CHAPTERVII
　　RULE:RECEIVENOONEEXCEPTINTHEEVENING
　　SuchwasM。Luc—EspritGillenormand，whohadnotlosthishair，——
　　whichwasgrayratherthanwhite，——andwhichwasalwaysdressedin"dog’sears。"Tosumup，hewasvenerableinspiteofallthis。
　　Hehadsomethingoftheeighteenthcenturyabouthim；frivolousandgreat。
　　In1814andduringtheearlyyearsoftheRestoration，M。Gillenormand，whowasstillyoung，——hewasonlyseventy—four，——livedintheFaubourgSaintGermain，RueServandoni，nearSaint—Sulpice。
　　HehadonlyretiredtotheMaraiswhenhequittedsociety，longafterattainingtheageofeighty。
　　And，onabandoningsociety，hehadimmuredhimselfinhishabits。
　　Theprincipalone，andthatwhichwasinvariable，wastokeephisdoorabsolutelyclosedduringtheday，andnevertoreceiveanyonewhateverexceptintheevening。Hedinedatfiveo’clock，andafterthathisdoorwasopen。Thathadbeenthefashionofhiscentury，andhewouldnotswervefromit。"Thedayisvulgar，"saidhe，"anddeservesonlyaclosedshutter。Fashionablepeopleonlylightuptheirmindswhenthezenithlightsupitsstars。"Andhebarricadedhimselfagainsteveryone，evenhaditbeenthekinghimself。
　　Thiswastheantiquatedeleganceofhisday。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　TWODONOTMAKEAPAIR
　　WehavejustspokenofM。Gillenormand’stwodaughters。Theyhadcomeintotheworldtenyearsapart。Intheiryouththeyhadborneverylittleresemblancetoeachother，eitherincharacterorcountenance，andhadalsobeenaslittlelikesisterstoeachotheraspossible。Theyoungesthadacharmingsoul，whichturnedtowardsallthatbelongstothelight，wasoccupiedwithflowers，withverses，withmusic，whichflutteredawayintogloriousspace，enthusiastic，ethereal，andwasweddedfromherveryyouth，inideal，toavagueandheroicfigure。Theelderhadalsoherchimera；
　　sheespiedintheazuresomeverywealthypurveyor，acontractor，asplendidlystupidhusband，amillionmademan，orevenaprefect；
　　thereceptionsofthePrefecture，anusherintheantechamberwithachainonhisneck，officialballs，theharanguesofthetown—hall，tobe"MadamelaPrefete，"——allthishadcreatedawhirlwindinherimagination。Thusthetwosistersstrayed，eachinherowndream，attheepochwhentheywereyounggirls。
　　Bothhadwings，theonelikeanangel，theotherlikeagoose。
　　Noambitioniseverfullyrealized，herebelowatleast。
　　Noparadisebecomesterrestrialinourday。Theyoungerweddedthemanofherdreams，butshedied。Theelderdidnotmarryatall。
　　Atthemomentwhenshemakesherentranceintothishistorywhichwearerelating，shewasanantiquevirtue，anincombustibleprude，withoneofthesharpestnoses，andoneofthemostobtusemindsthatitispossibletosee。Acharacteristicdetail；outsideofherimmediatefamily，noonehadeverknownherfirstname。
　　ShewascalledMademoiselleGillenormand，theelder。
　　Inthematterofcant，MademoiselleGillenormandcouldhavegivenpointstoamiss。Hermodestywascarriedtotheotherextremeofblackness。Shecherishedafrightfulmemoryofherlife；oneday，amanhadbeheldhergarter。
　　Agehadonlyservedtoaccentuatethispitilessmodesty。Herguimpewasneversufficientlyopaque，andneverascendedsufficientlyhigh。
　　Shemultipliedclaspsandpinswherenoonewouldhavedreamedoflooking。Thepeculiarityofpruderyistoplaceallthemoresentinelsinproportionasthefortressisthelessmenaced。
　　Nevertheless，lethimwhocanexplaintheseantiquemysteriesofinnocence，sheallowedanofficeroftheLancers，hergrandnephew，namedTheodule，toembraceherwithoutdispleasure。
　　InspiteofthisfavoredLancer，thelabel:Prude，underwhichwehaveclassedher，suitedhertoabsoluteperfection。MademoiselleGillenormandwasasortoftwilightsoul。Pruderyisademi—virtueandademi—vice。
　　Topruderysheaddedbigotry，awell—assortedlining。ShebelongedtothesocietyoftheVirgin，woreawhiteveiloncertainfestivals，mumbledspecialorisons，revered"theholyblood，"venerated"thesacredheart，"remainedforhoursincontemplationbeforearococo—jesuitaltarinachapelwhichwasinaccessibletotherankandfileofthefaithful，andthereallowedhersoultosoaramonglittlecloudsofmarble，andthroughgreatraysofgildedwood。
　　Shehadachapelfriend，anancientvirginlikeherself，namedMademoiselleVaubois，whowasapositiveblockhead，andbesidewhomMademoiselleGillenormandhadthepleasureofbeinganeagle。BeyondtheAgnusDeiandAveMaria，MademoiselleVauboishadnoknowledgeofanythingexceptofthedifferentwaysofmakingpreserves。MademoiselleVaubois，perfectinherstyle，wastheermineofstupiditywithoutasinglespotofintelligence。
　　Letussayitplainly，MademoiselleGillenormandhadgainedratherthanlostasshegrewolder。Thisisthecasewithpassivenatures。
　　Shehadneverbeenmalicious，whichisrelativekindness；andthen，yearswearawaytheangles，andthesofteningwhichcomeswithtimehadcometoher。Shewasmelancholywithanobscuresadnessofwhichshedidnotherselfknowthesecret。Therebreathedfromherwholepersonthestuporofalifethatwasfinished，andwhichhadneverhadabeginning。
　　Shekepthouseforherfather。M。Gillenormandhadhisdaughternearhim，aswehaveseenthatMonseigneurBienvenuhadhissisterwithhim。Thesehouseholdscomprisedofanoldmanandanoldspinsterarenotrare，andalwayshavethetouchingaspectoftwoweaknessesleaningoneachotherforsupport。
　　Therewasalsointhishouse，betweenthiselderlyspinsterandthisoldman，achild，alittleboy，whowasalwaystremblingandmuteinthepresenceofM。Gillenormand。M。Gillenormandneveraddressedthischildexceptinaseverevoice，andsometimes，withupliftedcane:"Here，sir！rascal，scoundrel，comehere！——
　　Answerme，youscamp！Justletmeseeyou，yougood—for—nothing！"
　　etc。，etc。Heidolizedhim。
　　Thiswashisgrandson。Weshallmeetwiththischildagainlateron。
　　BOOKTHIRD。——THEGRANDFATHERANDTHEGRANDSON
　　CHAPTERI
　　ANANCIENTSALON
　　WhenM。GillenormandlivedintheRueServandoni，hehadfrequentedmanyverygoodandveryaristocraticsalons。Althoughabourgeois，M。Gillenormandwasreceivedinsociety。Ashehadadoublemeasureofwit，inthefirstplace，thatwhichwasbornwithhim，andsecondly，thatwhichwasattributedtohim，hewasevensoughtoutandmademuchof。Heneverwentanywhereexceptonconditionofbeingthechiefpersonthere。Therearepeoplewhowillhaveinfluenceatanyprice，andwhowillhaveotherpeoplebusythemselvesoverthem；whentheycannotbeoracles，theyturnwags。
　　M。Gillenormandwasnotofthisnature；hisdominationintheRoyalistsalonswhichhefrequentedcosthisself—respectnothing。
　　Hewasanoracleeverywhere。IthadhappenedtohimtoholdhisownagainstM。deBonald，andevenagainstM。Bengy—Puy—Vallee。
　　About1817，heinvariablypassedtwoafternoonsaweekinahouseinhisownneighborhood，intheRueFerou，withMadamelaBaronnedeT。，aworthyandrespectableperson，whosehusbandhadbeenAmbassadorofFrancetoBerlinunderLouisXVI。BarondeT。，who，duringhislifetime，hadgoneverypassionatelyintoecstasiesandmagneticvisions，haddiedbankrupt，duringtheemigration，leaving，ashisentirefortune，someverycuriousMemoirsaboutMesmerandhistub，intenmanuscriptvolumes，boundinredmoroccoandgildedontheedges。
　　MadamedeT。hadnotpublishedthememoirs，outofpride，andmaintainedherselfonameagreincomewhichhadsurvivednooneknewhow。
　　MadamedeT。livedfarfromtheCourt；"averymixedsociety，"
　　asshesaid，inanobleisolation，proudandpoor。Afewfriendsassembledtwiceaweekaboutherwidowedhearth，andtheseconstitutedapurelyRoyalistsalon。Theysippedteathere，andutteredgroansorcriesofhorroratthecentury，thecharter，theBonapartists，theprostitutionoftheblueribbon，ortheJacobinismofLouisXVIII。，accordingasthewindveeredtowardselegyordithyrambs；
　　andtheyspokeinlowtonesofthehopeswhichwerepresentedbyMonsieur，afterwardsCharlesX。
　　Thesongsofthefishwomen，inwhichNapoleonwascalledNicolas，werereceivedtherewithtransportsofjoy。Duchesses，themostdelicateandcharmingwomenintheworld，wentintoecstasiesovercoupletslikethefollowing，addressedto"thefederates":——
　　Refoncezdansvosculottes[20]
　　Leboutd’chemis’quivouspend。
　　Qu’onn’dis’pasqu’lespatriotesOntarborel’drapeaublanc？
　　[20]Tuckintoyourtrouserstheshirt—tailthatishangingout。
　　Letitnotbesaidthatpatriotshavehoistedthewhiteflag。
　　Theretheyamusedthemselveswithpunswhichwereconsideredterrible，withinnocentplaysuponwordswhichtheysupposedtobevenomous，withquatrains，withdisticheseven；thus，upontheDessollesministry，amoderatecabinet，ofwhichMM。DecazesandDeserreweremembers:——
　　Pourraffermirletroneebranlesursabase，[21]
　　Ilfautchangerdesol，etdeserreetdecase。
　　[21]Inordertore—establishtheshakenthronefirmlyonitsbase，soil（Dessolles），greenhouseandhouse（Decazes）mustbechanged。
　　Ortheydrewupalistofthechamberofpeers，"anabominablyJacobinchamber，"andfromthislisttheycombinedalliancesofnames，insuchamannerastoform，forexample，phraseslikethefollowing:
　　Damas。Sabran。Gouvion—Saint—Cyr。——Allthiswasdonemerrily。
　　Inthatsociety，theyparodiedtheRevolution。TheyusedIknownotwhatdesirestogivepointtothesamewrathininversesense。
　　TheysangtheirlittleCaira:——
　　Ah！cairacairacaira！
　　LesBonapartistesalalanterne！
　　Songsareliketheguillotine；theychopawayindifferently，to—daythishead，to—morrowthat。Itisonlyavariation。
　　IntheFualdesaffair，whichbelongstothisepoch，1816，theytookpartforBastideandJausion，becauseFualdeswas"aBuonapartist。"
　　Theydesignatedtheliberalsasfriendsandbrothers；thisconstitutedthemostdeadlyinsult。
　　Likecertainchurchtowers，MadamedeT。’ssalonhadtwococks。
　　OneofthemwasM。Gillenormand，theotherwasComtedeLamothe—Valois，ofwhomitwaswhisperedabout，withasortofrespect:"Doyouknow？
　　ThatistheLamotheoftheaffairofthenecklace。"Thesesingularamnestiesdooccurinparties。
　　Letusaddthefollowing:inthebourgeoisie，honoredsituationsdecaythroughtooeasyrelations；onemustbewarewhomoneadmits；
　　inthesamewaythatthereisalossofcaloricinthevicinityofthosewhoarecold，thereisadiminutionofconsiderationintheapproachofdespisedpersons。Theancientsocietyoftheupperclassesheldthemselvesabovethislaw，asaboveeveryother。Marigny，thebrotherofthePompadour，hadhisentrywithM。lePrincedeSoubise。
　　Inspiteof？No，because。DuBarry，thegod—fatheroftheVaubernier，wasverywelcomeatthehouseofM。leMarechaldeRichelieu。
　　ThissocietyisOlympus。MercuryandthePrincedeGuemeneeareathomethere。Athiefisadmittedthere，providedhebeagod。
　　TheComtedeLamothe，who，in1815，wasanoldmanseventy—fiveyearsofage，hadnothingremarkableabouthimexcepthissilentandsententiousair，hiscoldandangularface，hisperfectlypolishedmanners，hiscoatbuttoneduptohiscravat，andhislonglegsalwayscrossedinlong，flabbytrousersofthehueofburntsienna。
　　Hisfacewasthesamecolorashistrousers。
　　ThisM。deLamothewas"heldinconsideration"inthissalononaccountofhis"celebrity"and，strangetosay，thoughtrue，becauseofhisnameofValois。
　　AsforM。Gillenormand，hisconsiderationwasofabsolutelyfirst—ratequality。Hehad，inspiteofhislevity，andwithoutitsinterferinginanywaywithhisdignity，acertainmannerabouthimwhichwasimposing，dignified，honest，andlofty，inabourgeoisfashion；
　　andhisgreatageaddedtoit。Oneisnotacenturywithimpunity。
　　Theyearsfinallyproducearoundaheadavenerabledishevelment。
　　Inadditiontothis，hesaidthingswhichhadthegenuinesparkleoftheoldrock。Thus，whentheKingofPrussia，afterhavingrestoredLouisXVIII。，cametopaythelatteravisitunderthenameoftheCountdeRuppin，hewasreceivedbythedescendantofLouisXIV。
　　somewhatasthoughhehadbeentheMarquisdeBrandebourg，andwiththemostdelicateimpertinence。M。Gillenormandapproved:"AllkingswhoarenottheKingofFrance，"saidhe，"areprovincialkings。"
　　Oneday，thefollowingquestionwasputandthefollowinganswerreturnedinhispresence:"TowhatwastheeditoroftheCourrierFrancaiscondemned？""Tobesuspended。""Susissuperfluous，"
　　observedM。Gillenormand。[22]Remarksofthisnaturefoundasituation。
　　[22]Suspendu，suspended；pendu，hung。
　　AttheTeDeumontheanniversaryofthereturnoftheBourbons，hesaid，onseeingM。deTalleyrandpassby:"TheregoeshisExcellencytheEvilOne。"
　　M。Gillenormandwasalwaysaccompaniedbyhisdaughter，thattallmademoiselle，whowasoverfortyandlookedfifty，andbyahandsomelittleboyofsevenyears，white，rosy，fresh，withhappyandtrustingeyes，whoneverappearedinthatsalonwithouthearingvoicesmurmuraroundhim:"Howhandsomeheis！
　　Whatapity！Poorchild！"Thischildwastheoneofwhomwedroppedawordawhileago。Hewascalled"poorchild，"
　　becausehehadforafather"abrigandoftheLoire。"
　　ThisbrigandoftheLoirewasM。Gillenormand’sson—in—law，whohasalreadybeenmentioned，andwhomM。Gillenormandcalled"thedisgraceofhisfamily。"
　　CHAPTERII
　　ONEOFTHEREDSPECTRESOFTHATEPOCH
　　AnyonewhohadchancedtopassthroughthelittletownofVernonatthisepoch，andwhohadhappenedtowalkacrossthatfinemonumentalbridge，whichwillsoonbesucceeded，letushope，bysomehideousironcablebridge，mighthaveobserved，hadhedroppedhiseyesovertheparapet，amanaboutfiftyyearsofagewearingaleathercap，andtrousersandawaistcoatofcoarsegraycloth，towhichsomethingyellowwhichhadbeenaredribbon，wassewn，shodwithwoodensabots，tannedbythesun，hisfacenearlyblackandhishairnearlywhite，alargescaronhisforeheadwhichrandownuponhischeek，bowed，bent，prematurelyaged，whowalkednearlyeveryday，hoeandsickleinhand，inoneofthosecompartmentssurroundedbywallswhichabutonthebridge，andbordertheleftbankoftheSeinelikeachainofterraces，charmingenclosuresfullofflowersofwhichonecouldsay，weretheymuchlarger:"thesearegardens，"andweretheyalittlesmaller:
　　"thesearebouquets。"Alltheseenclosuresabutupontheriveratoneend，andonahouseattheother。Themaninthewaistcoatandthewoodenshoesofwhomwehavejustspoken，inhabitedthesmallestoftheseenclosuresandthemosthumbleofthesehousesabout1817。Helivedtherealoneandsolitary，silentlyandpoorly，withawomanwhowasneitheryoungnorold，neitherhomelynorpretty，neitherapeasantnorabourgeoise，whoservedhim。
　　Theplotofearthwhichhecalledhisgardenwascelebratedinthetownforthebeautyoftheflowerswhichhecultivatedthere。
　　Theseflowerswerehisoccupation。
　　Bydintoflabor，ofperseverance，ofattention，andofbucketsofwater，hehadsucceededincreatingaftertheCreator，andhehadinventedcertaintulipsandcertaindahliaswhichseemedtohavebeenforgottenbynature。Hewasingenious；hehadforestalledSoulangeBodinintheformationoflittleclumpsofearthofheathmould，forthecultivationofrareandpreciousshrubsfromAmericaandChina。Hewasinhisalleysfromthebreakofday，insummer，planting，cutting，hoeing，watering，walkingamidhisflowerswithanairofkindness，sadness，andsweetness，sometimesstandingmotionlessandthoughtfulforhours，listeningtothesongofabirdinthetrees，thebabbleofachildinahouse，orwithhiseyesfixedonadropofdewatthetipofaspearofgrass，ofwhichthesunmadeacarbuncle。Histablewasveryplain，andhedrankmoremilkthanwine。Achildcouldmakehimgiveway，andhisservantscoldedhim。Hewassotimidthatbeseemedshy，herarelywentout，andhesawnoonebutthepoorpeoplewhotappedathispaneandhiscure，theAbbeMabeuf，agoodoldman。
　　Nevertheless，iftheinhabitantsofthetown，orstrangers，oranychancecomers，curioustoseehistulips，rangathislittlecottage，heopenedhisdoorwithasmile。Hewasthe"brigandoftheLoire。"
　　Anyonewhohad，atthesametime，readmilitarymemoirs，biographies，theMoniteur，andthebulletinsofthegrandarmy，wouldhavebeenstruckbyanamewhichoccurstherewithtolerablefrequency，thenameofGeorgesPontmercy。Whenveryyoung，thisGeorgesPontmercyhadbeenasoldierinSaintonge’sregiment。Therevolutionbrokeout。
　　Saintonge’sregimentformedapartofthearmyoftheRhine；
　　fortheoldregimentsofthemonarchypreservedtheirnamesofprovincesevenafterthefallofthemonarchy，andwereonlydividedintobrigadesin1794。PontmercyfoughtatSpire，atWorms，atNeustadt，atTurkheim，atAlzey，atMayence，wherehewasoneofthetwohundredwhoformedHouchard’srearguard。ItwasthetwelfthtoholditsgroundagainstthecorpsofthePrinceofHesse，behindtheoldrampartofAndernach，andonlyrejoinedthemainbodyofthearmywhentheenemy’scannonhadopenedabreachfromthecordoftheparapettothefootoftheglacis。HewasunderKleberatMarchiennesandatthebattleofMont—Palissel，whereaballfromabiscaienbrokehisarm。ThenhepassedtothefrontierofItaly，andwasoneofthethirtygrenadierswhodefendedtheColdeTendewithJoubert。Joubertwasappointeditsadjutant—general，andPontmercysub—lieutenant。PontmercywasbyBerthier’ssideinthemidstofthegrape—shotofthatdayatLodiwhichcausedBonapartetosay:"Berthierhasbeencannoneer，cavalier，andgrenadier。"
　　Hebeheldhisoldgeneral，Joubert，fallatNovi，atthemomentwhen，withupliftedsabre，hewasshouting:"Forward！"Havingbeenembarkedwithhiscompanyintheexigenciesofthecampaign，onboardapinnacewhichwasproceedingfromGenoatosomeobscureportonthecoast，hefellintoawasps’—nestofsevenoreightEnglishvessels。
　　TheGenoesecommanderwantedtothrowhiscannonintothesea，tohidethesoldiersbetweendecks，andtoslipalonginthedarkasamerchantvessel。Pontmercyhadthecolorshoistedtothepeak，andsailedproudlypastunderthegunsoftheBritishfrigates。
　　Twentyleaguesfurtheron，hisaudacityhavingincreased，heattackedwithhispinnace，andcapturedalargeEnglishtransportwhichwascarryingtroopstoSicily，andwhichwassoloadeddownwithmenandhorsesthatthevesselwassunktothelevelofthesea。
　　In1805hewasinthatMalherdivisionwhichtookGunzbergfromtheArchdukeFerdinand。AtWeltingenhereceivedintohisarms，beneathastormofbullets，ColonelMaupetit，mortallywoundedattheheadofthe9thDragoons。HedistinguishedhimselfatAusterlitzinthatadmirablemarchinechelonseffectedundertheenemy’sfire。
　　WhenthecavalryoftheImperialRussianGuardcrushedabattalionofthe4thoftheline，PontmercywasoneofthosewhotooktheirrevengeandoverthrewtheGuard。TheEmperorgavehimthecross。
　　PontmercysawWurmseratMantua，Melas，andAlexandria，MackatUlm，madeprisonersinsuccession。HeformedapartoftheeighthcorpsofthegrandarmywhichMortiercommanded，andwhichcapturedHamburg。
　　Thenhewastransferredtothe55thoftheline，whichwastheoldregimentofFlanders。AtEylauhewasinthecemeterywhere，forthespaceoftwohours，theheroicCaptainLouisHugo，theuncleoftheauthorofthisbook，sustainedalonewithhiscompanyofeighty—threemeneveryeffortofthehostilearmy。
　　Pontmercywasoneofthethreewhoemergedalivefromthatcemetery。
　　HewasatFriedland。ThenhesawMoscow。ThenLaBeresina，thenLutzen，Bautzen，Dresden，Wachau，Leipzig，andthedefilesofGelenhausen；
　　thenMontmirail，Chateau—Thierry，Craon，thebanksoftheMarne，thebanksoftheAisne，andtheredoubtablepositionofLaon。
　　AtArnay—Le—Duc，beingthenacaptain，heputtenCossackstothesword，andsaved，nothisgeneral，buthiscorporal。Hewaswellslasheduponthisoccasion，andtwenty—sevensplinterswereextractedfromhisleftarmalone。EightdaysbeforethecapitulationofParishehadjustexchangedwithacomradeandenteredthecavalry。
　　Hehadwhatwascalledundertheoldregime，thedoublehand，thatistosay，anequalaptitudeforhandlingthesabreorthemusketasasoldier，orasquadronorabattalionasanofficer。Itisfromthisaptitude，perfectedbyamilitaryeducation，whichcertainspecialbranchesoftheservicearise，thedragoons，forexample，whoarebothcavalry—menandinfantryatoneandthesametime。
　　HeaccompaniedNapoleontotheIslandofElba。AtWaterloo，hewaschiefofasquadronofcuirassiers，inDubois’brigade。ItwashewhocapturedthestandardoftheLunenburgbattalion。HecameandcasttheflagattheEmperor’sfeet。Hewascoveredwithblood。
　　Whiletearingdownthebannerhehadreceivedasword—cutacrosshisface。TheEmperor，greatlypleased，shoutedtohim:"Youareacolonel，youareabaron，youareanofficeroftheLegionofHonor！"
　　Pontmercyreplied:"Sire，Ithankyouformywidow。"Anhourlater，hefellintheravineofOhain。Now，whowasthisGeorgesPontmercy？
　　Hewasthissame"brigandoftheLoire。"
　　Wehavealreadyseensomethingofhishistory。AfterWaterloo，Pontmercy，whohadbeenpulledoutofthehollowroadofOhain，asitwillberemembered，hadsucceededinjoiningthearmy，andhaddraggedhimselffromambulancetoambulanceasfarasthecantonmentsoftheLoire。
　　TheRestorationhadplacedhimonhalf—pay，thenhadsenthimintoresidence，thatistosay，undersurveillance，atVernon。
　　KingLouisXVIII。，regardingallthatwhichhadtakenplaceduringtheHundredDaysasnothavingoccurredatall，didnotrecognizehisqualityasanofficeroftheLegionofHonor，norhisgradeofcolonel，norhistitleofbaron。He，onhisside，neglectednooccasionofsigninghimself"ColonelBaronPontmercy。"
　　Hehadonlyanoldbluecoat，andheneverwentoutwithoutfasteningtoithisrosetteasanofficeroftheLegionofHonor。
　　TheAttorneyfortheCrownhadhimwarnedthattheauthoritieswouldprosecutehimfor"illegal"wearingofthisdecoration。
　　Whenthisnoticewasconveyedtohimthroughanofficiousintermediary，Pontmercyretortedwithabittersmile:"IdonotknowwhetherI
　　nolongerunderstandFrench，orwhetheryounolongerspeakit；
　　butthefactisthatIdonotunderstand。"Thenhewentoutforeightsuccessivedayswithhisrosette。Theydarednotinterferewithhim。
　　TwoorthreetimestheMinisterofWarandthegeneralincommandofthedepartmentwrotetohimwiththefollowingaddress:
　　AMonsieurleCommandantPontmercy。"Hesentbacktheletterswiththesealsunbroken。Atthesamemoment，NapoleonatSaintHelenawastreatinginthesamefashionthemissivesofSirHudsonLoweaddressedtoGeneralBonaparte。Pontmercyhadended，maywebepardonedtheexpression，byhavinginhismouththesamesalivaashisEmperor。
　　Inthesameway，therewereatRomeCarthaginianprisonerswhorefusedtosaluteFlaminius，andwhohadalittleofHannibal’sspirit。
　　Onedayheencounteredthedistrict—attorneyinoneofthestreetsofVernon，steppeduptohim，andsaid:"Mr。CrownAttorney，amIpermittedtowearmyscar？"
　　Hehadnothingsavehismeagrehalf—payaschiefofsquadron。
　　HehadhiredthesmallesthousewhichhecouldfindatVernon。
　　Helivedtherealone，wehavejustseenhow。UndertheEmpire，betweentwowars，hehadfoundtimetomarryMademoiselleGillenormand。
　　Theoldbourgeois，thoroughlyindignantatbottom，hadgivenhisconsentwithasigh，saying:"Thegreatestfamiliesareforcedintoit。"
　　In1815，MadamePontmercy，anadmirablewomanineverysense，bytheway，loftyinsentimentandrare，andworthyofherhusband，died，leavingachild。Thischildhadbeenthecolonel’sjoyinhissolitude；butthegrandfatherhadimperativelyclaimedhisgrandson，declaringthatifthechildwerenotgiventohimhewoulddisinherithim。Thefatherhadyieldedinthelittleone’sinterest，andhadtransferredhislovetoflowers。
　　Moreover，hehadrenouncedeverything，andneitherstirredupmischiefnorconspired。Hesharedhisthoughtsbetweentheinnocentthingswhichhewasthendoingandthegreatthingswhichhehaddone。
　　HepassedhistimeinexpectingapinkorinrecallingAusterlitz。
　　M。Gillenormandkeptupnorelationswithhisson—in—law。Thecolonelwas"abandit"tohim。M。Gillenormandnevermentionedthecolonel，exceptwhenheoccasionallymademockingallusionsto"hisBaronship。"IthadbeenexpresslyagreedthatPontmercyshouldneverattempttoseehissonnortospeaktohim，underpenaltyofhavingthelatterhandedovertohimdisownedanddisinherited。
　　FortheGillenormands，Pontmercywasamanafflictedwiththeplague。
　　Theyintendedtobringupthechildintheirownway。Perhapsthecolonelwaswrongtoaccepttheseconditions，buthesubmittedtothem，thinkingthathewasdoingrightandsacrificingnoonebuthimself。
　　TheinheritanceofFatherGillenormanddidnotamounttomuch；buttheinheritanceofMademoiselleGillenormandtheelderwasconsiderable。
　　Thisaunt，whohadremainedunmarried，wasveryrichonthematernalside，andhersister’ssonwashernaturalheir。Theboy，whosenamewasMarius，knewthathehadafather，butnothingmore。
　　Nooneopenedhismouthtohimaboutit。Nevertheless，inthesocietyintowhichhisgrandfathertookhim，whispers，innuendoes，andwinks，hadeventuallyenlightenedthelittleboy’smind；hehadfinallyunderstoodsomethingofthecase，andashenaturallytookintheideasandopinionswhichwere，sotospeak，theairhebreathed，byasortofinfiltrationandslowpenetration，hegraduallycametothinkofhisfatheronlywithshameandwithapainathisheart。
　　Whilehewasgrowingupinthisfashion，thecolonelslippedawayeverytwoorthreemonths，cametoParisonthesly，likeacriminalbreakinghisban，andwentandpostedhimselfatSaint—Sulpice，atthehourwhenAuntGillenormandledMariustothemass。
　　There，tremblinglesttheauntshouldturnround，concealedbehindapillar，motionless，notdaringtobreathe，hegazedathischild。
　　Thescarredveteranwasafraidofthatoldspinster。
　　FromthishadarisenhisconnectionwiththecureofVernon，M。l’AbbeMabeuf。
　　ThatworthypriestwasthebrotherofawardenofSaint—Sulpice，whohadoftenobservedthismangazingathischild，andthescaronhischeek，andthelargetearsinhiseyes。Thatman，whohadsomanlyanair，yetwhowasweepinglikeawoman，hadstruckthewarden。
　　Thatfacehadclungtohismind。Oneday，havinggonetoVernontoseehisbrother，hehadencounteredColonelPontmercyonthebridge，andhadrecognizedthemanofSaint—Sulpice。Thewardenhadmentionedthecircumstancetothecure，andbothhadpaidthecolonelavisit，onsomepretextorother。Thisvisitledtoothers。Thecolonel，whohadbeenextremelyreservedatfirst，endedbyopeninghisheart，andthecureandthewardenfinallycametoknowthewholehistory，andhowPontmercywassacrificinghishappinesstohischild’sfuture。
　　Thiscausedthecuretoregardhimwithvenerationandtenderness，andthecolonel，onhisside，becamefondofthecure。Andmoreover，whenbotharesincereandgood，nomensopenetrateeachother，andsoamalgamatewitheachother，asanoldpriestandanoldsoldier。
　　Atbottom，themanisthesame。Theonehasdevotedhislifetohiscountryherebelow，theothertohiscountryonhigh；thatistheonlydifference。
　　Twiceayear，onthefirstofJanuaryandonSt。George’sday，Mariuswrotedutyletterstohisfather，whichweredictatedbyhisaunt，andwhichonewouldhavepronouncedtobecopiedfromsomeformula；
　　thiswasallthatM。Gillenormandtolerated；andthefatheransweredthemwithverytenderletterswhichthegrandfatherthrustintohispocketunread。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　REQUIESCANT
　　MadamedeT。’ssalonwasallthatMariusPontmercyknewoftheworld。
　　Itwastheonlyopeningthroughwhichhecouldgetaglimpseoflife。Thisopeningwassombre，andmorecoldthanwarmth，morenightthanday，cametohimthroughthisskylight。Thischild，whohadbeenalljoyandlightonenteringthisstrangeworld，soonbecamemelancholy，and，whatisstillmorecontrarytohisage，grave。Surroundedbyallthosesingularandimposingpersonages，hegazedabouthimwithseriousamazement。Everythingconspiredtoincreasethisastonishmentinhim。TherewereinMadamedeT。’ssalonsomeverynobleladiesnamedMathan，Noe，Levis，——whichwaspronouncedLevi，——Cambis，pronouncedCambyse。TheseantiquevisagesandtheseBiblicalnamesmingledinthechild’smindwiththeOldTestamentwhichhewaslearningbyheart，andwhentheywereallthere，seatedinacirclearoundadyingfire，sparelylightedbyalampshadedwithgreen，withtheirsevereprofiles，theirgrayorwhitehair，theirlonggownsofanotherage，whoselugubriouscolorscouldnotbedistinguished，dropping，atrareintervals，wordswhichwerebothmajesticandsevere，littleMariusstaredatthemwithfrightenedeyes，intheconvictionthathebeheldnotwomen，butpatriarchsandmagi，notrealbeings，butphantoms。
　　Withthesephantoms，priestsweresometimesmingled，frequentersofthisancientsalon，andsomegentlemen；theMarquisdeSass****，privatesecretarytoMadamedeBerry，theVicomtedeVal***，whopublished，underthepseudonymeofCharles—Antoine，monorhymedodes，thePrincedeBeauff*******，who，thoughveryyoung，hadagrayheadandaprettyandwittywife，whoseverylow—neckedtoilettesofscarletvelvetwithgoldtorsadesalarmedtheseshadows，theMarquisdeC*****d’E******，themaninallFrancewhobestunderstood"proportionedpoliteness，"
　　theComted’Am*****，thekindlymanwiththeamiablechin，andtheChevalierdePort—de—Guy，apillarofthelibraryoftheLouvre，calledtheKing’scabinet，M。dePort—de—Guy，bald，andratheragedthanold，waswonttorelatethatin1793，attheageofsixteen，hehadbeenputinthegalleysasrefractoryandchainedwithanoctogenarian，theBishopofMirepoix，alsorefractory，butasapriest，whilehewassointhecapacityofasoldier。ThiswasatToulon。
　　Theirbusinesswastogoatnightandgatheruponthescaffoldtheheadsandbodiesofthepersonswhohadbeenguillotinedduringtheday；theyboreawayontheirbacksthesedrippingcorpses，andtheirredgalley—slaveblouseshadaclotofbloodatthebackoftheneck，whichwasdryinthemorningandwetatnight。
　　ThesetragictalesaboundedinMadamedeT。’ssalon，andbydintofcursingMarat，theyapplaudedTrestaillon。Somedeputiesoftheundiscoverablevarietyplayedtheirwhistthere；M。ThibordduChalard，M。LemarchantdeGomicourt，andthecelebratedscofferoftheright，M。Cornet—Dincourt。ThebailiffdeFerrette，withhisshortbreechesandhisthinlegs，sometimestraversedthissalononhiswaytoM。deTalleyrand。HehadbeenM。leComted’Artois’
　　companioninpleasuresandunlikeAristotlecrouchingunderCampaspe，hehadmadetheGuimardcrawlonallfours，andinthatwayhehadexhibitedtotheagesaphilosopheravengedbyabailiff。
　　Asforthepriests，therewastheAbbeHalma，thesametowhomM。Larose，hiscollaboratoronlaFoudre，said:"Bah！Whoistherewhoisnotfiftyyearsold？afewgreenhornsperhaps？"
　　TheAbbeLetourneur，preachertotheKing，theAbbeFrayssinous，whowasnot，asyet，eithercount，orbishop，orminister，orpeer，andwhoworeanoldcassockwhosebuttonsweremissing，andtheAbbeKeravenant，CureofSaint—Germain—des—Pres；alsothePope’sNuncio，thenMonsignorMacchi，ArchbishopofNisibi，lateronCardinal，remarkableforhislong，pensivenose，andanotherMonsignor，entitledthus:AbbatePalmieri，domesticprelate，oneofthesevenparticipantprothonotariesoftheHolySee，CanonoftheillustriousLiberianbasilica，Advocateofthesaints，PostulatoredeiSanti，whichreferstomattersofcanonization，andsignifiesverynearly:
　　MasterofRequestsofthesectionofParadise。Lastly，twocardinals，M。delaLuzerne，andM。deCl******T*******。TheCardinalofLuzernewasawriterandwasdestinedtohave，afewyearslater，thehonorofsigningintheConservateurarticlessidebysidewithChateaubriand；
　　M。deCl******T*******wasArchbishopofToul****，andoftenmadetripstoParis，tohisnephew，theMarquisdeT*******，whowasMinisterofMarineandWar。TheCardinalofCl******T*******
　　wasamerrylittleman，whodisplayedhisredstockingsbeneathhistucked—upcassock；hisspecialtywasahatredoftheEncyclopaedia，andhisdesperateplayatbilliards，andpersonswho，atthatepoch，passedthroughtheRueM*****onsummerevenings，wherethehoteldeCl******T*******thenstood，haltedtolistentotheshockoftheballsandthepiercingvoiceoftheCardinalshoutingtohisconclavist，MonseigneurCotiret，BishopinpartibusofCaryste:
　　"Mark，Abbe，Imakeacannon。"TheCardinaldeCl******T*******
　　hadbeenbroughttoMadamedeT。’sbyhismostintimatefriend，M。deRoquelaure，formerBishopofSenlis，andoneoftheForty。
　　M。deRoquelaurewasnotableforhisloftyfigureandhisassiduityattheAcademy；throughtheglassdooroftheneighboringhallofthelibrarywheretheFrenchAcademythenhelditsmeetings，thecuriouscould，oneveryTuesday，contemplatetheEx—BishopofSenlis，usuallystandingerect，freshlypowdered，inviolethose，withhisbackturnedtothedoor，apparentlyforthepurposeofallowingabetterviewofhislittlecollar。Alltheseecclesiastics，thoughforthemostpartasmuchcourtiersaschurchmen，addedtothegravityoftheT。salon，whoseseigniorialaspectwasaccentuatedbyfivepeersofFrance，theMarquisdeVib****，theMarquisdeTal***，theMarquisdeHerb*******，theVicomteDamb***，andtheDucdeVal********。ThisDucdeVal********，althoughPrincedeMon***，thatistosayareigningprinceabroad，hadsohighanideaofFranceanditspeerage，thatheviewedeverythingthroughtheirmedium。
　　Itwashewhosaid:"TheCardinalsarethepeersofFranceofRome；
　　thelordsarethepeersofFranceofEngland。"Moreover，asitisindispensablethattheRevolutionshouldbeeverywhereinthiscentury，thisfeudalsalonwas，aswehavesaid，dominatedbyabourgeois。
　　M。Gillenormandreignedthere。
　　TherelaytheessenceandquintessenceoftheParisianwhitesociety。
　　Therereputations，evenRoyalistreputations，wereheldinquarantine。
　　Thereisalwaysatraceofanarchyinrenown。Chateaubriand，hadheenteredthere，wouldhaveproducedtheeffectofPereDuchene。Someofthescoffed—atdid，nevertheless，penetratethitheronsufferance。
　　ComteBeug***wasreceivedthere，subjecttocorrection。
　　The"noble"salonsofthepresentdaynolongerresemblethosesalons。
　　TheFaubourgSaint—Germainreeksofthefagotevennow。TheRoyalistsofto—dayaredemagogues，letusrecordittotheircredit。
　　AtMadamedeT。’sthesocietywassuperior，tastewasexquisiteandhaughty，underthecoverofagreatshowofpoliteness。
　　Mannersthereadmittedofallsortsofinvoluntaryrefinementswhichweretheoldregimeitself，buriedbutstillalive。Someofthesehabits，especiallyinthematteroflanguage，seemeccentric。
　　Personsbutsuperficiallyacquaintedwiththemwouldhavetakenforprovincialthatwhichwasonlyantique。AwomanwascalledMadamelaGenerale。MadamelaColonellewasnotentirelydisused。
　　ThecharmingMadamedeLeon，inmemory，nodoubt，oftheDuchessesdeLonguevilleanddeChevreuse，preferredthisappellationtohertitleofPrincesse。TheMarquisedeCrequywasalsocalledMadamelaColonelle。
　　ItwasthislittlehighsocietywhichinventedattheTuileriestherefinementofspeakingtotheKinginprivateastheKing，inthethirdperson，andneverasYourMajesty，thedesignationofYourMajestyhavingbeen"soiledbytheusurper。"
　　Menanddeedswerebroughttojudgmentthere。Theyjeeredattheage，whichreleasedthemfromthenecessityofunderstandingit。
　　Theyabettedeachotherinamazement。Theycommunicatedtoeachotherthatmodicumoflightwhichtheypossessed。
　　MethuselahbestowedinformationonEpimenides。Thedeafmanmadetheblindmanacquaintedwiththecourseofthings。TheydeclaredthatthetimewhichhadelaspedsinceCoblentzhadnotexisted。
　　InthesamemannerthatLouisXVIII。wasbythegraceofGod，inthefiveandtwentiethyearofhisreign，theemigrantswere，byrights，inthefiveandtwentiethyearoftheiradolescence。
　　Allwasharmonious；nothingwastoomuchalive；speechhardlyamountedtoabreath；thenewspapers，agreeingwiththesalons，seemedapapyrus。Thereweresomeyoungpeople，buttheywereratherdead。Theliveriesintheantechamberwereantiquated。
　　Theseutterlyobsoletepersonageswereservedbydomesticsofthesamestamp。
　　Theyallhadtheairofhavinglivedalongtimeago，andofobstinatelyresistingthesepulchre。NearlythewholedictionaryconsistedofConserver，Conservation，Conservateur；tobeingoododor，——
　　thatwasthepoint。Thereare，infact，aromaticsintheopinionsofthesevenerablegroups，andtheirideassmelledofit。
　　Itwasamummifiedsociety。Themasterswereembalmed，theservantswerestuffedwithstraw。
　　Aworthyoldmarquise，anemigreeandruined，whohadbutasolitarymaid，continuedtosay:"Mypeople。"
　　WhatdidtheydoinMadamedeT。’ssalon？Theywereultra。
　　Tobeultra；thisword，althoughwhatitrepresentsmaynothavedisappeared，hasnolongeranymeaningatthepresentday。
　　Letusexplainit。
　　Tobeultraistogobeyond。Itistoattackthesceptreinthenameofthethrone，andthemitreinthenameoftheattar；itistoill—treatthethingwhichoneisdragging，itistokickoverthetraces；
　　itistocavilatthefagotonthescoreoftheamountofcookingreceivedbyheretics；itistoreproachtheidolwithitssmallamountofidolatry；itistoinsultthroughexcessofrespect；
　　itistodiscoverthatthePopeisnotsufficientlypapish，thattheKingisnotsufficientlyroyal，andthatthenighthastoomuchlight；itistobediscontentedwithalabaster，withsnow，withtheswanandthelilyinthenameofwhiteness；
　　itistobeapartisanofthingstothepointofbecomingtheirenemy；
　　itistobesostronglyfor，astobeagainst。
　　TheultraspiritespeciallycharacterizesthefirstphaseoftheRestoration。
　　Nothinginhistoryresemblesthatquarterofanhourwhichbeginsin1814
　　andterminatesabout1820，withtheadventofM。deVillele，thepracticalmanoftheRight。Thesesixyearswereanextraordinarymoment；
　　atoneandthesametimebrilliantandgloomy，smilingandsombre，illuminatedasbytheradianceofdawnandentirelycovered，atthesametime，withtheshadowsofthegreatcatastropheswhichstillfilledthehorizonandwereslowlysinkingintothepast。Thereexistedinthatlightandthatshadow，acompletelittlenewandoldworld，comicandsad，juvenileandsenile，whichwasrubbingitseyes；
　　nothingresemblesanawakeninglikeareturn；agroupwhichregardedFrancewithill—temper，andwhichFranceregardedwithirony；
　　goodoldowlsofmarquisesbythestreetful，whohadreturned，andofghosts，the"former"subjectsofamazementateverything，braveandnoblegentlemenwhosmiledatbeinginFrancebutweptalso，delightedtobeholdtheircountryoncemore，indespairatnotfindingtheirmonarchy；thenobilityoftheCrusadestreatingthenobilityoftheEmpire，thatistosay，thenobilityofthesword，withscorn；
　　historicraceswhohadlostthesenseofhistory；thesonsofthecompanionsofCharlemagnedisdainingthecompanionsofNapoleon。
　　Theswords，aswehavejustremarked，returnedtheinsult；theswordofFontenoywaslaughableandnothingbutascrapofrustyiron；
　　theswordofMarengowasodiousandwasonlyasabre。FormerdaysdidnotrecognizeYesterday。Peoplenolongerhadthefeelingforwhatwasgrand。TherewassomeonewhocalledBonaparteScapin。
　　ThisSocietynolongerexists。Nothingofit，werepeat，existsto—day。Whenweselectfromitsomeonefigureatrandom，andattempttomakeitliveagaininthought，itseemsasstrangetousastheworldbeforetheDeluge。Itisbecauseit，too，asamatteroffact，hasbeenengulfedinadeluge。IthasdisappearedbeneathtwoRevolutions。Whatbillowsareideas！Howquicklytheycoverallthatitistheirmissiontodestroyandtobury，andhowpromptlytheycreatefrightfulgulfs！
　　SuchwasthephysiognomyofthesalonsofthosedistantandcandidtimeswhenM。MartainvillehadmorewitthanVoltaire。
　　Thesesalonshadaliteratureandpoliticsoftheirown。
　　TheybelievedinFievee。M。Agierlaiddownthelawinthem。
　　TheycommentatedM。Colnet，theoldbooksellerandpublicistoftheQuayMalaquais。NapoleonwastothemthoroughlytheCorsicanOgre。
　　LaterontheintroductionintohistoryofM。leMarquisdeBonaparte，Lieutenant—GeneraloftheKing’sarmies，wasaconcessiontothespiritoftheage。
　　Thesesalonsdidnotlongpreservetheirpurity。Beginningwith1818，doctrinariansbegantospringupinthem，adisturbingshade。
　　TheirwaywastobeRoyalistsandtoexcusethemselvesforbeingso。
　　Wheretheultraswereveryproud，thedoctrinarianswereratherashamed。
　　Theyhadwit；theyhadsilence；theirpoliticaldogmawassuitablyimpregnatedwitharrogance；theyshouldhavesucceeded。
　　Theyindulged，andusefullytoo，inexcessesinthematterofwhitenecktiesandtightlybuttonedcoats。Themistakeorthemisfortuneofthedoctrinarianpartywastocreateagedyouth。Theyassumedtheposesofwisemen。Theydreamedofengraftingatemperatepowerontheabsoluteandexcessiveprinciple。Theyopposed，andsometimeswithrareintelligence，conservativeliberalismtotheliberalismwhichdemolishes。Theywereheardtosay:
　　"ThanksforRoyalism！Ithasrenderedmorethanoneservice。Ithasbroughtbacktradition，worship，religion，respect。Itisfaithful，brave，chivalric，loving，devoted。Ithasmingled，thoughwithregret，theseculargrandeursofthemonarchywiththenewgrandeursofthenation。ItsmistakeisnottounderstandtheRevolution，theEmpire，glory，liberty，youngideas，younggenerations，theage。Butthismistakewhichitmakeswithregardtous，——
　　havewenotsometimesbeenguiltyofittowardsthem？TheRevolution，whoseheirsweare，oughttobeintelligentonallpoints。
　　ToattackRoyalismisamisconstructionofliberalism。Whatanerror！
　　Andwhatblindness！RevolutionaryFranceiswantinginrespecttowardshistoricFrance，thatistosay，towardsitsmother，thatistosay，towardsitself。Afterthe5thofSeptember，thenobilityofthemonarchyistreatedasthenobilityoftheEmpirewastreatedafterthe5thofJuly。Theywereunjusttotheeagle，weareunjusttothefleur—de—lys。Itseemsthatwemustalwayshavesomethingtoproscribe！DoesitserveanypurposetoungildthecrownofLouisXIV。，toscrapethecoatofarmsofHenryIV。？WescoffatM。deVaublancforerasingtheN’sfromthebridgeofJena！
　　Whatwasitthathedid？Whatarewedoing？BouvinesbelongstousaswellasMarengo。Thefleurs—de—lysareoursaswellastheN’s。
　　Thatisourpatrimony。Towhatpurposeshallwediminishit？
　　Wemustnotdenyourcountryinthepastanymorethaninthepresent。
　　Whynotacceptthewholeofhistory？WhynotlovethewholeofFrance？
　　ItisthusthatdoctrinarianscriticisedandprotectedRoyalism，whichwasdispleasedatcriticismandfuriousatprotection。
　　TheultrasmarkedthefirstepochofRoyalism，congregationcharacterizedthesecond。
　　Skillfollowsardor。Letusconfineourselvesheretothissketch。
　　Inthecourseofthisnarrative，theauthorofthisbookhasencounteredinhispaththiscuriousmomentofcontemporaryhistory；
　　hehasbeenforcedtocastapassingglanceuponit，andtotraceoncemoresomeofthesingularfeaturesofthissocietywhichisunknownto—day。Buthedoesitrapidlyandwithoutanybitterorderisiveidea。Souvenirsbothrespectfulandaffectionate，fortheytouchhismother，attachhimtothispast。Moreover，letusremark，thissamepettyworldhadagrandeurofitsown。
　　Onemaysmileatit，butonecanneitherdespisenorhateit。
　　ItwastheFranceofformerdays。
　　MariusPontmercypursuedsomestudies，asallchildrendo。WhenheemergedfromthehandsofAuntGillenormand，hisgrandfatherconfidedhimtoaworthyprofessorofthemostpurelyclassicinnocence。
　　Thisyoungsoulwhichwasexpandingpassedfromaprudetoavulgarpedant。
　　Mariuswentthroughhisyearsofcollege，thenheenteredthelawschool。HewasaRoyalist，fanaticalandsevere。Hedidnotlovehisgrandfathermuch，asthelatter’sgayetyandcynicismrepelledhim，andhisfeelingstowardshisfatherweregloomy。
　　Hewas，onthewhole，acoldandardent，noble，generous，proud，religious，enthusiasticlad；dignifiedtoharshness，puretoshyness。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　ENDOFTHEBRIGAND
　　TheconclusionofMarius’classicalstudiescoincidedwithM。Gillenormand’sdeparturefromsociety。TheoldmanbadefarewelltotheFaubourgSaint—GermainandtoMadamedeT。’ssalon，andestablishedhimselfintheMardis，inhishouseoftheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire。Therehehadforservants，inadditiontotheporter，thatchambermaid，Nicolette，whohadsucceededtoMagnon，andthatshort—breathedandpursyBasque，whohavebeenmentionedabove。
　　In1827，Mariushadjustattainedhisseventeenthyear。Oneevening，onhisreturnhome，hesawhisgrandfatherholdingaletterinhishand。
　　"Marius，"saidM。Gillenormand，"youwillsetoutforVernonto—morrow。"
　　"Why？"saidMarius。
　　"Toseeyourfather。"
　　Mariuswasseizedwithatremblingfit。Hehadthoughtofeverythingexceptthis——thatheshouldonedaybecalledupontoseehisfather。
　　Nothingcouldbemoreunexpected，moresurprising，and，letusadmitit，moredisagreeabletohim。Itwasforcingestrangementintoreconciliation。Itwasnotanaffliction，butitwasanunpleasantduty。
　　Marius，inadditiontohismotivesofpoliticalantipathy，wasconvincedthathisfather，theslasher，asM。Gillenormandcalledhimonhisamiabledays，didnotlovehim；thiswasevident，sincehehadabandonedhimtoothers。Feelingthathewasnotbeloved，hedidnotlove。"Nothingismoresimple，"hesaidtohimself。
　　HewassoastoundedthathedidnotquestionM。Gillenormand。
　　Thegrandfatherresumed:——
　　"Itappearsthatheisill。Hedemandsyourpresence。"
　　Andafterapause，headded:——
　　"Setoutto—morrowmorning。IthinkthereisacoachwhichleavestheCourdesFontainesatsixo’clock，andwhicharrivesintheevening。
　　Takeit。Hesaysthathereishaste。"
　　Thenhecrushedtheletterinhishandandthrustitintohispocket。
　　Mariusmighthavesetoutthatveryeveningandhavebeenwithhisfatheronthefollowingmorning。AdiligencefromtheRueduBouloitookthetriptoRouenbynightatthatdate，andpassedthroughVernon。NeitherMariusnorM。Gillenormandthoughtofmakinginquiriesaboutit。
　　Thenextday，attwilight，MariusreachedVernon。Peoplewerejustbeginningtolighttheircandles。Heaskedthefirstpersonwhombemetfor"M。Pontmercy’shouse。"Forinhisownmind，heagreedwiththeRestoration，andlikeit，didnotrecognizehisfather’sclaimtothetitleofeithercolonelorbaron。
　　Thehousewaspointedouttohim。Herang；awomanwithalittlelampinherhandopenedthedoor。
　　"M。Pontmercy？"saidMarius。
　　Thewomanremainedmotionless。
　　"Isthishishouse？"demandedMarius。
　　Thewomannoddedaffirmatively。
　　"CanIspeakwithhim？"
　　Thewomanshookherhead。
　　"ButIamhisson！"persistedMarius。"Heisexpectingme。"
　　"Henolongerexpectsyou，"saidthewoman。
　　Thenheperceivedthatshewasweeping。
　　Shepointedtothedoorofaroomontheground—floor；heentered。
　　Inthatroom，whichwaslightedbyatallowcandlestandingonthechimney—piece，therewerethreemen，onestandingerect，anotherkneeling，andonelyingatfulllength，onthefloorinhisshirt。Theoneonthefloorwasthecolonel。
　　Theothertwowerethedoctor，andthepriest，whowasengagedinprayer。
　　Thecolonelhadbeenattackedbybrainfeverthreedayspreviously。
　　Ashehadaforebodingofevilattheverybeginningofhisillness，hehadwrittentoM。Gillenormandtodemandhisson。Themaladyhadgrownworse。OntheveryeveningofMarius’arrivalatVernon，thecolonelhadhadanattackofdelirium；hehadrisenfromhisbed，inspiteoftheservant’seffortstopreventhim，crying:"Mysonisnotcoming！Ishallgotomeethim！"Thenheranoutofhisroomandfellprostrateontheflooroftheantechamber。Hehadjustexpired。
　　Thedoctorhadbeensummoned，andthecure。Thedoctorhadarrivedtoolate。Thesonhadalsoarrivedtoolate。
　　Bythedimlightofthecandle，alargetearcouldbedistinguishedonthepaleandprostratecolonel’scheek，whereithadtrickledfromhisdeadeye。Theeyewasextinguished，butthetearwasnotyetdry。Thattearwashisson’sdelay。
　　Mariusgazeduponthatmanwhomhebeheldforthefirsttime，onthatvenerableandmanlyface，onthoseopeneyeswhichsawnot，onthosewhitelocks，thoserobustlimbs，onwhich，hereandthere，brownlines，markingsword—thrusts，andasortofredstars，whichindicatedbullet—holes，werevisible。HecontemplatedthatgiganticsearwhichstampedheroismonthatcountenanceuponwhichGodhadimprintedgoodness。Hereflectedthatthismanwashisfather，andthatthismanwasdead，andachillranoverhim。
　　Thesorrowwhichhefeltwasthesorrowwhichhewouldhavefeltinthepresenceofanyothermanwhomhehadchancedtobeholdstretchedoutindeath。
　　Anguish，poignantanguish，wasinthatchamber。Theservant—womanwaslamentinginacorner，thecurewaspraying，andhissobswereaudible，thedoctorwaswipinghiseyes；thecorpseitselfwasweeping。
　　Thedoctor，thepriest，andthewomangazedatMariusinthemidstoftheirafflictionwithoututteringaword；hewasthestrangerthere。Marius，whowasfartoolittleaffected，feltashamedandembarrassedathisownattitude；heheldhishatinhishand；
　　andhedroppeditonthefloor，inordertoproducetheimpressionthatgriefhaddeprivedhimofthestrengthtoholdit。
　　Atthesametime，heexperiencedremorse，andhedespisedhimselfforbehavinginthismanner。Butwasithisfault？Hedidnotlovehisfather？Whyshouldhe！
　　Thecolonelhadleftnothing。Thesaleofbigfurniturebarelypaidtheexpensesofhisburial。
　　Theservantfoundascrapofpaper，whichshehandedtoMarius。
　　Itcontainedthefollowing，inthecolonel’shandwriting:——
　　"Formyson。——TheEmperormademeaBarononthebattle—fieldofWaterloo。SincetheRestorationdisputesmyrighttothistitlewhichIpurchasedwithmyblood，mysonshalltakeitandbearit。
　　Thathewillbeworthyofitisamatterofcourse。"Below，thecolonelhadadded:"AtthatsamebattleofWaterloo，asergeantsavedmylife。
　　Theman’snamewasThenardier。Ithinkthathehasrecentlybeenkeepingalittleinn，inavillageintheneighborhoodofParis，atChellesorMontfermeil。Ifmysonmeetshim，hewilldoallthegoodhecantoThenardier。"
　　Mariustookthispaperandpreservedit，notoutofdutytohisfather，butbecauseofthatvaguerespectfordeathwhichisalwaysimperiousintheheartofman。
　　Nothingremainedofthecolonel。M。Gillenormandhadhisswordanduniformsoldtoanold—clothesdealer。Theneighborsdevastatedthegardenandpillagedtherareflowers。Theotherplantsturnedtonettlesandweeds，anddied。
　　Mariusremainedonlyforty—eighthoursatVernon。AftertheintermenthereturnedtoParis，andappliedhimselfagaintohislawstudies，withnomorethoughtofhisfatherthanifthelatterhadneverlived。
　　Intwodaysthecolonelwasburied，andinthreeforgotten。
　　Mariusworecrapeonhishat。Thatwasall。
　　CHAPTERV
　　THEUTILITYOFGOINGTOMASS，INORDERTOBECOMEAREVOLUTIONIST
　　Mariushadpreservedthereligioushabitsofhischildhood。
　　OneSunday，whenhewenttohearmassatSaint—Sulpice，atthatsamechapeloftheVirginwhitherhisaunthadledhimwhenasmalllad，heplacedhimselfbehindapillar，beingmoreabsent—mindedandthoughtfulthanusualonthatoccasion，andkneltdown，withoutpayinganyspecialheed，uponachairofUtrechtvelvet，onthebackofwhichwasinscribedthisname:MonsieurMabeuf，warden。MasshadhardlybegunwhenanoldmanpresentedhimselfandsaidtoMarius:——
　　"Thisismyplace，sir。"
　　Mariussteppedasidepromptly，andtheoldmantookpossessionofhischair。
　　Themassconcluded，Mariusstillstoodthoughtfullyafewpacesdistant；
　　theoldmanapproachedhimagainandsaid:——
　　"Ibegyourpardon，sir，forhavingdisturbedyouawhileago，andforagaindisturbingyouatthismoment；youmusthavethoughtmeintrusive，andIwillexplainmyself。"
　　"Thereisnoneedofthat，Sir，"saidMarius。
　　"Yes！"wentontheoldman，"Idonotwishyoutohaveabadopinionofme。Yousee，Iamattachedtothisplace。Itseemstomethatthemassisbetterfromhere。Why？Iwilltellyou。
　　Itisfromthisplace，thatIhavewatchedapoor，bravefathercomeregularly，everytwoorthreemonths，forthelasttenyears，sincehehadnootheropportunityandnootherwayofseeinghischild，becausehewaspreventedbyfamilyarrangements。
　　Hecameatthehourwhenheknewthathissonwouldbebroughttomass。Thelittleoneneversuspectedthathisfatherwasthere。
　　Perhapshedidnotevenknowthathehadafather，poorinnocent！
　　Thefatherkeptbehindapillar，sothathemightnotbeseen。
　　Hegazedathischildandhewept。Headoredthatlittlefellow，poorman！Icouldseethat。Thisspothasbecomesanctifiedinmysight，andIhavecontractedahabitofcominghithertolistentothemass。IpreferittothestalltowhichIhavearight，inmycapacityofwarden。Iknewthatunhappygentlemanalittle，too。
　　Hehadafather—in—law，awealthyaunt，relatives，Idon’tknowexactlywhatall，whothreatenedtodisinheritthechildifhe，thefather，sawhim。Hesacrificedhimselfinorderthathissonmightberichandhappysomeday。Hewasseparatedfromhimbecauseofpoliticalopinions。Certainly，Iapproveofpoliticalopinions，buttherearepeoplewhodonotknowwheretostop。
　　MonDieu！amanisnotamonsterbecausehewasatWaterloo；
　　afatherisnotseparatedfromhischildforsuchareasonasthat。
　　HewasoneofBonaparte’scolonels。Heisdead，Ibelieve。HelivedatVernon，whereIhaveabrotherwhoisacure，andhisnamewassomethinglikePontmarieorMontpercy。Hehadafinesword—cut，onmyhonor。"
　　"Pontmercy，"suggestedMarius，turningpale。
　　"Precisely，Pontmercy。Didyouknowhim？"
　　"Sir，"saidMarius，"hewasmyfather。"
　　Theoldwardenclaspedhishandsandexclaimed:——
　　"Ah！youarethechild！Yes，that’strue，hemustbeamanbythistime。Well！poorchild，youmaysaythatyouhadafatherwholovedyoudearly！"
　　Mariusofferedhisarmtotheoldmanandconductedhimtohislodgings。
　　Onthefollowingday，hesaidtoM。Gillenormand:——
　　"Ihavearrangedahunting—partywithsomefriends。Willyoupermitmetobeabsentforthreedays？"
　　"Four！"repliedhisgrandfather。"Goandamuseyourself。"
　　Andhesaidtohisdaughterinalowtone，andwithawink，"Someloveaffair！"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　THECONSEQUENCESOFHAVINGMETAWARDEN
　　WhereitwasthatMariuswentwillbedisclosedalittlefurtheron。
　　Mariuswasabsentforthreedays，thenhereturnedtoParis，wentstraighttothelibraryofthelaw—schoolandaskedforthefilesoftheMoniteur。
　　HereadtheMoniteur，hereadallthehistoriesoftheRepublicandtheEmpire，theMemorialdeSainte—Helene，allthememoirs，allthenewspapers，thebulletins，theproclamations；hedevouredeverything。Thefirsttimethathecameacrosshisfather’snameinthebulletinsofthegrandarmy，hehadafeverforaweek。
　　HewenttoseethegeneralsunderwhomGeorgesPontmercyhadserved，amongothers，ComteH。Church—wardenMabeuf，whomhewenttoseeagain，toldhimaboutthelifeatVernon，thecolonel’sretreat，hisflowers，hissolitude。Mariuscametoafullknowledgeofthatrare，sweet，andsublimeman，thatspeciesoflion—lambwhohadbeenhisfather。
　　Inthemeanwhile，occupiedashewaswiththisstudywhichabsorbedallhismomentsaswellashisthoughts，hehardlysawtheGillenormandsatall。Hemadehisappearanceatmeals；thentheysearchedforhim，andhewasnottobefound。FatherGillenormandsmiled。"Bah！bah！
　　Heisjustoftheageforthegirls！"Sometimestheoldmanadded:
　　"Thedeuce！Ithoughtitwasonlyanaffairofgallantry，Itseemsthatitisanaffairofpassion！"
　　Itwasapassion，infact。Mariuswasonthehighroadtoadoringhisfather。
　　Atthesametime，hisideasunderwentanextraordinarychange。
　　Thephasesofthischangewerenumerousandsuccessive。Asthisisthehistoryofmanymindsofourday，wethinkitwillproveusefultofollowthesephasesstepbystepandtoindicatethemall。
　　Thathistoryuponwhichhehadjustcasthiseyesappalledhim。
　　Thefirsteffectwastodazzlehim。
　　Uptothattime，theRepublic，theEmpire，hadbeentohimonlymonstrouswords。TheRepublic，aguillotineinthetwilight；
　　theEmpire，aswordinthenight。Hehadjusttakenalookatit，andwherehehadexpectedtofindonlyachaosofshadows，hehadbeheld，withasortofunprecedentedsurprise，mingledwithfearandjoy，starssparkling，Mirabeau，Vergniaud，Saint—Just，Robespierre，Camille，Desmoulins，Danton，andasunarise，Napoleon。Hedidnotknowwherehestood。Herecoiled，blindedbythebrilliantlights。
　　Littlebylittle，whenhisastonishmenthadpassedoff，hegrewaccustomedtothisradiance，hecontemplatedthesedeedswithoutdizziness，heexaminedthesepersonageswithoutterror；
　　theRevolutionandtheEmpirepresentedthemselvesluminously，inperspective，beforehismind’seye；hebeheldeachofthesegroupsofeventsandofmensummedupintwotremendousfacts:
　　theRepublicinthesovereigntyofcivilrightrestoredtothemasses，theEmpireinthesovereigntyoftheFrenchideaimposedonEurope；
　　hebeheldthegrandfigureofthepeopleemergefromtheRevolution，andthegrandfigureofFrancespringforthfromtheEmpire。
　　Heassertedinhisconscience，thatallthishadbeengood。
　　Whathisdazzledstateneglectedinthis，hisfirstfartoosyntheticestimation，wedonotthinkitnecessarytopointouthere。
　　Itisthestateofamindonthemarchthatwearerecording。
　　Progressisnotaccomplishedinonestage。Thatstated，onceforall，inconnectionwithwhatprecedesaswellaswithwhatistofollow，wecontinue。
　　Hethenperceivedthat，uptothatmoment，hehadcomprehendedhiscountrynomorethanhehadcomprehendedhisfather。Hehadnotknowneithertheoneortheother，andasortofvoluntarynighthadobscuredhiseyes。Nowhesaw，andontheonehandheadmired，whileontheotherheadored。
　　Hewasfilledwithregretandremorse，andhereflectedindespairthatallhehadinhissoulcouldnowbesaidonlytothetomb。
　　Oh！ifhisfatherhadstillbeeninexistence，ifhehadstillhadhim，ifGod，inhiscompassionandhisgoodness，hadpermittedhisfathertobestillamongtheliving，howhewouldhaverun，howhewouldhaveprecipitatedhimself，howhewouldhavecriedtohisfather:"Father！HereIam！ItisI！Ihavethesameheartasthou！Iamthyson！"Howhewouldhaveembracedthatwhitehead，bathedhishairintears，gazeduponhisscar，pressedhishands，adoredhisgarment，kissedhisfeet！Oh！Whyhadhisfatherdiedsoearly，beforehistime，beforethejustice，theloveofhissonhadcometohim？Mariushadacontinualsobinhisheart，whichsaidtohimeverymoment:"Alas！"Atthesametime，hebecamemoretrulyserious，moretrulygrave，moresureofhisthoughtandhisfaith。Ateachinstant，gleamsofthetruecametocompletehisreason。Aninwardgrowthseemedtobeinprogresswithinhim。Hewasconsciousofasortofnaturalenlargement，whichgavehimtwothingsthatwerenewtohim——hisfatherandhiscountry。
　　Aseverythingopenswhenonehasakey，soheexplainedtohimselfthatwhichhehadhated，hepenetratedthatwhichhehadabhorred；
　　henceforthheplainlyperceivedtheprovidential，divineandhumansenseofthegreatthingswhichhehadbeentaughttodetest，andofthegreatmenwhomhehadbeeninstructedtocurse。Whenhereflectedonhisformeropinions，whichwerebutthoseofyesterday，andwhich，nevertheless，seemedtohimalreadysoveryancient，hegrewindignant，yethesmiled。
　　Fromtherehabilitationofhisfather，henaturallypassedtotherehabilitationofNapoleon。
　　Butthelatter，wewillconfess，wasnoteffectedwithoutlabor。
　　Fromhisinfancy，hehadbeenimbuedwiththejudgmentsofthepartyof1814，onBonaparte。Now，alltheprejudicesoftheRestoration，allitsinterests，allitsinstinctstendedtodisfigureNapoleon。
　　ItexecratedhimevenmorethanitdidRobespierre。Ithadverycleverlyturnedtosufficientlygoodaccountthefatigueofthenation，andthehatredofmothers。Bonapartehadbecomeanalmostfabulousmonster，andinordertopainthimtotheimaginationofthepeople，which，aswelatelypointedout，resemblestheimaginationofchildren，thepartyof1814madehimappearunderallsortsofterrifyingmasksinsuccession，fromthatwhichisterriblethoughitremainsgrandiosetothatwhichisterribleandbecomesgrotesque，fromTiberiustothebugaboo。Thus，inspeakingofBonaparte，onewasfreetosobortopuffupwithlaughter，providedthathatredlayatthebottom。Mariushadneverentertained——
　　aboutthatman，ashewascalled——anyotherideasinhismind。
　　Theyhadcombinedwiththetenacitywhichexistedinhisnature。
　　TherewasinhimaheadstronglittlemanwhohatedNapoleon。
　　Onreadinghistory，onstudyinghim，especiallyinthedocumentsandmaterialsforhistory，theveilwhichconcealedNapoleonfromtheeyesofMariuswasgraduallyrent。Hecaughtaglimpseofsomethingimmense，andhesuspectedthathehadbeendeceiveduptothatmoment，onthescoreofBonaparteasaboutalltherest；
　　eachdayhesawmoredistinctly；andhesetaboutmounting，slowly，stepbystep，almostregretfullyinthebeginning，thenwithintoxicationandasthoughattractedbyanirresistiblefascination，firstthesombresteps，thenthevaguelyilluminatedsteps，atlasttheluminousandsplendidstepsofenthusiasm。
　　Onenight，hewasaloneinhislittlechamberneartheroof。
　　Hiscandlewasburning；hewasreading，withhiselbowsrestingonhistableclosetotheopenwindow。Allsortsofreveriesreachedhimfromspace，andmingledwithhisthoughts。Whataspectacleisthenight！Onehearsdullsounds，withoutknowingwhencetheyproceed；
　　onebeholdsJupiter，whichistwelvehundredtimeslargerthantheearth，glowinglikeafirebrand，theazureisblack，thestarsshine；
　　itisformidable。
　　Hewasperusingthebulletinsofthegrandarmy，thoseheroicstrophespennedonthefieldofbattle；there，atintervals，hebeheldhisfather’sname，alwaysthenameoftheEmperor；
　　thewholeofthatgreatEmpirepresenteditselftohim；hefeltafloodswellingandrisingwithinhim；itseemedtohimatmomentsthathisfatherpassedclosetohimlikeabreath，andwhisperedinhisear；hegraduallygotintoasingularstate；hethoughtthathehearddrums，cannon，trumpets，themeasuredtreadofbattalions，thedullanddistantgallopofthecavalry；fromtimetotime，hiseyeswereraisedheavenward，andgazeduponthecolossalconstellationsastheygleamedinthemeasurelessdepthsofspace，thentheyfelluponhisbookoncemore，andtheretheybeheldothercolossalthingsmovingconfusedly。Hisheartcontractedwithinhim。
　　Hewasinatransport，trembling，panting。Allatonce，withouthimselfknowingwhatwasinhim，andwhatimpulsehewasobeying，hesprangtohisfeet，stretchedbotharmsoutofthewindow，gazedintentlyintothegloom，thesilence，theinfinitedarkness，theeternalimmensity，andexclaimed:"LonglivetheEmperor！"
　　Fromthatmomentforth，allwasover；theOgreofCorsica，——