第1章

ItissomewhatremarkablethatBalzac，dealingashedidwithtraitsofcharacterandtheminuteanddailycircumstancesoflife，hasneverbeenaccusedofrepresentingactualpersonsinthetwoorthreethousandportraitswhichhepaintedofhumannature。

In”TheGreatManoftheProvincesinParis”somelikenesseswereimagined:JulesJanininEtienneLousteau，ArmandCarrelinMichelChrestien，and，possibly，BerryerinDanield’Arthez。Butinthepresentvolume，”Beatrix，”heusedthecharacteristicsofcertainpersons，whichwererecognizedandadmittedatthetimeofpublication。MademoiselledesTouches(CamilleMaupin)isGeorgeSandincharacter，andthepersonaldescriptionofher，thoughappliedbysometothefamousMademoiselleGeorges，iseasilyrecognizedfromCouture’sdrawing。Beatrix，Conti，andClaudeVignonaresketchesoftheComtessed’Agoult，Liszt，andthewell-

knowncriticGustavePlanche。

Theopeningsceneofthisvolume，representingthemannersandcustomsoftheoldBretonfamily，asocialstateexistingnolongerexceptinhistory，andthetransitionperiodofthe/vieilleroche/asitpassedintothecustomsandideasofthepresentcentury，isoneofBalzac’sremarkableandmostfamouspicturesinthe”ComedyofHumanLife。”

K。P。W。

BEATRIX

I

ABRETONTOWNANDMANSION

France，especiallyinBrittany，stillpossessescertaintownscompletelyoutsideofthemovementwhichgivestothenineteenthcenturyitspeculiarcharacteristics。ForlackofquickandregularcommunicationwithParis，scarcelyconnectedbywretchedroadswiththesub-prefecture，orthechiefcityoftheirownprovince，thesetownsregardthenewcivilizationasaspectacletobegazedat；itamazesthem，buttheyneverapplaudit；and，whethertheyfearorscoffatit，theycontinuefaithfultotheoldmannersandcustomswhichhavecomedowntothem。Whosowouldtravelasamoralarchaeologist，observingmeninsteadofstones，wouldfindimagesofthetimeofLouisXV。inmanyavillageofProvence，ofthetimeofLouisXIV。inthedepthsofPitou，andofstillmoreancienttimesinthetownsofBrittany。Mostofthesetownshavefallenfromstatesofsplendornevermentionedbyhistorians，whoarealwaysmoreconcernedwithfactsanddatesthanwiththetruerhistoryofmannersandcustoms。Thetraditionofthissplendorstilllivesinthememoryofthepeople，——asinBrittany，wherethenativecharacterallowsnoforgetfulnessofthingswhichconcernitsownland。ManyofthesetownswereoncethecapitalsofalittlefeudalState，——acountyorduchyconqueredbythecrownordividedamongmanyheirs，ifthemalelinefailed。Disinheritedfromactivelife，theseheadsbecamearms；

andarmsdeprivedofnourishment，witherandbarelyvegetate。

Forthelastthirtyyears，however，thesepicturesofancienttimesarebeginningtofadeanddisappear。Modernindustry，workingforthemasses，goesondestroyingthecreationsofancientart，theworksofwhichwereonceaspersonaltotheconsumerastotheartisan。

Nowadayswehave/products/，wenolongerhave/works/。Publicbuildings，monumentsofthepast，countformuchinthephenomenaofretrospection；butthemonumentsofmodernindustryarefreestonequarries，saltpetremines，cottonfactories。Afewmoreyearsandeventheseoldcitieswillbetransformedandseennomoreexceptinthepagesofthisiconography。

OneofthetownsinwhichmaybefoundthemostcorrectlikenessofthefeudalagesisGuerande。Thenamealoneawakensathousandmemoriesinthemindsofpainters，artists，thinkerswhohavevisitedtheslopesonwhichthissplendidjeweloffeudalityliesproudlyposedtocommandthefluxandrefluxofthetidesandthedunes，——thesummit，asitwere，ofatriangle，atthecornersofwhicharetwootherjewelsnotlesscurious:Croisic，andthevillageofBatz。TherearenotownsafterGuerandeexceptVitreinthecentreofBrittany，andAvignoninthesouthofFrance，whichpreservesointact，totheverymiddleofourepoch，thetypeandformofthemiddleages。

Guerandeisstillencircledwithitsdoughtywalls，itsmoatsarefullofwater，itsbattlementsentire，itsloopholesunencumberedwithvegetation；evenivyhasnevercastitsmantleoverthetowers，squareorround。Thetownhasthreegates，wheremaybeseentheringsoftheportcullises；itisenteredbyadrawbridgeofiron-clampedwood，nolongerraisedbutwhichcouldberaisedatwill。Themayoraltywasblamedforhaving，in1820，plantedpoplarsalongthebanksofthemoattoshadethepromenade。Itexcuseditselfonthegroundthatthelongandbeautifulesplanadeofthefortificationsfacingtheduneshadbeenconvertedonehundredyearsearlierintoamallwheretheinhabitantstooktheirpleasurebeneaththeelms。

Thehousesoftheoldtownhavesufferednochange；andtheyhaveneitherincreasednordiminished。Nonehavesufferedupontheirfrontagefromthehammerofthearchitect，thebrushoftheplasterer，norhavetheystaggeredundertheweightofaddedstories。Allretaintheirprimitivecharacteristics。Somerestonwoodencolumnswhichformarcadesunderwhichfoot-passengerscirculate，thefloorplanksbendingbeneaththem，butneverbreaking。Thehousesofthemerchantsaresmallandlow；theirfrontsareveneeredwithslate。Wood，nowdecaying，countsformuchinthecarvedmaterialofthewindow-casingsandthepillars，abovewhichgrotesquefaceslookdown，whileshapesoffantasticbeastsclimbuptheangles，animatedbythatgreatthoughtofArt，whichinthoseolddaysgavelifetoinanimatenature。

Theserelics，resistingchange，presenttotheeyeofpaintersthoseduskytonesandhalf-blurredfeaturesinwhichtheartisticbrushdelights。

Thestreetsarewhattheywerefourhundredyearsago，——withoneexception；populationnolongerswarmsthere；thesocialmovementisnowsodeadthatatravellerwishingtoexaminethetown(asbeautifulasasuitofantiquearmor)maywalkalone，notwithoutsadness，throughadesertedstreet，wherethemullionedwindowsareplastereduptoavoidthewindow-tax。Thisstreetendsatapostern，flankedwithawallofmasonry，beyondwhichrisesabouquetoftreesplantedbythehandsofBretonnature，oneofthemostluxuriantandfertilevegetationsinFrance。Apainter，apoetwouldsittheresilently，totastethequietudewhichreignsbeneaththewell-preservedarchofthepostern，wherenovoicecomesfromthelifeofthepeacefulcity，andwherethelandscapeisseeninitsrichmagnificencethroughtheloop-

holesofthecasematesonceoccupiedbyhalberdiersandarchers，whicharenotunlikethesashesofsomebelvederearrangedforapointofview。

Itisimpossibletowalkabouttheplacewithoutthinkingateverystepofthehabitsandusagesoflong-pasttimes；theverystonestellofthem；theideasofthemiddleagesarestilltherewithalltheirancientsuperstitions。If，bychance，agendarmepassesyou，withhissilver-lacedhat，hispresenceisananachronismagainstwhichyoursenseoffitnessprotests；butnothingissorareastomeetabeingoranobjectofthepresenttime。Thereisevenverylittleoftheclothingoftheday；andthatlittletheinhabitantsadaptinawaytotheirimmutablecustoms，theirunchangeablephysiognomies。ThepublicsquareisfilledwithBretoncostumes，whichartistsflocktodraw；

thesestandoutinwonderfulreliefuponthescenearoundthem。Thewhitenessofthelinenwornbythe/paludiers/(thenamegiventomenwhogathersaltinthesalt-marshes)contrastsvigorouslywiththebluesandbrownsofthepeasantryandtheoriginalandsacredlypreservedjewelryofthewomen。Thesetwoclasses，andthatofthesailorsintheirjerkinsandvarnishedleathercapsareasdistinctfromoneanotherasthecastesofIndia，andstillrecognizethedistancethatpartsthemfromthebourgeoisie，thenobility，andtheclergy。Alllinesareclearlymarked；theretherevolutionarylevelfoundthemassestooruggedandtoohardtoplane；itsinstrumentwouldhavebeennotched，ifnotbroken。ThecharacterofimmutabilitywhichsciencegivestozoologicalspeciesisfoundinBretonhumannature。Evennow，aftertheRevolutionof1830，Guerandeisstillatownapart，essentiallyBreton，ferventlyCatholic，silent，self-

contained，——aplacewheremodernideashavelittleaccess。

Itsgeographicalpositionexplainsthisphenomenon。Theprettytownoverlooksasalt-marsh，theproductofwhichiscalledthroughoutBrittanytheGuerandesalt，towhichmanyBretonsattributetheexcellenceoftheirbutterandtheirsardines。ItisconnectedwiththerestofFrancebytworoadsonly:thatcomingfromSavenay，thearrondissementtowhichitbelongs，whichstopsatSaint-Nazaire；andasecondroad，leadingfromVannes，whichconnectsitwiththeMorbihan。Thearrondissementroadestablishescommunicationbyland，andfromSaint-Nazairebywater，withNantes。Thelandroadisusedonlybygovernment；themorerapidandmorefrequentedwaybeingbywaterfromSaint-Nazaire。Now，betweenthisvillageandGuerandeisadistanceofeighteenmiles。whichthemail-coachdoesnotserve，andforgoodreason；notthreecoachpassengersayearwouldpassoverit。

These，andotherobstacles，littlefittedtoencouragetravellers，stillexist。Inthefirstplace，governmentisslowinitsproceedings；andnext，theinhabitantsoftheregionputupreadilyenoughwithdifficultieswhichseparatethemfromtherestofFrance。

Guerande，therefore，beingattheextremeendofthecontinent，leadsnowhere，andnoonecomesthere。Gladtobeignored，shethinksandcaresaboutherselfonly。Theimmenseproductofhersalt-marshes，whichpaysataxofnotlessthanamilliontotheTreasury，ischieflymanagedatCroisic，apeninsularvillagewhichcommunicateswithGuerandeoverquicksands，whicheffaceduringthenightthetracksmadebyday，andalsobyboatswhichcrossthearmoftheseathatmakestheportofCroisic。

ThisfascinatinglittletownisthereforetheHerculaneumoffeudality，lessitswindingsheetoflava。Itisafoot，butnotliving；ithasnoothergroundofexistenceexceptthatithasnotbeendemolished。IfyoureachGuerandefromCroisic，aftercrossingadrearylandscapeofsalt-marshes，youwillexperienceastrongsensationatsightofthatvastfortification，whichisstillasgoodasever。IfyoucometoitbySaint-Nazaire，thepicturesquenessofitspositionandthenaivegraceofitsenvironswillpleaseyounoless。Thecountryimmediatelysurroundingitisravishing；thehedgesarefullofflowers，honeysuckles，roses，box，andmanyenchantingplants。ItislikeanEnglishgarden，designedbysomegreatarchitect。Thisrich，coynature，sountrodden，withallthegraceofabunchofvioletsoralilyofthevalleyinthegladeofaforest，isframedbyanAfricandesertbankedbytheocean，——adesertwithoutatree，anherb，abird；where，onsunnydays，thelaboring/paludiers/，clothedinwhiteandscatteredamongthosemelancholyswampswherethesaltismade，remindusofArabsintheirburrows。

ThusGuerandebearsnoresemblancetoanyotherplaceinFrance。Thetownproducessomewhatthesameeffectuponthemindasasleeping-

draughtuponthebody。ItissilentasVenice。Thereisnootherpublicconveyancethanthespringlesswagonofacarrierwhocarriestravellers，merchandise，andoccasionallylettersfromSaint-NazairetoGuerandeand/viceversa/。Bernus，thecarrier，was，in1829，thefactotumofthislargecommunity。Hewentandcamewhenhepleased；

allthecountryknewhim；andhedidtheerrandsofall。ThearrivalofacarriageinGuerande，thatofaladyorsomeinvalidgoingtoCroisicforsea-bathing(thoughttohavegreatervirtueamongthoserocksthanatBoulogneorDieppe)isstillanimmenseevent。Thepeasantscomeinonhorseback，mostofthemwithcommoditiesforbarterinsacks。Theyareinducedtodoso(andsoarethe/paludiers/)bythenecessityofpurchasingthejewelsdistinctiveoftheircastewhicharegiventoallBretonbrides，andthewhitelinen，orclothfortheirclothing。

Foracircuittenmilesround，GuerandeisalwaysGUERANDE，——theillustrioustownwherethefamoustreatywassignedin1365，thekeyofthecoast，whichmayboast，notlessthanthevillageofBatz，ofasplendornowlostinthenightoftime。Thejewels，linen，cloth，ribbon，andhatsaremadeelsewhere，buttothosewhobuythemtheyarefromGuerandeandnowhereelse。Allartists，andevencertainbourgeois，whocometoGuerandefeel，astheydoatVenice，adesire(soonforgotten)toendtheirdaysamiditspeaceandsilence，walkinginfineweatheralongthebeautifulmallwhichsurroundsthetownfromgatetogateonthesidetowardthesea。Sometimestheimageofthistownarisesinthetempleofmemory；sheenters，crownedwithhertowers，claspedwithhergirdle；herflower-strewnrobefloatsonward，thegoldenmantleofherdunesenfoldsher，thefragrantbreathofherbrionypaths，filledwiththeflowersofeachpassingseason，exhalesateverystep；shefillsyourmind，shecallstoyoulikesomeenchantingwomanwhomyouhavemetinotherclimesandwhosepresencestilllingersinafoldofyourheart。

NearthechurchofGuerandestandsamansionwhichistothetownwhatthetownistotheregion，anexactimageofthepast，thesymbolofagrandthingdestroyed，——apoem，inshort。Thismansionbelongstothenoblestfamilyoftheprovince；totheduGuaisnics，who，inthetimesoftheduGuesclins，wereassuperiortothelatterinantiquityandfortuneastheTrojansweretotheRomans。TheGuaisqlains(thenameisalsospelledintheoldentimeduGlaicquin)，fromwhichcomesduGuesclin，issuedfromtheduGuaisnics。

OldasthegraniteofBrittany，theGuaisnicsareneitherFrenchmennorGauls，——theyareBretons；or，tobemoreexact，theyareCelts。

Formerly，theymusthavebeenDruids，gatheringmistletoeinthesacredforestsandsacrificingmenupontheirdolmens。Uselesstosaywhattheywere！To-daythisrace，equaltotheRohanswithouthavingdeignedtomakethemselvesprinces，aracewhichwaspowerfulbeforetheancestorsofHuguesCapetwereeverheardof，thisfamily，pureofallalloy，possessestwothousandfrancsayear，itsmansioninGuerande，andthelittlecastleofGuaisnic。AllthelandsbelongingtothebaronyofGuaisnic，thefirstinBrittany，arepledgedtofarmers，andbringinsixtythousandfrancsayear，inspiteofignorantculture。TheduGaisnicsremaintheownersoftheselandsalthoughtheyreceivenoneoftherevenues，forthereasonthatforthelasttwohundredyearstheyhavebeenunabletopayoffthemoneyadvanceduponthem。TheyareinthepositionofthecrownofFrancetowardsits/engagistes/(tenantsofcrown-lands)beforetheyear1789。Whereandwhencouldthebaronsobtainthemilliontheirfarmershaveadvancedtothem？Before1789thetenureofthefiefssubjecttothecastleofGuaisnicwasstillworthfiftythousandfrancsayear；

butavoteoftheNationalAssemblysuppressedtheseigneurs’duesleviedoninheritance。

Insuchasituationthisfamily——ofabsolutelynoaccountinFrance，andwhichwouldbeasubjectoflaughterinParis，wereitknownthere——istoGuerandethewholeofBrittany。InGuerandetheBaronduGuaisnicisoneofthegreatbaronsofFrance，amanabovewhomthereisbutoneman，——theKingofFrance，onceelectedruler。To-daythenameofduGuaisnic，fullofBretonsignificances(therootsofwhichwillbefoundexplainedin”TheChouans”)hasbeensubjectedtothesamealterationwhichdisfiguresthatofduGuaisqlain。Thetax-

gatherernowwritesthename，asdotherestoftheworld，duGuenic。

Attheendofasilent，damp，andgloomylanemaybeseenthearchofadoor，orrathergate，highenoughandwideenoughtoadmitamanonhorseback，——acircumstancewhichprovesofitselfthatwhenthisbuildingwaserectedcarriagesdidnotexist。Thearch，supportedbytwojambs，isofgranite。Thegate，ofoak，ruggedasthebarkofthetreeitself，isstuddedwithenormousnailsplacedingeometricfigures。Thearchissemicircular。OnitarecarvedthearmsoftheGuaisnicsasclean-cutandclearasthoughthesculptorhadjustlaiddownhischisel。Thisescutcheonwoulddelightaloveroftheheraldicartbyasimplicitywhichprovestheprideandtheantiquityofthefamily。ItisasitwasinthedayswhenthecrusadersoftheChristianworldinventedthesesymbolsbywhichtorecognizeeachother；theGuaisnicshaveneverhaditquartered；itisalwaysitself，likethatofthehouseofFrance，whichconnoisseursfindinescutcheonedintheshieldsofmanyoftheoldfamilies。Hereitis，suchasyoumayseeitstillatGuerande:Gules，ahandpropergonfalonedermine，withaswordargentinpale，andtheterriblemotto，FAC。Isnotthatagrandandnoblething？Thecircletofabaronialcoronetsurmountsthissimpleescutcheon，theverticallinesofwhich，usedincarvingtorepresentgules，areclearasever。TheartisthasgivenIknownotwhatproud，chivalrousturntothehand。

Withwhatvigoritholdstheswordwhichservedbutrecentlythepresentfamily！

IfyougotoGuerandeafterreadingthishistoryyoucannotfailtoquiverwhenyouseethatblazon。Yes，themostconfirmedrepublicanwouldbemovedbythefidelity，thenobleness，thegrandeurhiddeninthedepthsofthatdarklane。TheduGuaisnicsdidwellyesterday，andtheyarereadytodowellto-morrow。ToDOisthemottoofchivalry。”Youdidwellinthebattle”wasthepraiseoftheConnetable/parexcellence/，thegreatduGuesclinwhodrovetheEnglishforatimefromFrance。Thedepthofthiscarving，whichhasbeenprotectedfromtheweatherbytheprojectingedgesofthearch，isinkeepingwiththemoraldepthofthemottointhesoulofthisfamily。TothosewhoknowtheGuaisnicsthisfactistouching。

Thegatewhenopengivesavistaintoasomewhatvastcourt-yard，ontherightofwhicharethestables，ontheleftthekitchenandoffices。Thehouseisbuildoffreestonefromcellartogarret。Thefacadeonthecourt-yardhasaporticowithadoublerangeofsteps，thewallofwhichiscoveredwithvestigesofcarvingsnoweffacedbytime，butinwhichtheeyeofanantiquarycanstillmakeoutinthecentreoftheprincipalmasstheHandbearingthesword。Thegranitestepsarenowdisjointed，grasseshaveforcedtheirwaywithlittleflowersandmossesthroughthefissuresbetweenthestoneswhichcenturieshavedisplacedwithouthoweverlesseningtheirsolidity。Thedoorofthehousemusthavehadacharmingcharacter。Asfarastherelicsoftheolddesignsallowustojudge，itwasdonebyanartistofthegreatVenetianschoolofthethirteenthcentury。Hereisamixture，stillvisible，oftheByzantineandtheSaracenic。Itiscrownedwithacircularpediment，nowwreathedwithvegetation，——abouquet，rose，brown，yellow，orblue，accordingtotheseason。Thedoor，ofoak，nail-studded，givesentrancetoanoblehall，attheendofwhichisanotherdoor，openinguponanotherporticowhichleadstothegarden。

Thishallismarvellouslywellpreserved。Thepanelledwainscot，aboutthreefeethigh，isofchestnut。AmagnificentSpanishleatherwithfiguresinrelief，thegildingnowpeeledofforreddened，coversthewalls。Theceilingisofwoodenboardsartisticallyjoinedandpaintedandgilded。Thegoldisscarcelynoticeable；itisinthesameconditionasthatoftheCordovaleather，butafewredflowersandthegreenfoliagecanbedistinguished。PerhapsathoroughcleaningmightbringoutpaintingslikethosediscoveredontheplankceilingsofTristan’shouseatTours。Ifso，itwouldprovethatthoseplankswereplacedorrestoredinthereignofLouisXI。Thechimney-pieceisenormous，ofcarvedstone，andwithinitaregiganticandironsinwrought-ironofpreciousworkmanship。Itcouldholdacart-loadofwood。Thefurnitureofthishalliswhollyofoak，eacharticlebearinguponitthearmsofthefamily。ThreeEnglishgunsequallysuitableforchaseorwar，threesabres，twogame-bags，theutensilsofahuntsmanandafishermanhangfromnailsuponthewall。

Ononesideisadining-room，whichconnectswiththekitchenbyadoorcutthroughacornertower。Thistowercorrespondsinthedesignofthefacadetowardthecourt-yardwithanothertowerattheoppositecorner，inwhichisaspiralstaircaseleadingtothetwoupperstories。

Thedining-roomishungwithtapestriesofthefourteenthcentury；thestyleandtheorthographyoftheinscriptiononthebanderolsbeneatheachfigureprovetheirage，butbeing，astheyare，inthenaivelanguageofthe/fabliaux/，itisimpossibletotranscribethemhere。

Thesetapestries，wellpreservedinthosepartswherelighthasscarcelypenetrated，areframedinbandsofoaknowblackasebony。

Theceilinghasprojectingraftersenrichedwithfoliagewhichisvariedforeachrafter；thespacebetweenthemisfilledwithplankspaintedblue，onwhichtwinegarlandsofgoldenflowers。Twooldbuffersfaceeachother；ontheirshelves，rubbedwithBretonpersistencybyMariottethecook，canbeseen，asinthedayswhenkingswereaspoorin1200astheduGuaisnicsarein1830，fouroldgoblets，anancientembossedsoup-tureen，andtwosalt-cellars，allofsilver；alsomanypewterplatesandmanypitchersofgrayandbluepottery，bearingarabesquedesignsandthearmsoftheduGuaisnics，coveredbyhingedpewterlids。Thechimney-pieceismodernized。Itsconditionprovesthatthefamilyhaslivedinthisroomforthelastcentury。ItisofcarvedstoneinthestyleoftheLouisXV。period，andisornamentedwithamirror，letintothebackwithgiltbeadedmoulding。Thisanachronism，towhichthefamilyisindifferent，wouldgrieveapoet。Onthemantel-shelf，coveredwithredvelvet，isatallclockoftortoise-shellinlaidwithbrass，flankedoneachsidewithasilvercandelabrumofsingulardesign。Alargesquaretable，withsolidlegs，fillsthecentreofthisroom；thechairsareofturnedwoodcoveredwithtapestry。Onaroundtablesupportedbyasinglelegmadeintheshapeofavine-shoot，whichstandsbeforeawindowlookingintothegarden，isalampofanoddkind。Thislamphasacommonglassglobe，aboutthesizeofanostrichegg，whichisfastenedintoacandle-stickbyaglasstube。Throughaholeatthetopoftheglobeissuesawickwhichpassesthroughasortofreedofbrass，drawingthenut-oilheldintheglobethroughitsownlengthcoiledlikeatape-worminasurgeon’sphial。Thewindowswhichlookintothegarden，likethosethatlookuponthecourt-yard，aremullionedinstonewithhexagonalleadedpanes，andaredrapedbycurtains，withheavyvalancesandstoutcords，ofanancientstuffofcrimsonsilkwithgoldreflections，calledinformerdayseitherbrocatelleorsmallbrocade。

Oneachofthetwoupperstoriesofthehousetherearebuttworooms。

Thefirstisthebedroomoftheheadofthefamily，thesecondisthatofthechildren。Guestswerelodgedinchambersbeneaththeroof。Theservantssleptabovethekitchensandstables。Thepointedroof，protectedwithleadatitsanglesandedges，hasanoblepointedwindowoneachside，onelookingdownuponthecourt-yard，theotheronthegarden。Thesewindows，risingalmosttotheleveloftheroof，haveslender，delicatecasings，thecarvingsofwhichhavecrumbledunderthesaltyvaporsoftheatmosphere。Abovethearchofeachwindowwithitscrossbarsofstone，stillgrinds，asitturns，thevaneofanoble。

Letusnotforgetapreciousdetail，fullofnaivete，whichwillbeofvalueintheeyesofanarchaeologist。Thetowerinwhichthespiralstaircasegoesupisplacedatthecornerofagreatgablewallinwhichthereisnowindow。Thestaircasecomesdowntoalittlearcheddoor，openinguponagravelledyardwhichseparatesthehousefromthestables。Thistowerisrepeatedonthegardensidebyanotheroffivesides，endinginacupolainwhichisabell-turret，insteadofbeingroofed，likethesister-tower，withapepper-pot。Thisishowthosecharmingarchitectsvariedthesymmetryoftheirsky-lines。Thesetowersareconnectedonthelevelofthefirstfloorbyastonegallery，supportedbywhatwemustcallbrackets，eachendinginagrotesquehumanhead。Thisgalleryhasabalustradeofexquisiteworkmanship。Fromthegableabovedependsastonedaislikethosethatcrownthestatuesofsaintsattheportalofchurches。CanyounotseeawomanwalkinginthemorningalongthisbalconyandgazingoverGuerandeatthesunshine，whereitgildsthesandsandshimmersonthebreastofOcean？Doyounotadmirethatgablewallflankedatitsangleswiththosevariedtowers？TheoppositegableoftheGuaisnicmansionadjoinsthenexthouse。Theharmonysocarefullysoughtbythearchitectsofthosedaysismaintainedinthefacadelookingonthecourt-yardbythetowerwhichcommunicatesbetweenthedining-roomandthekitchen，andisthesameasthestaircasetower，exceptthatitstopsatthefirstupperstoryanditssummitisasmallopendome，beneathwhichstandsanowblackenedstatueofSaintCalyste。

Thegardenismagnificentforsooldaplace。Itcovershalfanacreofground，itswallsareallespaliered，andthespacewithinisdividedintosquaresforvegetables，borderedwithcordonsoffruit-

trees，whichtheman-of-all-work，namedGasselin，takescareofintheintervalsofgroomingthehorses。Atthefartherendofthegardenisagrottowithaseatinit；inthemiddle，asun-dial；thepathsaregravelled。Thefacadeonthegardensidehasnotowerscorrespondingtothoseonthecourt-yard；butaslenderspiralcolumnrisesfromthegroundtotheroof，whichmustinformerdayshavebornethebannerofthefamily，foratitssummitmaystillbeseenanironsocket，fromwhichafewweakplantsarestraggling。Thisdetail，inharmonywiththevestigesofsculpture，provestoapractisedeyethatthemansionwasbuiltbyaVenetianarchitect。ThegracefulstaffislikeasignaturerevealingVenice，chivalry，andtheexquisitedelicacyofthethirteenthcentury。Ifanydoubtsremainedonthispoint，afeatureoftheornamentationwoulddissipatethem。ThetrefoilsofthehotelduGuaisnichavefourleavesinsteadofthree。ThisdifferenceplainlyindicatestheVenetianschooldepravedbyitscommercewiththeEast，wherethesemi-Saracenicarchitects，carelessofthegreatCatholicthought，givefourleavestoclover，whileChristianartisfaithfultotheTrinity。InthisrespectVenetianartbecomesheretical。

Ifthisancientdwellingattractsyourimagination，youmayperhapsaskyourselfwhysuchmiraclesofartarenotrenewedinthepresentday。Becauseto-daymansionsaresold，pulleddown，andthegroundtheystoodonturnedintostreets。Noonecanbesurethatthenextgenerationwillpossessthepaternaldwelling；homesarenomorethaninns；whereasinformertimeswhenadwellingwasbuiltmenworked，orthoughttheyworked，forafamilyinperpetuity。Hencethegrandeurofthesehouses。Faithinself，aswellasfaithinGod，didprodigies。

Asforthearrangementoftheupperroomstheymaybeimaginedafterthisdescriptionoftheground-floor，andafterreadinganaccountofthemanners，customs，andphysiognomyofthefamily。ForthelastfiftyyearstheduGuaisnicshavereceivedtheirfriendsinthetworoomsjustdescribed，inwhich，asinthecourt-yardandtheexternalaccessoriesofthebuilding，thespirit，grace，andcandoroftheoldandnobleBrittanystillsurvives。Withoutthetopographyanddescriptionofthetown，andwithoutthisminutedepictingofthehouse，thesurprisingfiguresofthefamilymightbelessunderstood。

Thereforetheframeshaveprecededtheportraits。Everyoneisawarethatthingsinfluencebeings。Therearepublicbuildingswhoseeffectisvisibleuponthepersonslivingintheirneighborhood。ItwouldbedifficultindeedtobeirreligiousintheshadowofacathedrallikethatofBourges。Whenthesouliseverywhereremindedofitsdestinybysurroundingimages，itislesseasytofailofit。Suchwasthethoughtofourimmediategrandfathers，abandonedbyagenerationwhichwassoontohavenosignsandnodistinctions，andwhosemannersandmoralsweretochangeeverydecade。IfyoudonotnowexpecttofindtheBaronduGuaisnicswordinhand，allherewrittenwouldbefalsehood。

II

THEBARON，HISWIFE，ANDSISTER

EarlyinthemonthofMay，intheyear1836，theperiodwhenthissceneopens，thefamilyofGuenic(wefollowhenceforththemodernspelling)consistedofMonsieurandMadameduGuenic，MademoiselleduGuenicthebaron’seldersister，andanonlyson，agedtwenty-one，named，afteranancientfamilyusage，Gaudebert-Calyste-Louis。Thefather’snamewasGaudebert-Calyste-Charles。Onlythelastnamewasevervaried。SaintGaudebertandSaintCalystewereforeverboundtoprotecttheGuenics。

TheBaronduGuenichadstartedfromGuerandethemomentthatLaVendeeandBrittanytookarms；hefoughtthroughthewarwithCharette，withCathelineau，LaRochejaquelein，d’Elbee，Bonchamps，andthePrincedeLoudon。Beforestartinghehad，withaprudenceuniqueinrevolutionaryannals，soldhiswholepropertyofeverykindtohiselderandonlysister，MademoiselleZephirineduGuenic。AfterthedeathofallthoseheroesoftheWest，thebaron，preservedbyamiraclefromendingastheydid，refusedtosubmittoNapoleon。Hefoughtontill1802，whenbeingatlastdefeatedandalmostcaptured，hereturnedtoGuerande，andfromGuerandewenttoCroisic，whencehecrossedtoIreland，faithfultotheancientBretonhatredforEngland。

ThepeopleofGuerandefeignedutterignoranceofthebaron’sexistence。Inthewholecourseoftwentyyearsnotasingleindiscreetwordwaseveruttered。MademoiselleduGuenicreceivedtherentsandsentthemtoherbrotherbyfishermen。MonsieurduGuenicreturnedtoGuerandein1813，asquietlyandsimplyasifhehadmerelypassedaseasonatNantes。DuringhisstayinDublintheoldBreton，despitehisfiftyyears，hadfalleninlovewithacharmingIrishwoman，daughterofoneofthenoblestandpoorestfamiliesofthatunhappykingdom。FannyO’Brienwasthentwenty-oneyearsold。TheBaronduGueniccameovertoFrancetoobtainthedocumentsnecessaryforhismarriage，returnedtoIreland，and，afterabouttenmonths(atthebeginningof1814)，broughthiswifetoGuerande，whereshegavehimCalysteontheverydaythatLouisXVIII。landedatCalais，——acircumstancewhichexplainstheyoungman’sfinalnameofLouis。

TheoldandloyalBretonwasnowamanofseventy-three；buthislong-

continuedguerillawarfarewiththeRepublic，hisexile，theperilsofhisfivecrossingsthroughaturbulentseainopenboats，hadweigheduponhishead，andhelookedahundred；therefore，atnoperiodhadthechiefofthehouseofGuenicbeenmoreinkeepingwiththeworn-

outgrandeuroftheirdwelling，builtinthedayswhenacourtreignedatGuerande。

MonsieurduGuenicwasatall，straight，wiry，leanoldman。Hisovalfacewaslinedwithinnumerablewrinkles，whichformedanet-workoverhischeek-bonesandabovehiseyebrows，givingtohisfacearesemblancetothosechoiceoldmenwhomVanOstade，Rembrandt，Mieris，andGerardDowsolovedtopaint，inpictureswhichneedamicroscopetobefullyappreciated。Hiscountenancemightbesaidtobesunkenoutofsightbeneaththoseinnumerablewrinkles，producedbyalifeintheopenairandbythehabitofwatchinghiscountryinthefulllightofthesunfromtherisingofthatluminarytothesinkingofit。Nevertheless，toanobserverenoughremainedoftheimperishableformsofthehumanfacewhichappealedtothesoul，eventhoughtheeyecouldseenomorethanalifelesshead。Thefirmoutlineoftheface，theshapeofthebrow，thesolemnityofthelines，therigidityofthenose，theformofthebonystructurewhichwoundsalonehadslightlyaltered，——allweresignsofintrepiditywithoutcalculation，faithwithoutreserve，obediencewithoutdiscussion，fidelitywithoutcompromise，lovewithoutinconstancy。Inhim，theBretongranitewasmademan。

Thebaronhadnolongeranyteeth。Hislips，oncered，nowviolet，andbackedbyhardgumsonly(withwhichheatethebreadhiswifetookcaretosoftenbyfoldingitdailyinadampnapkin)，drewinwardtothemouthwithasortofgrin，whichgavehimanexpressionboththreateningandproud。Hischinseemedtoseekhisnose；butinthatnose，humpedinthemiddle，laythesignsofhisenergyandhisBretonresistance。Hisskin，marbledwithredblotchesappearingthroughhiswrinkles，showedapowerfullysanguinetemperament，fittedtoresistfatigueandtopreservehim，asnodoubtitdid，fromapoplexy。Theheadwascrownedwithabundanthair，aswhiteassilver，whichfellincurlsuponhisshoulders。Theface，extinguished，aswehavesaid，inpart，livedthroughtheglitteroftheblackeyesintheirbrownorbits，castingthencethelastflamesofagenerousandloyalsoul。

Theeyebrowsandlasheshaddisappeared；theskin，grownhard，couldnotunwrinkle。Thedifficultyofshavinghadobligedtheoldmantolethisbeardgrow，andthecutofitwasfan-shaped。AnartistwouldhaveadmiredbeyondallelseinthisoldlionofBrittanywithhispowerfulshouldersandvigorouschest，thesplendidhandsofthesoldier，——handslikethoseduGuesclinmusthavehad，large，broad，hairy；handsthatoncehadclaspedtheswordnever，likeJoanofArc，torelinquishituntiltheroyalstandardfloatedinthecathedralofRheims；handsthatwereoftenbloodyfromthethornsandfurzeoftheBocage；handswhichhadpulledanoarintheMaraistosurprisetheBlues，orintheoffingtosignalGeorges；thehandsofaguerilla，acannoneer，acommonsolder，aleader；handsstillwhitethoughtheBourbonsoftheElderbranchwereagaininexile。Lookingatthosehandsattentively，onemighthaveseensomerecentmarksattestingthefactthattheBaronhadrecentlyjoinedMADAMEinLaVendee。To-daythatfactmaybeadmitted。ThesehandswerealivingcommentaryonthenoblemottotowhichnoGuenichadprovedrecreant:/Fac！/

Hisforeheadattractedattentionbythegoldentonesofthetemples，contrastingwiththebrowntintsofthehardandnarrowbrow，whichthefallingoffofthehairhadsomewhatbroadened，givingstillmoremajestytothatnobleruin。Thecountenance——alittlematerial，perhaps，buthowcoulditbeotherwise？——presented，likealltheBretonfacesgroupedaboutthebaron，acertainsavagery，astolidcalmwhichresembledtheimpassibilityoftheHuguenots；something，onemightsay，stupid，dueperhapstotheutterreposewhichfollowsextremefatigue，inwhichtheanimalnaturealoneisvisible。Thoughtwasrare。Itseemedtobeaneffort；itsseatwasintheheartmorethaninthehead；itledtoactsratherthanideas。But，examiningthatgrandoldmanwithsustainedobservation，onecouldpenetratethemysteryofthisstrangecontradictiontothespiritofthecentury。Hehadfaiths，sentiments，inbornsotospeak，whichallowedhimtodispensewiththought。Hisduty，lifehadtaughthim。Institutionsandreligionthoughtforhim。Hereservedhismind，heandhiskind，foraction，notdissipatingitonuselessthingswhichoccupiedthemindsofotherpersons。Hedrewhisthoughtfromhisheartlikehisswordfromitsscabbard，holdingitaloftinhiserminedhand，asonhisscutcheon，shiningwithsincerity。Thatsecretoncepenetrated，allisclear。Wecancomprehendthedepthofconvictionsthatarenotthoughts，butlivingprinciples，——clear，distinct，downright，andasimmaculateastheermineitself。Weunderstandthatsalemadetohissisterbeforethewar；whichprovidedforall，andfacedall，death，confiscation，exile。Thebeautyofthecharacterofthesetwooldpeople(forthesisterlivedonlyforandbythebrother)cannotbeunderstoodtoitsfullextentbytherightoftheselfishmorals，theuncertainaims，andtheinconstancyofthisourepoch。Anarchangel，chargedwiththedutyofpenetratingtotheinmostrecessesoftheirheartscouldnothavefoundonethoughtofpersonalinterest。In1814，whentherectorofGuerandesuggestedtothebaronthatheshouldgotoParisandclaimhisrecompensefromthetriumphantBourbons，theoldsister，sosavingandmiserlyforthehousehold，criedout:——”Oh，fy！doesmybrotherneedtoholdouthishandlikeabeggar？””ItwouldbethoughtIservedakingfrominterest，”saidtheoldman。”Besides，itisforhimtoremember。Poorking！hemustbewearyindeedofthosewhoharasshim。IfhegavethemallFranceinbits，theystillwouldask。”

Thisloyalservant，whohadspenthislifeandmeansonLouisXVIII。receivedtherankofcolonel，thecrossofSaint-Louis，andastipendoftwothousandfrancsayear。”Thekingdidremember！”hesaidwhenthenewsreachedhim。

Nooneundeceivedhim。ThegiftwasreallymadebytheDucdeFeltre。

But，asanactofgratitudetotheking，thebaronsustainedasiegeatGuerandeagainsttheforcesofGeneralTravot。Herefusedtosurrenderthefortress，andwhenitwasabsolutelynecessarytoevacuateitheescapedintothewoodswithabandofChouans，whocontinuedarmeduntilthesecondrestorationoftheBourbons。Guerandestilltreasuresthememoryofthatsiege。

WemustadmitthattheBaronduGuenicwasilliterateasapeasant。Hecouldread，write，anddosomelittleciphering；heknewthemilitaryartandheraldry，but，exceptingalwayshisprayer-book，hehadnotreadthreevolumesinthecourseofhislife。Hisclothing，whichisnotaninsignificantpoint，wasinvariablythesame；itconsistedofstoutshoes，ribbedstockings，breechesofgreenishvelveteen，aclothwaistcoat，andaloosecoatwithacollar，fromwhichhungthecrossofSaint-Louis。Anobleserenitynowreigneduponthatfacewhere，forthelastyearorso，sleep，theforerunnerofdeath，seemedtobepreparinghimforresteternal。Thisconstantsomnolence，becomingdailymoreandmorefrequent，didnotalarmeitherhiswife，hisblindsister，orhisfriends，whosemedicalknowledgewasoftheslightest。

Tothemthesesolemnpausesofalifewithoutreproach，butveryweary，werenaturallyexplained:thebaronhaddonehisduty，thatwasall。

InthisancientmansiontheabsorbinginterestswerethefortunesofthedispossessedElderbranch。ThefutureoftheexiledBourbons，thatoftheCatholicreligion，theinfluenceofpoliticalinnovationsonBrittanyweretheexclusivetopicsofconversationinthebaron’sfamily。Therewasbutonepersonalinterestmingledwiththesemostabsorbingones:theattachmentofallfortheonlyson，forCalyste，theheir，thesolehopeofthegreatnameoftheduGuenics。

TheoldVendean，theoldChouan，had，someyearspreviously，areturnofhisownyouthinordertotrainhissontothosemanlyexerciseswhichwereproperforagentlemanliabletobesummonedatanymomenttotakearms。NosoonerwasCalystesixteenyearsofagethanhisfatheraccompaniedhimtothemarshesandtheforest，teachinghimthroughthepleasuresofthechasetherudimentsofwar，preachingbyexample，indifferenttofatigue，firminhissaddle，sureofhisshotwhateverthegamemightbe，——deer，hare，orabirdonthewing，——

intrepidinfaceofobstacles，biddinghissonfollowhimintodangerasthoughhehadtenothersonstotakeCalyste’splace。

So，whentheDuchessedeBerrylandedinFrancetoconquerbackthekingdomforherson，thefatherjudgeditrighttotakehisboytojoinher，andputinpracticethemottooftheirancestors。Thebaronstartedinthedeadofnight，sayingnowordtohiswife，whomightperhapshaveweakenedhim；takinghissonunderfireasiftoafete，andGasselin，hisonlyvassal，whofollowedhimjoyfully。Thethreemenofthefamilywereabsentforthreemonthswithoutsendingnewsoftheirwhereaboutstothebaroness，whoneverreadthe”Quotidienne”

withouttremblingfromlinetoline，nortohisoldblindsister，heroicallyerect，whosenerveneverfalteredforaninstanceassheheardthatpaperread。Thethreegunshangingtothewallshadthereforeseenservicerecently。Thebaron，whoconsideredtheenterpriseuseless，lefttheregionbeforetheaffairofLaPenissiere，orthehouseofGuenicwouldprobablyhaveendedinthathecatomb。

When，onastormynightafterpartingfromMADAME，thefather，son，andservantreturnedtothehouseinGuerande，theytooktheirfriendsandthebaronessandoldMademoiselleduGuenicbysurprise，althoughthelatter，bytheexerciseofsenseswithwhichtheblindaregifted，recognizedthestepsofthethreemeninthelittlelaneleadingtothehouse。Thebaronlookedrounduponthecircleofhisanxiousfriends，whowereseatedbesidethelittletablelightedbytheantiquelamp，andsaidinatremulousvoice，whileGasselinreplacedthethreegunsandthesabresintheirplaces，thesewordsoffeudalsimplicity:——”Thebaronsdidnotalldotheirduty。”

Then，havingkissedhiswifeandsister，hesatdowninhisoldarm-

chairandorderedsuppertobebroughtforhisson，forGasselin，andforhimself。GasselinhadthrownhimselfbeforeCalysteononeoccasion，toprotecthim，andreceivedthecutofasabreonhisshoulder；butsosimpleamatterdiditseemthateventhewomenscarcelythankedhim。Thebaronandhisguestsutteredneithercursesnorcomplaintsoftheirconquerors。SuchsilenceisatraitofBretoncharacter。Infortyyearsnooneeverheardawordofcontumelyfromthebaron’slipsabouthisadversaries。Itwasforthemtodotheirdutyashedidhis。Thisuttersilenceisthesurestindicationofanunalterablewill。

Thislasteffort，theflashofanenergynowwaning，hadcausedthepresentweaknessandsomnolenceoftheoldman。ThefreshdefeatandexileoftheBourbons，asmiraculouslydrivenoutasmiraculouslyre-established，weretohimasourceofbittersadness。

Aboutsixo’clockontheeveningofthedayonwhichthishistorybegins，thebaron，who，accordingtoancientcustom，hadfinisheddiningbyfouro’clock，fellasleepasusualwhilehiswifewasreadingtohimthe”Quotidienne。”Hisheadrestedagainstthebackofthearm-chairwhichstoodbesidethefireplaceonthegardenside。

Nearthisgnarledtrunkofanancienttree，andinfrontofthefireplace，thebaroness，seatedononeoftheantiquechairs，presentedthetypeofthoseadorablewomenwhoexistinEngland，Scotland，orIrelandonly。Therealonearebornthosemilk-whitecreatureswithgoldenhairthecurlsofwhicharewoundbythehandsofangels，forthelightofheavenseemstorippleintheirsilkenspiralsswayingtothebreeze。FannyO’Brienwasoneofthosesylphs，——strongintenderness，invincibleundermisfortune，softasthemusicofhervoice，pureastheazureofhereyes，ofadelicate，refinedbeauty，blessedwithaskinthatwassilkentothetouchandcaressingtotheeye，whichneitherpainter’sbrushnorwrittenwordcanpicture。Beautifulstillatforty-twoyearsofage，manyamanwouldhavethoughtithappinesstomarryherasshelookedatthesplendorsofthatautumncoloring，redundantinflowersandfruit，refreshedandrefreshingwiththedewsofheaven。

Thebaronessheldthepaperinthedimpledhand，thefingersofwhichcurvedslightlybackward，theirnailscutsquarelikethoseofanantiquestatue。Halflying，withoutill-graceoraffectation，inherchair，herfeetstretchedouttowarmthem，shewasdressedinagownofblackvelvet，fortheweatherwasnowbecomingchilly。Thecorsage，risingtothethroat，mouldedthesplendidcontouroftheshouldersandtherichbosomwhichthesucklingofhersonhadnotdeformed。Herhairwaswornin/ringlets/，aftertheEnglishfashion，downhercheeks；therestwassimplytwistedtothecrownofherheadandheldtherewithatortoise-shellcomb。Thecolor，notundecidedintoneasotherblondhair，sparkledtothelightlikeafilagreeofburnishedgold。Thebaronessalwaysbraidedtheshortlockscurlingonthenapeofherneck——whichareasignofrace。Thistinybraid，concealedinthemassofhairalwayscarefullyputup，allowedtheeyetofollowwithdelighttheundulatinglinebywhichherneckwassetuponhershoulders。Thislittledetailwillshowthecarewhichshegavetoherperson；itwasherpridetorejoicetheeyesoftheoldbaron。Whatacharming，delicateattention！Whenyouseeawomandisplayinginherownhomethecoquetrywhichmostwomenspendonasinglesentiment，believeme，thatwomanisasnobleamotherassheisawife；sheisthejoyandtheflowerofthehome；sheknowsherobligationsasawoman；inhersoul，inhertenderness，youwillfindheroutwardgraces；sheisdoinggoodinsecret；sheworships，sheadoreswithoutacalculationofreturn；shelovesherfellows，asshelovesGod，——fortheirownsakes。AndsoonemightfancythattheVirginofparadise，underwhosecareshelived，hadrewardedthechastegirlhoodandthesacredlifeoftheoldman’swifebysurroundingherwithasortofhalowhichpreservedherbeautyfromthewrongsoftime。ThealterationsofthatbeautyPlatowouldhaveglorifiedasthecomingofnewgraces。Herskin，somilk-whiteonce，hadtakenthewarmandpearlytoneswhichpaintersadore。Herbroadandfinelymodelledbrowcaughtlovinglythelightwhichplayedonitspolishedsurface。Hereyes，ofaturquoiseblue，shonewithunequalledsweetness；thesoftlashes，andtheslightlysunkentemplesinspiredthespectatorwithI

knownowwhatmutemelancholy。Thenose，whichwasaquilineandthin，recalledtheroyaloriginofthehigh-bornwoman。Thepurelips，finelycut，worehappysmiles，broughttherebyloving-kindnessinexhaustible。Herteethweresmallandwhite；shehadgainedoflateaslightembonpoint，butherdelicatehipsandslenderwaistwerenonetheworseforit。Theautumnofherbeautypresentedafewperennialflowersofherspringtideamongthericherbloomsofsummer。Herarmsbecamemorenoblyrounded，herlustrousskintookafinergrain；theoutlinesofherformgainedplenitude。Lastlyandbestofall，heropencountenance，sereneandslightlyrosy，thepurityofherblueeyes，thatalooktooeagermighthavewounded，expressedillimitablesympathy，thetendernessofangels。

Attheotherchimney-corner，inanarm-chair，theoctogenariansister，likeinallpointssaveclothestoherbrother，satlisteningtothereadingofthenewspaperandknittingstockings，aworkforwhichsightisneedless。Botheyeshadcataracts；butsheobstinatelyrefusedtosubmittoanoperation，inspiteoftheentreatiesofhersister-in-law。Thesecretreasonofthatobstinacywasknowntoherselfonly；shedeclareditwaswantofcourage；butthetruthwasthatshewouldnotletherbrotherspendtwenty-fivelouisforherbenefit。Thatsumwouldhavebeensomuchthelessforthegoodofthehousehold。

Thesetwooldpersonsbroughtoutinfinereliefthebeautyofthebaroness。MademoiselleZephirine，beingdeprivedofsight，wasnotawareofthechangeswhicheightyyearshadwroughtinherfeatures。

Herpale，hollowface，towhichthefixednessofthewhiteandsightlesseyesgavealmosttheappearanceofdeath，andthreeorfoursolitaryandprojectingteethmademenacing，wasframedbyalittlehoodofbrownprintedcotton，quiltedlikeapetticoat，trimmedwithacottonruche，andtiedbeneaththechinbystringswhichwerealwaysalittlerusty。Sheworea/cotillon/，orshortskirtofcoarsecloth，overaquiltedpetticoat(apositivemattress，inwhichweresecreteddoublelouis-d’ors)，andpocketssewntoabeltwhichsheunfastenedeverynightandputoneverymorninglikeagarment。Herbodywasencasedinthe/casaquin/ofBrittany，aspeciesofspencermadeofthesameclothasthe/cotillon/，adornedwithacollaretteofmanypleats，thewashingofwhichcausedtheonlydisputesheeverhadwithhersister-in-law，——herhabitbeingtochangeitonlyonceaweek。

Fromthelargewaddedsleevesofthe/casaquin/issuedtwowitheredbutstillvigorousarms，attheendsofwhichflourishedherhands，theirbrownish-redcolormakingthewhitearmslooklikepoplar-wood。

Thesehands，hookedorcontractedfromthehabitofknitting，mightbecalledastocking-machineincessantlyatwork；thephenomenonwouldhavebeenhadtheystopped。FromtimetotimeMademoiselleduGuenictookalongknittingneedlewhichshekeptinthebosomofhergown，andpasseditbetweenherhoodandherhairtopokeorscratchherwhitelocks。Astrangerwouldhavelaughedtoseethecarelessmannerinwhichshethrustbacktheneedlewithouttheslightestfearofwoundingherself。Shewasstraightasasteeple。Hererectandimposingcarriagemightpassforoneofthosecoquetriesofoldagewhichprovethatprideisanecessarypassionoflife。Hersmilewasgay。She，too，haddoneherduty。

Assoonasthebaronesssawthatherhusbandwasasleepshestoppedreading。Arayofsunshine，stretchingfromonewindowtotheother，dividedbyagoldenbandtheatmosphereofthatoldroomandburnishedthenowblackfurniture。Thelighttouchedthecarvingsoftheceiling，dancedonthetime-wornchests，spreaditsshiningclothontheoldoaktable，enliveningthestill，brownroom，asFanny’svoicecastintotheheartofheroctogenarianblindsisteramusicasluminousandascheerfulasthatrayofsunlight。Soontheraytookontheruddycolorswhich，byinsensiblegradations，sankintothemelancholytonesoftwilight。Thebaronessalsosankintoadeepmeditation，oneofthosetotalsilenceswhichhersister-in-lawhadnoticedforthelasttwoweeks，tryingtoexplainthemtoherself，butmakingnoinquiry。Theoldwomanstudiedthecausesofthisunusualpre-occupation，asblindpersons，onwhosesoulsoundlingerslikeadiviningecho，readbooksinwhichthepagesareblackandtheletterswhite。MademoiselleZephirine，towhomthedarkhournowmeantnothing，continuedtoknit，andthesilenceatlastbecamesodeepthattheclickingofherknitting-needleswasplainlyheard。”Youhavedroppedthepaper，sister，butyouarenotasleep，”saidtheoldwoman，slyly。

AtthismomentMariottecameintolightthelamp，whichsheplacedonasquaretableinfrontofthefire；thenshefetchedherdistaff，herballofthread，andasmallstool，onwhichsheseatedherselfintherecessofawindowandbeganasusualtospin。Gasselinwasstillbusyabouttheoffices；helookedtothehorsesofthebaronandCalyste，sawthatthestablewasinorderforthenight，andgavethetwofinehunting-dogstheirdailymeal。Thejoyfulbarkingoftheanimalswasthelastnoisethatawakenedtheechoesslumberingamongthedarksomewallsoftheancienthouse。Thetwodogsandthetwohorsesweretheonlyremainingvestigesofthesplendorsofitschivalry。Animaginativemanseatedonthestepsoftheporticoandlettinghimselffallintothepoesyofthestilllivingimagesofthatdwelling，mighthavequiveredasheheardthebayingofthehoundsandthetramplingoftheneighinghorses。

Gasselinwasoneofthoseshort，thick，squatlittleBretons，withblackhairandsun-brownedfaces，silent，slow，andobstinateasmules，butalwaysfollowingsteadilythepathmarkedoutforthem。Hewasforty-twoyearsold，andhadbeentwenty-fiveyearsinthehousehold。Mademoisellehadhiredhimwhenhewasfifteen，onhearingofthemarriageandprobablereturnofthebaron。Thisretainerconsideredhimselfaspartofthefamily；hehadplayedwithCalyste，helovedthehorsesanddogsofthehouse，andtalkedtothemandpettedthemasthoughtheywerehisown。Heworeabluelinenjacketwithlittlepocketsflappingabouthiships，waistcoatandtrousersofthesamematerialatallseasons，bluestockings，andstouthob-nailedshoes。Whenitwascoldorrainyheputonagoat’s-skin，afterthefashionofhiscountry。

Mariotte，whowasalsooverforty，wasasawomanwhatGasselinwasasaman。Noteamcouldbebettermatched，——samecomplexion，samefigure，samelittleeyesthatwerelivelyandblack。ItisdifficulttounderstandwhyGasselinandMariottehadnevermarried；possiblyitmighthaveseemedimmoral，theyweresolikebrotherandsister。

Mariotte’swageswereninetyfrancsayear；Gasselin’s，threehundred。

ButthousandsoffrancsofferedtothemelsewherewouldnothaveinducedeithertoleavetheGuenichousehold。BothwereundertheordersofMademoiselle，who，fromthetimeofthewarinLaVendeetotheperiodofherbrother’sreturn，hadruledthehouse。Whenshelearnedthatthebaronwasabouttobringhomeamistress，shehadbeenmovedtogreatemotion，believingthatshemustyieldthesceptreofthehouseholdandabdicateinfavoroftheBaronneduGuenic，whosesubjectshewasnowcompelledtobe。

MademoiselleZephirinewasthereforeagreeablysurprisedtofindinFannyO’Brienayoungwomanborntothehighestrank，towhomthepettycaresofapoorhouseholdwereextremelydistasteful，——onewho，likeotherfinesouls，wouldfarhavepreferredtoeatplainbreadratherthanthechoicestfoodifshehadtoprepareitforherself；awomancapableofaccomplishingalltheduties，eventhemostpainful，ofhumanity，strongundernecessaryprivations，butwithoutcourageforcommonplaceavocations。Whenthebaronbeggedhissisterinhiswife’snametocontinueinchargeofthehousehold，theoldmaidkissedthebaronesslikeasister；shemadeadaughterofher，sheadoredher，overjoyedtobeleftincontrolofthehousehold，whichshemanagedrigorouslyonasystemofalmostinconceivableeconomy，whichwasneverrelaxedexceptforsomegreatoccasion，suchasthelying-inofhersister，andhernourishment，andallthatconcernedCalyste，theworshippedsonofthewholehousehold。

Thoughthetwoservantswereaccustomedtothissternregime，andnoordersneedeverhavebeengiventothem，fortheinterestsoftheirmastersweregreaterintheirmindsthantheirown，——/were/theirowninfact，——MademoiselleZephirineinsistedonlookingaftereverything。

Herattentionbeingneverdistracted，sheknew，withoutgoinguptoverifyherknowledge，howlargewastheheapofnutsinthebarn；andhowmanyoatsremainedinthebinwithoutplunginghersinewyarmintothedepthsofit。Shecarriedattheendofastringfastenedtothebeltofher/casaquin/，aboatswain’swhistle，withwhichshewaswonttosummonMariottebyone，andGasselinbytwonotes。

Gasselin’sgreatesthappinesswastocultivatethegardenandproducefinefruitsandvegetables。Hehadsolittleworktodothatwithoutthisoccupationhewouldcertainlyhavefeltlost。Afterhehadgroomedhishorsesinthemorning，hepolishedthefloorsandcleanedtheroomsontheground-floor，thenhewenttohisgarden，whereweedordamaginginsectwasneverseen。SometimesGasselinwasobservedmotionless，bare-headed，underaburningsun，watchingforafield-

mouseortheterriblegrubofthecockchafer；then，assoonasitwascaught，hewouldrushwiththejoyofachildtoshowhismastersthenoxiousbeastthathadoccupiedhismindforaweek。HetookpleasureingoingtoCroisiconfast-days，topurchaseafishtobehadforlessmoneytherethanatGuerande。

Thusnohouseholdwasevermoretrulyone，moreunitedininterests，moreboundtogetherthanthisnoblefamilysacredlydevotedtoitsduty。Mastersandservantsseemedmadeforoneanother。Fortwenty-

fiveyearstherehadbeenneithertroublenordiscord。Theonlygriefswerethepettyailmentsofthelittleboy，theonlyterrorswerecausedbytheeventsof1814andthoseof1830。Ifthesamethingswereinvariablydoneatthesamehours，ifthefoodwassubjectedtotheregularityoftimesandseasons，thismonotony，likethatofNaturevariedonlybyalterationsofcloudandrainandsunshine，wassustainedbytheaffectionexistingintheheartsofall，——themorefruitful，themorebeneficentbecauseitemanatedfromnaturalcauses。

III

THREEBRETONSILHOUETTES

Whennighthadfairlyfallen，Gasselincameintothehallandaskedhismasterrespectfullyifhehadfurtherneedofhim。”Youcangoout，orgotobed，afterprayers，”repliedthebaron，wakingup，”unlessMadameormysister——”

Thetwoladiesheremadeasignofconsent。Gasselinthenkneltdown，seeingthathismastersrosetokneelupontheirchairs；Mariottealsokneltbeforeherstool。MademoiselleduGuenicthensaidtheprayeraloud。Afteritwasover，someonerappedatthedooronthelane。

Gasselinwenttoopenit。”IdaresayitisMonsieurlecure；heusuallycomesfirst，”saidMariotte。

Everyonenowrecognizedtherector’sfootontheresoundingstepsoftheportico。Hebowedrespectfullytothethreeoccupantsoftheroom，andaddressedtheminphrasesofthatunctuouscivilitywhichpriestsareaccustomedtouse。Totheratherabsent-mindedgreetingofthemistressofthehouse，herepliedbyanecclesiasticallyinquisitivelook。”Areyouanxiousorill，Madamelabaronne？”heasked。”Thankyou，no，”shereplied。

MonsieurGrimont，amanoffifty，ofmiddleheight，lostinhiscassock，fromwhichissuedtwostoutshoeswithsilverbuckles，exhibitedabovehishandsaplumpvisage，andagenerallywhiteskinthoughyellowinspots。Hishandsweredimpled。HisabbatialfacehadsomethingoftheDutchburgomasterintheplacidityofitscomplexionanditsfleshtones，andoftheBretonpeasantinthestraightblackhairandthevivacityofthebrowneyes，whichpreserved，nevertheless，apriestlydecorum。Hisgaiety，thatofamanwhoseconsciencewascalmandpure，admittedajoke。Hismannerhadnothinguneasyordoggedaboutit，likethatofmanypoorrectorswhoseexistenceorwhosepoweriscontestedbytheirparishioners，andwhoinsteadofbeing，asNapoleonsublimelysaid，themoralleadersofthepopulationandthenaturaljusticesofpeace，aretreatedasenemies。

ObservingMonsieurGrimontashemarchedthroughGuerande，themostirreligiousoftravellerswouldhaverecognizedthesovereignofthatCatholictown；butthissamesovereignloweredhisspiritualsuperioritybeforethefeudalsupremacyoftheduGuenics。Intheirsalonhewasasachaplaininhisseigneur’shouse。Inchurch，whenhegavethebenediction，hishandwasalwaysfirststretchedouttowardthechapelbelongingtotheGuenics，wheretheirmailedhandandtheirdevicewerecarveduponthekey-stoneofthearch。”IthoughtthatMademoiselledePen-Hoelhadalreadyarrived，”saidtherector，sittingdown，andtakingthehandofthebaronesstokissit。”Sheisgettingunpunctual。Canitbethatthefashionofdissipationiscontagious？IseethatMonsieurlechevalierisagainatLesTouchesthisevening。””Don’tsayanythingaboutthosevisitsbeforeMademoiselledePen-

Hoel，”criedtheoldmaid，eagerly。”Ah！mademoiselle，”remarkedMariotte，”youcan’tpreventthetownfromgossiping。””Whatdotheysay？”askedthebaroness。”TheyounggirlsandtheoldwomenallsaythatheisinlovewithMademoiselledesTouches。””AladofCalyste’smakeisplayinghisproperpartinmakingthewomenlovehim，”saidthebaron。”HerecomesMademoiselledePen-Hoel，”saidMariotte。

Thegravelinthecourt-yardcrackledunderthediscreetfootstepsofthecominglady，whowasaccompaniedbyapagesuppliedwithalantern。Seeingthislad，Mariotteremovedherstooltothegreathallforthepurposeoftalkingwithhimbythegleamofhisrush-light，whichwasburnedatthecostofhisrichandmiserlymistress，thuseconomizingthoseofherownmasters。

Thiselderlydemoisellewasathin，dried-upoldmaid，yellowastheparchmentofaParliamentrecord，wrinkledasalakeruffledbythewind，withgrayeyes，largeprominentteeth，andthehandsofaman。

Shewasrathershort，alittlecrooked，possiblyhump-backed；butnoonehadeverbeeninquisitiveenoughtoascertainthenatureofherperfectionsorherimperfections。DressedinthesamestyleasMademoiselleduGuenic，shestirredanenormousquantityofpetticoatsandlinenwhenevershewantedtofindoneorotherofthetwoaperturesofhergownthroughwhichshereachedherpockets。Thestrangestjinglingofkeysandmoneythenechoedamonghergarments。

Shealwayswore，danglingfromoneside，thebunchofkeysofagoodhousekeeper，andfromtheotherhersilversnuff-box，thimble，knitting-needles，andotherimplementsthatwerealsoresonant。

InsteadofMademoiselleZephirine’swaddedhood，sheworeagreenbonnet，inwhichshemayhavevisitedhermelons，forithadpassed，likethem，fromgreentoyellowish；asforitsshape，ourpresentfashionsarejustnowbringingitbacktoParis，aftertwentyyearsabsence，underthenameofBibi。Thisbonnetwasconstructedunderherowneyeandbythehandsofhernieces，outofgreenFlorencesilkboughtatGuerande，andanoldbonnet-shape，renewedeveryfiveyearsatNantes，——forMademoiselledePen-Hoelallowedherbonnetsthelongevityofalegislature。Herniecesalsomadehergowns，cutbyanimmutablepattern。TheoldladystillusedthecanewiththeshorthookthatallwomencarriedintheearlydaysofMarie-Antoinette。ShebelongedtotheveryhighestnobilityofBrittany。Herarmsboretheermineofitsancientdukes。InherandinhersistertheillustriousBretonhouseofthePen-Hoelsended。HeryoungersisterhadmarriedaKergarouet，who，inspiteofthedeepdisapprovalofthewholeregion，addedthenameofPen-HoeltohisownandcalledhimselftheVicomtedeKergarouet-Pen-Hoel。”Heavenhaspunishedhim，”saidtheoldlady；”hehasnothingbutdaughters，andtheKergarouet-Pen-Hoelnamewillbewipedout。”

MademoiselledePen-Hoelpossessedaboutseventhousandfrancsayearfromtherentaloflands。Shehadcomeintoherpropertyatthirty-sixyearsofage，andmanageditherself，inspectingitonhorseback，anddisplayingonallpointsthefirmnessofcharacterwhichisnoticeableinmostdeformedpersons。Heravaricewasadmiredbythewholecountryround，nevermeetingwiththeslightestdisapproval。Shekeptonewoman-servantandthepage。Heryearlyexpenses，notincludingtaxes，didnotamounttooverathousandfrancs。Consequently，shewastheobjectofthecajoleriesoftheKergarouet-Pen-Hoels，whopassedthewintersatNantes，andthesummersattheirestateonthebanksoftheLoirebelowl’Indret。Shewassupposedtobereadytoleaveherfortuneandhersavingstowhicheverofherniecespleasedherbest。

EverythreemonthsoneorotherofthefourdemoisellesdeKergarouet-

Pen-Hoel，(theyoungestofwhomwastwelve，andtheeldesttwentyyearsofage)cametospendafewdayswithher。

AfriendofZephirineduGuenic，JacquelinedePen-Hoel，broughtuptoadoretheBretongrandeuroftheduGuenics，hadformed，eversincethebirthofCalyste，theplanoftransmittingherpropertytothechevalierbymarryinghimtowhicheverofherniecestheVicomtessedeKergarouet-Pen-Hoel，theirmother，wouldbestowuponhim。ShedreamedofbuyingbacksomeofthebestoftheGuenicpropertyfromthefarmer/engagistes/。Whenavaricehasanobjectitceasestobeavice；itbecomesameansofvirtue；itsprivationsareaperpetualoffering；ithasthegrandeurofanintentionbeneathitsmeannesses。PerhapsZephirinewasinthesecretofJacqueline’sintention。Perhapseventhebaroness，whosewholesoulwasoccupiedbyloveforhersonandtendernessforhisfather，mayhaveguesseditasshesawwithwhatwilyperseveranceMademoiselledePen-Hoelbroughtwithherherfavoriteniece，CharlottedeKergarouet，nowsixteenyearsofage。Therector，MonsieurGrimont，wascertainlyinherconfidence；itwashewhohelpedtheoldmaidtoinvesthersavings。

ButMademoiselledePen-Hoelmighthavehadthreehundredthousandfrancsingold，shemighthavehadtentimesthelandedpropertysheactuallypossessed，andtheduGuenicswouldneverhaveallowedthemselvestopayhertheslightestattentionthattheoldwomancouldconstrueaslookingtoherfortune。FromafeelingoftrulyBretonpride，JacquelinedePen-Hoel，gladofthesupremacyaccordedtoheroldfriendZephirineandtheduGuenics，alwaysshowedherselfhonoredbyherrelationswithMadameduGuenicandhersister-in-law。SheevenwentsofarastoconcealthesortofsacrificetowhichsheconsentedeveryeveninginallowingherpagetoburnintheGuenichallthatsingulargingerbread-coloredcandlecalledan/oribus/whichisstillusedincertainpartsofwesternFrance。

Thusthisricholdmaidwasnobility，pride，andgrandeurpersonified。

Atthemomentwhenyouarereadingthisportraitofher，theAbbeGrimonthasjustindiscreetlyrevealedthatontheeveningwhentheoldbaron，theyoungchevalier，andGasselinsecretlydepartedtojoinMADAME(totheterrorofthebaronessandthegreatjoyofallBretons)MademoiselledePen-Hoelhadgiventhebarontenthousandfrancsingold，——animmensesacrifice，towhichtheabbeaddedanothertenthousand，atithecollectedbyhim，——chargingtheoldherotoofferthewhole，inthenameofthePen-HoelsandoftheparishofGuerande，tothemotherofHenriV。

MademoiselledePen-HoeltreatedCalysteasifshefeltthatherintentionsgavehercertainrightsoverhim；herplansseemedtoauthorizeasupervision。Notthatherideaswerestrictinthematterofgallantry，forshehad，infact，theusualindulgenceoftheoldwomenoftheoldschool，butsheheldinhorrorthemodernwaysofrevolutionarymorals。Calyste，whomighthavegainedinherestimationbyafewadventureswithBretongirls，wouldhavelostitconsiderablyhadsheseenhimentangledinwhatshecalledinnovations。Shemighthavedisinterredalittlegoldtopayfortheresultsofalove-

affair，butifCalystehaddrivenatilburyortalkedofavisittoParisshewouldhavethoughthimdissipated，anddeclaredhimaspendthrift。Impossibletosaywhatshemightnothavedonehadshefoundhimreadingnovelsoranimpiousnewspaper。Toher，novelideasmeanttheoverthrowofsuccessionofcrops，ruinunderthenameofimprovementsandmethods；inshort，mortgagedlandsastheinevitableresultofexperiments。Toher，prudencewasthetruemethodofmakingyourfortune；goodmanagementconsistedinfillingyourgranarieswithwheat，rye，andflax，andwaitingforariseattheriskofbeingcalledamonopolist，andclingingtothosegrain-sacksobstinately。Bysingularchanceshehadoftenmadeluckysaleswhichconfirmedherprinciples。Shewasthoughttobemaliciouslyclever，butinfactshewasnotquick-witted；ontheotherhand，beingasmethodicalasaDutchman，prudentasacat，andpersistentasapriest，thosequalitiesinaregionofroutinelikeBrittanywere，practically，theequivalentofintellect。”WillMonsieurduHalgajoinusthisevening？”askedMademoiselledePen-Hoel，takingoffherknittedmittensaftertheusualexchangeofgreetings。”Yes，mademoiselle；Imethimtakinghisdogtowalkonthemall，”

repliedtherector。”Ha！thenour/mouche/willbelivelyto-night。Lasteveningwewereonlyfour。”

Attheword/mouche/therectorroseandtookfromadrawerinoneofthetallchestsasmallroundbasketmadeoffineosier，apileofivorycountersyellowasaTurkishpipeaftertwentyyears’usage，andapackofcardsasgreasyasthoseofthecustom-houseofficersatSaint-Nazaire，whochangethemonlyonceintwoweeks。Thesetheabbebroughttothetable，arrangingthepropernumberofcountersbeforeeachplayer，andputtingthebasketinthecentreofthetablebesidethelamp，withinfantineeagerness，andthemannerofamanaccustomedtoperformthislittleservice。

Aknockattheoutergategivenfirmlyinmilitaryfashionechoedthroughthestillnessoftheancientmansion。MademoiselledePen-

Hoel’spagewentgravelytoopenthedoor，andpresentlythelong，lean，methodically-clothedpersonoftheChevalierduHalga，formerflag-captaintoAdmiraldeKergarouet，defineditselfinblackonthepenumbraoftheportico。”Welcome，chevalier！”criedMademoiselledePen-Hoel。”Thealtarisraised，”saidtheabbe。

Thechevalierwasamaninpoorhealth，whoworeflannelforhisrheumatism，ablack-silkskull-captoprotecthisheadfromfog，andaspencertoguardhispreciouschestfromthesuddengustswhichfreshentheatmosphereofGuerande。Healwayswentarmedwithagold-

headedcanetodriveawaythedogswhopaiduntimelycourttoafavoritelittlebitchwhousuallyaccompaniedhim。Thisman，fussyasafinelady，worriedbytheslightest/contretemps/，speakinglowtosparehisvoice，hadbeeninhisearlydaysoneofthemostintrepidandmostcompetentofficersoftheoldnavy。HehadwontheconfidenceofdeSuffrenintheIndianOcean，andthefriendshipoftheComtedePortenduere。Hissplendidconductwhileflag-captaintoAdmiralKergarouetwaswritteninvisiblelettersonhisscarredface。Toseehimnownoonewouldhaveimaginedthevoicethatruledthestorm，theeyethatcompassedthesea，thecourage，indomitable，oftheBretonsailor。

Thechevalierneversmoked，neverswore；hewasgentleandtranquilasagirl，asmuchconcernedabouthislittledogThisbeandhercapricesasthoughhewereanelderlydowager。Inthiswayhegaveahighideaofhisdepartedgallantry，butheneversomuchasalludedtothedeedsofsurpassingbraverywhichhadastonishedthedoughtyoldadmiral，Comted’Estaing。Thoughhismannerwasthatofaninvalid，andhewalkedasifsteppingoneggsandcomplainedaboutthesharpnessofthewindortheheatofthesun，orthedampnessofthemistyatmosphere，heexhibitedasetofthewhitestteethinthereddestofgums，——afactreassuringastohismaladies，whichwere，however，ratherexpensive，consistingastheydidoffourdailymealsofmonasticamplitude。Hisbodilyframe，likethatofthebaron，wasbony，andindestructiblystrong，andcoveredwithaparchmentgluedtohisbonesastheskinofanArabhorseonthemuscleswhichshineinthesun。HisskinretainedthetawnycoloritreceivedinIndia，whence，however，hedidnotbringbackeitherfactsorideas。Hehademigratedwiththerestofhisfriends，losthisproperty，andwasnowendinghisdayswiththecrossofSaint-Louisandapensionoftwothousandfrancs，asthelegalrewardofhisservices，paidfromthefundoftheInvalidesdelaMarine。Theslighthypochondriawhichmadehiminventhisimaginaryillsiseasilyexplainedbyhisactualsufferingduringtheemigration。HeservedintheRussiannavyuntilthedaywhentheEmperorAlexanderorderedhimtobeemployedagainstFrance；hethenresignedandwenttoliveatOdessa，neartheDucdeRichelieu，withwhomhereturnedtoFrance。ItwasthedukewhoobtainedforthisgloriousrelicoftheoldBretonnavythepensionwhichenabledhimtolive。OnthedeathofLouisXVIII。hereturnedtoGuerande，andbecame，afterawhile，mayorofthecity。

Therector，thechevalier，andMademoiselledePen-HoelhadregularlypassedtheireveningsforthelastfifteenyearsatthehoteldeGuenic，wheretheothernoblepersonagesoftheneighborhoodalsocame。ItwillbereadilyunderstoodthattheduGuenicswereattheheadofthefaubourgSaint-GermainoftheoldBretonprovince，wherenomemberofthenewadministrationsentdownbythegovernmentwaseverallowedtopenetrate。Forthelastsixyearstherectorcoughedwhenhecametothecrucialwords，/Domine，salvumfacregem/。

PoliticswerestillatthatpointinGuerande。