’sstep，andondrawingupthecordshefoundthefollowingletter，whichfilledherwithjoy：——
MydearPierrette，——Asyouaresoillyoumustnottireyourselfbywaitingforme。YouwillhearmeifIcrylikeanowl。Happilymyfathertaughtmetoimitatetheirnote。SowhenyouhearthecrythreetimesyouwillknowIamthere，andthenyoumustletdownthecord。ButIshallnotcomeagainforsomedays。Ihopethentobringyougoodnews。
Oh！Pierrette，don’ttalkofdying！Pierrette，don’tthinksuchthings！Allmyheartshook，IfeltasthoughIweredeadmyselfatthemereidea。No，myPierrette，youmustnotdie;youwilllivehappy，andsoonyoushallbedeliveredfromyourpersecutors。IfI
donotsucceedinwhatIamundertakingforyourrescue，Ishallappealtothelaw，andIshallspeakoutbeforeheavenandearthandtellhowyourwickedrelationsaretreatingyou。Iamcertainthatyouhavenotmanymoredaystosuffer;havepatience，myPierrette！JacquesiswatchingoveryouasintheolddayswhenweslidonthepondandIpulledyououtoftheholeinwhichwewerenearlydrownedtogether。
Adieu，mydearPierrette;inafewdays，ifGodwills，weshallbehappy。Alas，Idarenottellyoutheonlythingthatmayhinderourmeeting。ButGodlovesus！InafewdaysIshallseemydearPierretteatliberty，withouttroubles，withoutanyonetohindermylookingatyou——for，ah！Pierrette，Ihungertoseeyou——
Pierrette，Pierrette，whodeignstolovemeandtotellmeso。
Yes，Pierrette，IwillbeyourloverwhenIhaveearnedthefortuneyoudeserve;tillthenIwillbetoyouonlyadevotedservantwhoselifeisyourstodowhatyoupleasewithit。Adieu。
JacquesBrigaut。
Hereisaletterofwhichthemajor’ssonsaidnothingtoPierrette。
HewroteittoMadameLorrainatNantes：——
MadameLorrain，——Yourgranddaughterwilldie，worn—outwithill—
treatment，ifyoudonotcometofetchher。Icouldscarcelyrecognizeher;andtoshowyouthestateofthingsIenclosealetterIhavereceivedfromPierrette。Youarethoughtheretohavetakenthemoneyofyourgranddaughter，andyououghttojustifyyourself。Ifyoucan，comeatonce。Wemaystillbehappy;
butifdelayPierrettewillbedead。
Iam，withrespect，yourdevotedservant，JacquesBrigaut。
AtMonsieurFrappier’s，Cabinet—maker，Grand’Rue，Provins。
Brigaut’sfearwasthatthegrandmotherwasdead。
ThoughthisletteroftheyouthwhominherinnocenceshecalledherloverwasalmostenigmaticaltoPierrette，shebelievedinitwithallhervirginfaith。Herheartwasfilledwiththatsensationwhichtravellersinthedesertfeelwhentheyseefromafarthepalm—treesroundawell。Inafewdayshermiserywouldend——Jacquessaidso。Shereliedonthispromiseofherchildhood’sfriend;andyet，asshelaidtheletterbesidetheother，adreadfulthoughtcametoherinforebodingwords。
\"PoorJacques，\"shesaidtoherself，\"hedoesnotknowtheholeintowhichIhavenowfallen！\"
SylviehadheardPierrette，andshehadalsoheardBrigautunderherwindow。Shejumpedoutofbedandrushedtothewindowtolookthroughtheblindsintothesquareandthereshesaw，inthemoonlight，amanhurryinginthedirectionofthecolonel’shouse，infrontofwhichBrigauthappenedtostop。Theoldmaidgentlyopenedherdoor，wentupstairs，wasamazedtofindalightinPierrette’sroom，lookedthroughthekeyhole，andcouldseenothing。
\"Pierrette，\"shesaid，\"areyouill？\"
\"No，cousin，\"saidPierrette，surprised。
\"Whyisyourcandleburningatthistimeofnight？Openthedoor;I
mustknowwhatthismeans。\"
Pierrettewenttothedoorbare—footed，andassoonasSylvieenteredtheroomshesawthecord，whichPierrettehadforgottentoputaway，notdreamingofasurprise。Sylviejumpeduponit。
\"Whatisthatfor？\"sheasked。
\"Nothing，cousin。\"
\"Nothing！\"shecried。\"Alwayslying;you’llnevergettoheaventhatway。Gotobed;you’lltakecold。\"
Sheaskednomorequestionsandwentaway，leavingPierretteterrifiedbyherunusualclemency。Insteadofexplodingwithrage，SylviehadsuddenlydeterminedtosurprisePierretteandthecoloneltogether，toseizetheirlettersandconfoundthetwoloverswhoweredeceivingher。Pierrette，inspiredbyasenseofdanger，sewedthelettersintohercorsetandcoveredthemwithcalico。
HereendthelovesofPierretteandBrigaut。
PierretterejoicedinthethoughtthatJacqueshaddeterminedtoholdnocommunicationwithherforsomedays，becausehercousin’ssuspicionswouldbequietedbyfindingnothingtofeedthem。Sylviedidinfactspendthenextthreenightsonherlegs，andeacheveninginwatchingtheinnocentcolonel，withoutdiscoveringeitherinhimorinPierrette，orinthehouseoroutofit，anythingthatbetrayedtheirunderstanding。ShesentPierrettetoconfession，andseizedthatmomenttosearchthechild’sroom，withthemethodandpenetrationofaspyoracustom—houseofficer。Shefoundnothing。Herfuryreachedtheapogeeofhumansentiments。IfPierrettehadbeenthereshewouldcertainlyhavestruckherremorselessly。Toawomanofhertemper，jealousywaslessasentimentthananoccupation;sheexistedinit，itmadeherheartbeat，shefeltemotionshithertocompletelyunknowntoher;theslightestsoundormovementkeptheronthequivive;shewatchedPierrettewithgloomyintentness。
\"Thatmiserablelittlewretchwillkillme，\"shesaid。
Sylvie’sseveritytohercousinreachedthepointofrefinedcruelty，andmadethedeplorableconditionofthepoorgirlworsedaily。Shehadfeverregularly，andthepainsinherheadbecameintolerable。Bytheendoftheweekeventhevisitorsatthehousenoticedhersufferingface，whichwouldhavetouchedtopityallselfishnesslesscruelthantheirs。IthappenedthatDoctorNeraud，possiblybyVinet’sadvice，didnotcometothehouseduringthatweek。Thecolonel，knowinghimselfsuspectedbySylvie，wasafraidtoriskhismarriagebyshowinganysolicitudeforPierrette。Bathildeexplainedthevisiblechangeinthegirlbyhernaturalgrowth。Butatlast，oneSundayevening，whenPierrettewasinthesalon，hersufferingsovercameherandshefaintedaway。Thecolonel，whofirstsawhergoing，caughtherinhisarmsandcarriedhertoasofa。
\"Shediditonpurpose，\"saidSylvie，lookingatMademoiselleHabertandtherestwhowereplayingbostonwithher。
\"Iassureyouthatyourcousinisveryill，\"saidthecolonel。
\"Sheseemedwellenoughinyourarms，\"Sylviesaidtohiminalowvoice，withasavagesmile。
\"Thecolonelisright，\"saidMadamedeChargeboeuf。\"Yououghttosendforadoctor。Thismorningatchurcheveryonewasspeaking，astheycameout，ofMademoiselleLorrain’sappearance。\"
\"Iamdying，\"saidPierrette。
DesfondrillescalledtoSylvieandtoldhertounfastenhercousin’sgown。Sylviewentuptothegirl，saying，\"Itisonlyatantrum。\"
Sheunfastenedthegownandwasabouttotouchthecorset，whenPierrette，rousedbythedanger，satupwithsuperhumanstrength，exclaiming，\"No，no，Iwillgotobed。\"
Sylviehad，however，touchedthecorsetandfeltthepapers。SheletPierrettego，sayingtothecompany：
\"Whatdoyouthinknowofherillness？Itellyouitisallapretence。Youhavenoideaoftheperversityofthatchild。\"
Afterthecard—playingwasovershekeptVinetfromfollowingtheotherguests;shewasfuriousandwantedvengeance，andwasgrosslyrudetothecolonelwhenhebadehergood—night。Gouraudthrewalookatthelawyerwhichthreatenedhimtothedepthsofhisbeingandseemedtoputaballinhisentrails。SylvietoldVinettoremain。
Whentheywerealone，shesaid，——
\"Neverinmylife，neverinmyborndays，willImarrythecolonel。\"
\"NowthatyouhavecometothatdecisionImayspeak，\"saidthelawyer。\"Thecolonelismyfriend，butIammoreyoursthanhis。
RogronhasdonemeserviceswhichIcanneverforget。IamasstrongafriendasIamanenemy。OnceintheChamberIshallrisetopower，andIwillmakeyourbrotherareceiver—general。Nowsweartome，beforeIsaymore，thatyouwillneverrepeatwhatItellyou。\"
（Sylviemadeanaffirmativesign。）\"Inthefirstplace，thebravecolonelisagambler——\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedSylvie。
\"Ifithadnotbeenfortheembarrassmentsthisvicehasbroughtuponhim，hemighthavebeenamarshalofFrance，\"continuedVinet。\"Heiscapableofrunningthroughyourproperty;butheisveryastute;youcannotbesureofnothavingchildren，andyoutoldmeyourselftherisksyoufeared。No，ifyouwanttomarry，waittillIamintheChamberandthentakethatoldDesfondrilles，whoshallbemadechiefjustice。IfyouwantrevengeonthecolonelmakeyourbrothermarryMademoiselledeChargeboeuf，——Icangetherconsent;shehastwothousandfrancsayear，andyouwillbeconnectedwiththedeChargeboeufsasIam。RecollectwhatItellyou，theChargeboeufswillbegladtoclaimusforcousinssomeday。\"
\"GouraudlovesPierrette，\"wasSylvie’sonlyanswer。
\"Heisquitecapableofit，\"saidVinet，\"andcapableofmarryingherafteryourdeath。\"
\"Afinecalculation！\"shesaid。
\"Itellyouthatmanhastheshrewdnessofthedevil。Marryyourbrotherandannouncethatyoumeantoremainunmarriedandwillleaveyourpropertytoyournephewsandnieces。ThatwillstrikeablowatGouraudandPierretteboth！andyou’llseethefacesthey’llmake。\"
\"Ah！that’strue，\"criedtheoldmaid，\"Icanservethembothright。
