第5章

Fromtheseconsiderationsonthingsingeneral，thePrinceconductsustoNapoleoninparticular，andenterslargelyintoadiscussionofthemeritsoftheimperialsystem。OurauthorspeaksoftheEmperor’sadventinthefollowinggrandioseway：——

Napoleon，onarrivingatthepublicstage，sawthathispartwastobetheTESTAMENTARYEXECUTORoftheRevolution。Thedestructivefireofpartieswasextinct。andwhentheRevolution，dying，butnotvanquished，delegatedtoNapoleontheaccomplishmentofherlastwill，shesaidtohim，’Establishuponsolidbasestheprincipalresultofmyefforts。UnitedividedFrenchmen。DefeatfeudalEuropethatisleaguedagainstme。Cicatrizemywounds。

Enlightenthenations。Executethatinwidth，whichIhavehadtoperformindepth。BeforEuropewhatIhavebeenforFrance。And，evenifyoumustwaterthetreeofcivilizationwithyourblood——ifyoumustseeyourprojectsmisunderstood，andyoursonswithoutacountry，wanderingoverthefaceoftheearth，neverabandonthesacredcauseoftheFrenchpeople。Insureitstriumphbyallthemeanswhichgeniuscandiscoverandhumanityapprove。’

ThisgrandmissionNapoleonperformedtotheend。Histaskwasdifficult。Hehadtoplaceuponnewprinciplesasocietystillboilingwithhatredandrevenge。andtouse，forbuildingup，thesameinstrumentswhichhadbeenemployedforpullingdown。

Thecommonlotofeverynewtruththatarises，istowoundratherthantoconvince——ratherthantogainproselytes，toawakenfear。

For，oppressedasitlonghasbeen，itrushesforwardwithadditionalforce。havingtoencounterobstacles，itiscompelledtocombatthem，andoverthrowthem。until，atlength，comprehendedandadoptedbythegenerality，itbecomesthebasisofnewsocialorder。

LibertywillfollowthesamemarchastheChristianreligion。

ArmedwithdeathfromtheancientsocietyofRome，itforalongwhileexcitedthehatredandfearofthepeople。Atlast，byforceofmartyrdomsandpersecutions，thereligionofChristpenetratedintotheconscienceandthesoul。itsoonhadkingsandarmiesatitsorders，andConstantineandCharlemagneboreittriumphantthroughoutEurope。Religionthenlaiddownherarmsofwar。Itlaidopentoalltheprinciplesofpeaceandorderwhichitcontained。itbecamethepropofGovernment，asitwastheorganizingelementofsociety。Thuswillitbewithliberty。In1793itfrightenedpeopleandsovereignsalike。then，havingclotheditselfinamildergarb，ITINSINUATEDITSELFEVERYWHEREIN

THETRAINOFOURBATTALIONS。In1815allpartiesadopteditsflag，andarmedthemselveswithitsmoralforce——coveredthemselveswithitscolors。Theadoptionwasnotsincere，andlibertywassoonobligedtoreassumeitswarlikeaccoutrements。Withthecontesttheirfearsreturned。Letushopethattheywillsooncease，andthatlibertywillsoonresumeherpeacefulstandards，toquitthemnomore。

TheEmperorNapoleoncontributedmorethananyoneelsetowardsacceleratingthereignofliberty，bysavingthemoralinfluenceoftherevolution，anddiminishingthefearswhichitimposed。

WithouttheConsulateandtheEmpire，therevolutionwouldhavebeenonlyagranddrama，leavinggrandrevolutionsbutnotraces：

therevolutionwouldhavebeendrownedinthecounter-revolution。

Thecontrary，however，wasthecase。NapoleonrootedtherevolutioninFrance，andintroduced，throughoutEurope，theprincipalbenefitsofthecrisisof1789。Tousehisownwords，’Hepurifiedtherevolution，heconfirmedkings，andennobledpeople。’Hepurifiedtherevolution，inseparatingthetruthswhichitcontainedfromthepassionsthat，duringitsdelirium，disfiguredit。Heennobledthepeopleingivingthemtheconsciousnessoftheirforce，andthoseinstitutionswhichraisemenintheirowneyes。TheEmperormaybeconsideredastheMessiahofthenewideas。for——andwemustconfessit——inthemomentsimmediatelysucceedingasocialrevolution，itisnotsoessentialtoputrigidlyintopracticeallthepropositionsresultingfromthenewtheory，buttobecomemasteroftheregenerativegenius，toidentifyone’sselfwiththesentimentsofthepeople，andboldlytodirectthemtowardsthedesiredpoint。

ToaccomplishsuchataskYOURFIBRESHOULDRESPONDTOTHATOFTHE

PEOPLE，astheEmperorsaid。youshouldfeellikeit，yourinterestsshouldbesointimatelyraisedwithitsown，thatyoushouldvanquishorfalltogether。

Letustakebreathafterthesebigphrases，——grandroundfiguresofspeech，——which，whenputtogether，amountlikecertainothercombinationsofroundfigurestoexactly0。WeshallnotstoptoarguethemeritsanddemeritsofPrinceLouis’snotablecomparisonbetweentheChristianreligionandtheImperial-revolutionarysystem。Therearemanyblundersintheaboveextractaswereadit。blunderingmetaphors，blunderingarguments，andblunderingassertions。butthisissurelythegrandestblunderofall。andonewondersattheblindnessofthelegislatorandhistorianwhocanadvancesuchaparallel。AndwhatarewetosayofthelegacyofthedyingrevolutiontoNapoleon？Revolutionsdonotdie，and，ontheirdeath-beds，makingfinespeeches，handovertheirpropertytoyoungofficersofartillery。Wehaveallreadthehistoryofhisrise。TheconstitutionoftheyearIII。wascarried。OldmenoftheMontagne，disguisedroyalists，Parissections，PITTETCOBOURG，aboveall，withhismoney-bags，thoughtthatherewasafineopportunityforarevolt，andopposedthenewconstitutioninarms：

thenewconstitutionhadknowledgeofayoungofficerwhowouldnothesitatetodefenditscause，andwhoeffectuallybeatthemajority。Thetalemaybefoundineveryaccountoftherevolution，andtherestofhisstoryneednotbetold。Weknoweverystepthathetook：weknowhow，bydosesofcannon-ballspromptlyadministered，hecuredthefeverofthesections——thatfeverwhichanothercamp-physician(Menou)declinedtoprescribefor。weknowhowheabolishedtheDirectory。andhowtheConsulshipcame。andthentheEmpire。andthenthedisgrace，exile，andlonelydeath。Hasnotallthisbeenwrittenbyhistoriansinalltongues？——bymemoir-writingpages，chamberlains，marshals，lackeys，secretaries，contemporaries，andladiesofhonor？Notawordofmiracleisthereinallthisnarration。notawordofcelestialmissions，orpoliticalMessiahs。FromNapoleon’srisetohisfall，thebayonetmarchesalongsideofhim：nowhepointsitatthetailsofthescamperingfivehundred，——nowhechargeswithitacrossthebloodyplanksofArcola——nowhefliesbeforeitoverthefatalplainofWaterloo。

Unwilling，however，ashemaybetograntthatthereareanyspotsinthecharacterofhishero’sgovernment，thePrinceis，nevertheless，obligedtoallowthatsuchexisted。thattheEmperor’smannerofrulewasalittlemoreabruptanddictatorialthanmightpossiblybeagreeable。ForthisthePrincehasalwaysananswerready——itisthesamepooronethatNapoleonutteredamillionoftimestohiscompanionsinexile——theexcuseofnecessity。HeWOULDhavebeenveryliberal，butthatthepeoplewerenotfitforit。orthatthecursedwarpreventedhim——oranyotherreasonwhy。Hisfirstduty，however，sayshisapologist，wastoformageneralunionofFrenchmen，andhesetabouthisplaninthiswise：——

Letusnotforget，thatallwhichNapoleonundertook，inordertocreateageneralfusion，heperformedwithoutrenouncingtheprinciplesoftherevolution。Herecalledtheemigres，withouttouchinguponthelawbywhichtheirgoodshadbeenconfiscatedandsoldaspublicproperty。HereestablishedtheCatholicreligionatthesametimethatheproclaimedthelibertyofconscience，andendowedequallytheministersofallsects。HecausedhimselftobeconsecratedbytheSovereignPontiff，withoutconcedingtothePope’sdemandanyofthelibertiesoftheGallicanchurch。HemarriedadaughteroftheEmperorofAustria，withoutabandoninganyoftherightsofFrancetotheconquestsshehadmade。Hereestablishednobletitles，withoutattachingtothemanyprivilegesorprerogatives，andthesetitleswereconferredonallranks，onallservices，onallprofessions。Undertheempireallideaofcastewasdestroyed。nomaneverthoughtofvauntinghispedigree——nomaneverwasaskedhowhewasborn，butwhathehaddone。

Thefirstqualityofapeoplewhichaspirestoliberalgovernment，isrespecttothelaw。Now，alawhasnootherpowerthanliesintheinterestwhicheachcitizenhastodefendortocontraveneit。

Inordertomakeapeoplerespectthelaw，itwasnecessarythatitshouldbeexecutedintheinterestofall，andshouldconsecratetheprincipleofequalityinallitsextension。ItwasnecessarytorestoretheprestigewithwhichtheGovernmenthadbeenformerlyinvested，andtomaketheprinciplesoftherevolutiontakerootinthepublicmanners。Atthecommencementofanewsociety，itisthelegislatorwhomakesorcorrectsthemanners。later，itisthemannerswhichmakethelaw，orpreserveitfromagetoageintact。

Someofthesefusionsareamusing。Nomanintheempirewasaskedhowhewasborn，butwhathehaddone。and，accordingly，asaman’sactionsweresufficienttoillustratehim，theEmperortookcaretomakeahostofnewtitle-bearers，princes，dukes，barons，andwhatnot，whoserankhasdescendedtotheirchildren。HemarriedaprincessofAustria。but，forallthat，didnotabandonhisconquests——perhapsnotactually。butheabandonedhisallies，and，eventually，hiswholekingdom。WhodoesnotrecollecthisanswertothePoles，atthecommencementoftheRussiancampaign？ButforNapoleon’simperialfather-in-law，Polandwouldhavebeenakingdom，andhisrace，perhaps，imperialstill。WhywashetofetchthisprincessoutofAustriatomakeheirsforhisthrone？

Whydidnotthemanofthepeoplemarryagirlofthepeople？WhymusthehaveaPopetocrownhim——halfadozenkingsforbrothers，andabevyofaides-de-campdressedoutlikesomanymountebanksfromAstley’s，withdukes’coronets，andgrandbluevelvetmarshals’batons？Wehaverepeatedlyhiswordsforit。Hewantedtocreateanaristocracy——anotheracknowledgmentonhispartoftheRepublicandilemma——anotherapologyfortherevolutionaryblunder。

Tokeeptherepublicwithinbounds，adespotismisnecessary。torallyroundthedespotism，anaristocracymustbecreated。andforwhathavewebeenlaboringallthiswhile？forwhathavebastilesbeenbattereddown，andking’sheadshurled，asagageofbattle，inthefaceofarmedEurope？TohaveaDukeofOtrantoinsteadofaDukedelaTremouille，andEmperorStorkinplaceofKingLog。O

lameconclusion！IstheblessedrevolutionwhichisprophesiedforusinEnglandonlytoendinestablishingaPrinceFergusO’Connor，oraCardinalWade，oraDukeDanielWhittleHarvey？Greatasthosepatriotsare，welovethembetterundertheirsimplefamilynames，andscorntitlesandcoronets。

Atpresent，inFrance，thedelicatematteroftitlesseemstobebetterarranged，anygentleman，sincetheRevolution，beingfreetoadoptanyonehemayfixupon。anditappearsthattheCrownnolongerconfersanypatentsofnobility，butcontentsitselfwithsaying，asinthecaseofM。dePontois，theotherday，LeRoitrouveconvenablethatyoutakethetitleof，&c。

Toexecutethelegacyoftherevolution，then。tofulfilhisprovidentialmission。tokeephisplace，——inotherwords，forthesimplestarealwaysthebest，——tokeephisplace，andtokeephisGovernmentindecentorder，theEmperorwasobligedtoestablishamilitarydespotism，tore-establishhonorsandtitles。itwasnecessary，asthePrinceconfesses，torestoretheoldprestigeoftheGovernment，inordertomakethepeoplerespectit。andheadds——atruthwhichonehardlywouldexpectfromhim，——Atthecommencementofanewsociety，itisthelegislatorwhomakesandcorrectsthemanners。later，itisthemannerswhichpreservethelaws。Ofcourse，andhereisthegreatriskthatallrevolutionizingpeoplerun——theymusttendtodespotism。theymustpersonifythemselvesinaman，isthePrince’sphrase。and，accordingasishistemperamentordisposition——accordingasheisaCromwell，aWashington，oraNapoleon——therevolutionbecomestyrannyorfreedom，prospersorfalls。

SomewhereintheSt。Helenamemorials，NapoleonreportsamessageofhistothePope。TellthePope，hesaystoanarchbishop，torememberthatIhavesixhundredthousandarmedFrenchmen，quimarcherontavecmoi，pourmoi，etcommemoi。Andthisisthelegacyoftherevolution，theadvancementoffreedom！Ahundredvolumesofimperialspecialpleadingwillnotavailagainstsuchaspeechasthis——onesoinsolent，andatthesametimesohumiliating，whichgivesunwittinglythewholeoftheEmperor’sprogress，strength，andweakness。ThesixhundredthousandarmedFrenchmenwereusedup，andthewholefabricfalls。thesixhundredthousandarereducedtosixtythousand，andstraightwayalltherestofthefineimperialschemevanishes：themiserablesenate，socrawlingandabjectbutnow，becomesofasuddenendowedwithawondrousindependence。themiserableshamnobles，shamempress，shamkings，dukes，princes，chamberlains，packuptheirplumesandembroideries，pounceuponwhatmoneyandplatetheycanlaytheirhandson，andwhenthealliesappearbeforeParis，whenforcourageandmanlinessthereisyethope，whenwithfiercemarcheshasteningtothereliefofhiscapital，burstingthroughranksuponranksoftheenemy，andcrushingorscatteringthemfromthepathofhisswiftandvictoriousdespair，theEmperoratlastisathome，——

wherearethegreatdignitariesandthelieutenant-generalsoftheempire？WhereisMariaLouisa，theEmpressEagle，withherlittlecallowkingofRome？Isshegoingtodefendhernestandhereaglet？Notshe。Empress-queen，lieutenant-general，andcourtdignitaries，areoffonthewingsofallthewinds——profligatisunt，theyareawaywiththemoney-bags，andLouisStanislasXavierrollsintothepalaceofhisfathers。

WithregardtoNapoleon’sexcellencesasanadministrator，alegislator，aconstructorofpublicworks，andaskilfulfinancier，hisnephewspeakswithmuchdiffusepraise，andfewpersons，wesuppose，willbedisposedtocontradicthim。WhethertheEmperorcomposedhisfamouscode，orborrowedit，isoflittleimportance。

butheestablishedit，andmadethelawequalforeverymaninFranceexceptone。Hisvastpublicworksandvasterwarswerecarriedonwithoutnewloansorexorbitanttaxes。itwasonlythebloodandlibertyofthepeoplethatweretaxed，andweshallwantabetteradvocatethanPrinceLouistoshowusthatthesewerenotmostunnecessarilyandlavishlythrownaway。Asfortheformerandmaterialimprovements，itisnotnecessarytoconfessherethatadespoticenergycaneffectsuchfarmorereadilythanaGovernmentofwhichthestrengthisdiffusedinmanyconflictingparties。Nodoubt，ifwecouldcreateadespoticalgoverningmachine，asteamautocrat，——passionless，untiring，andsupreme，——weshouldadvancefurther，andlivemoreateasethanunderanyotherformofgovernment。Ministersmightenjoytheirpensionsandfollowtheirowndevices。LordJohnmightcomposehistoriesortragediesathisleisure，andLordPalmerston，insteadofrackinghisbrainstowriteleadingarticlesforCupid，mightcrownhislockswithflowers，andsing[Greektextomitted]，hisnaturalAnacreontics。

butalas！notso：ifthedespoticGovernmenthasitsgoodside，PrinceLouisNapoleonmustacknowledgethatithasitsbad，anditisforthisthatthecivilizedworldiscompelledtosubstituteforitsomethingmoreorderlyandlesscapricious。GoodastheImperialGovernmentmighthavebeen，itmustberecollected，too，thatsinceitsfirstfall，boththeEmperorandhisadmirerandwould-besuccessorhavehadtheirchanceofre-establishingit。

Flyfromsteepletosteepletheeaglesoftheformerdidactually，andaccordingtopromiseperchforawhileonthetowersofNotreDame。Weknowtheevent：ifthefateofwardeclaredagainsttheEmperor，thecountrydeclaredagainsthimtoo。and，witholdLafayetteforamouthpiece，therepresentativesofthenationdid，inaneatspeech，pronouncethemselvesinpermanence，butspokenomoreoftheEmperorthanifhehadneverbeen。

ThereupontheEmperorproclaimedhissontheEmperorNapoleonII。

L’Empereurestmort，vivel’Empereur！shoutedPrinceLucien。

Psha！notasoulechoedthewords：theplaywasplayed，andasforoldLafayetteandhispermanentrepresentatives，acorporalwithahammernailedupthedooroftheirspouting-club，andoncemoreLouisStanislasXavierrolledbacktothebosomofhispeople。

InlikemannerNapoleonIII。returnedfromexile，andmadehisappearanceonthefrontier。HiseagleappearedatStrasburg，andfromStrasburgadvancedtothecapital。butitarrivedatPariswithakeeper，andinapost-chaise。whence，bytheordersofthesovereign，itwasremovedtotheAmericanshores，andtheremagnanimouslyletloose。Whoknows，however，howsoonitmaybeonthewingagain，andwhataflightitwilltake？

THESTORYOFMARYANCEL。

Go，mynephew，saidoldFatherJacobtome，andcompletethystudiesatStrasburg：Heavensurelyhathordainedtheefortheministryinthesetimesoftrouble，andmyexcellentfriendSchneiderwillworkoutthedivineintention。

SchneiderwasanoldcollegefriendofuncleJacob’s，wasaBenedictinemonk，andamanfamousforhislearning。asforme，Iwasatthattimemyuncle’schorister，clerk，andsacristan。

Isweptthechurch，chantedtheprayerswithmyshrilltreble，andswungthegreatcopperincense-potonSundaysandfeasts。andI

toiledovertheFathersfortheotherdaysoftheweek。

Theoldgentlemansaidthatmyprogresswasprodigious，and，withoutvanity，Ibelievehewasright，forIthenverilyconsideredthatprayingwasmyvocation，andnotfighting，asIhavefoundsince。

Youwouldhardlyconceive(saidtheCaptain，swearingagreatoath)

howdevoutandhowlearnedIwasinthosedays。ItalkedLatinfasterthanmyownbeautifulpatoisofAlsacianFrench。IcouldutterlyoverthrowinargumenteveryProtestant(hereticswecalledthem)parsonintheneighborhood，andtherewasaconfoundedsprinklingoftheseunbelieversinourpartofthecountry。I

prayedhalfadozentimesaday。Ifastedthriceinaweek。and，asforpenance，Iusedtoscourgemylittlesides，tilltheyhadnomorefeelingthanapeg-top：suchwasthegodlylifeIledatmyuncleJacob’sinthevillageofSteinbach。

Ourfamilyhadlongdweltinthisplace，andalargefarmandapleasanthouseweretheninthepossessionofanotheruncle——uncleEdward。Hewastheyoungestofthethreesonsofmygrandfather。

butJacob，theelder，hadshownadecidedvocationforthechurch，from，Ibelieve，theageofthree，andnowwasbynomeanstiredofitatsixty。Myfather，whowastohaveinheritedthepaternalproperty，was，asIhear，aterriblescampandscapegrace，quarrelledwithhisfamily，anddisappearedaltogether，livinganddyingatParis。sofarweknewthroughmymother，whocame，poorwoman，withme，achildofsixmonths，onherbosom，wasrefusedallshelterbymygrandfather，butwashousedandkindlycaredforbymygooduncleJacob。

Hereshelivedforaboutsevenyears，andtheoldgentleman，whenshedied，weptoverhergraveagreatdealmorethanIdid，whowasthentooyoungtomindanythingbuttoysorsweetmeats。

Duringthistimemygrandfatherwaslikewisecarriedoff：heleft，asIsaid，thepropertytohissonEdward，withasmallprovisoinhiswillthatsomethingshouldbedoneforme，hisgrandson。

Edwardwashimselfawidower，withonedaughter，Mary，aboutthreeyearsolderthanI，andcertainlyshewasthedearestlittletreasurewithwhichProvidenceeverblessedamiserlyfather。bythetimeshewasfifteen，fivefarmers，threelawyers，twelveProtestantparsons，andalieutenantofDragoonshadmadeheroffers：itmustnotbedeniedthatshewasanheiressaswellasabeauty，which，perhaps，hadsomethingtodowiththeloveofthesegentlemen。However，Marydeclaredthatsheintendedtolivesingle，turnedawayherloversoneafteranother，anddevotedherselftothecareofherfather。

UncleJacobwasasfondofherashewasofanysaintormartyr。

Asforme，atthematureageoftwelveIhadmadeakindofdivinityofher，andwhenwesangAveMariaonSundaysIcouldnotrefrainfromturningtoher，wheresheknelt，blushingandprayingandlookinglikeanangel，asshewas。Besidesherbeauty，Maryhadathousandgoodqualities。shecouldplaybetterontheharpsichord，shecoulddancemorelightly，shecouldmakebetterpicklesandpuddings，thananygirlinAlsace。therewasnotawantorafancyoftheoldhunksherfather，orawishofmineormyuncle’s，thatshewouldnotgratifyifshecould。asforherself，thesweetsoulhadneitherwantsnorwishesexcepttoseeushappy。

Icouldtalktoyouforayearofalltheprettykindnessesthatshewoulddoforme。how，whenshefoundmeofearlymorningsamongmybooks，herpresencewouldcastalightupontheday。howsheusedtosmoothandfoldmylittlesurplice，andembroidermecapsandgownsforhighfeast-days。howsheusedtobringflowersforthealtar，andwhocoulddeckitsowellasshe？Butsentimentdoesnotcomegliblyfromunderagrizzledmoustache，soIwilldropit，ifyouplease。

Amongstotherfavorssheshowedme，Maryusedtobeparticularlyfondofkissingme：itwasathingIdidnotsomuchvalueinthosedays，butIfoundthatthemoreIgrewalivetotheextentofthebenefit，thelessshewouldcondescendtoconferitonme。tillatlast，whenIwasaboutfourteen，shediscontinueditaltogether，ofherownwishatleast。onlysometimesIusedtoberude，andtakewhatshehadnowbecomesomightyunwillingtogive。

IwasengagedinacontestofthissortonedaywithMary，when，justasIwasabouttocarryoffakissfromhercheek，Iwassalutedwithastaggeringslaponmyown，whichwasbestowedbyuncleEdward，andsentmereelingsomeyardsdownthegarden。

Theoldgentleman，whosetonguewasgenerallyascloseashispurse，nowpouredforthafloodofeloquencewhichquiteastonishedme。Ididnotthinkthatsomuchwastobesaidonanysubjectashemanagedtoutteronone，andthatwasabuseofme。hestamped，heswore，hescreamed。andthen，fromcomplimentingme，heturnedtoMary，andsalutedherinamannerequallyforcibleandsignificant。she，whowasverymuchfrightenedatthecommencementofthescene，grewveryangryatthecoarsewordsheused，andthewickedmotivesheimputedtoher。

Thechildisbutfourteen，shesaid。heisyourownnephew，andacandidateforholyorders：——father，itisashamethatyoushouldthusspeakofme，yourdaughter，orofoneofhisholyprofession。

Ididnotparticularlyadmirethisspeechmyself，butithadaneffectonmyuncle，andwasthecauseofthewordswithwhichthishistorycommences。TheoldgentlemanpersuadedhisbrotherthatI

mustbesenttoStrasburg，andtherekeptuntilmystudiesforthechurchwereconcluded。Iwasfurnishedwithalettertomyuncle’soldcollegechum，ProfessorSchneider，whowastoinstructmeintheologyandGreek。

IwasnotsorrytoseeStrasburg，ofthewondersofwhichIhadheardsomuch。butfeltverylothasthetimedrewnearwhenImustquitmyprettycousin，andmygoodolduncle。MaryandImanaged，however，apartingwalk，inwhichanumberoftenderthingsweresaidonbothsides。IamtoldthatyouEnglishmenconsideritcowardlytocry。asforme，Iweptandroaredincessantly：whenMarysqueezedme，forthelasttime，thetearscameoutofmeasifIhadbeenneithermorenorlessthanagreatwetsponge。Mycousin’seyeswerestoicallydry。herladyshiphadaparttoplay，anditwouldhavebeenwrongforhertobeinlovewithayoungchitoffourteen——soshecarriedherselfwithperfectcoolness，asiftherewasnothingthematter。Ishouldnothaveknownthatshecaredforme，haditnotbeenforaletterwhichshewrotemeamonthafterwards——THEN，nobodywasby，andtheconsequencewasthattheletterwashalfwashedawaywithherweeping。ifshehadusedawatering-potthethingcouldnothavebeenbetterdone。

Well，IarrivedatStrasburg——adismal，old-fashioned，ricketytowninthosedays——andstraightwaypresentedmyselfandletteratSchneider’sdoor。overitwaswritten——

COMITEDESALUTPUBLIC。

Wouldyoubelieveit？Iwassoignorantayoungfellow，thatIhadnoideaofthemeaningofthewords。however，Ienteredthecitizen’sroomwithoutfear，andsatdowninhisante-chamberuntilIcouldbeadmittedtoseehim。

HereIfoundveryfewindicationsofhisreverence’sprofession。

thewallswerehungroundwithportraitsofRobespierre，Marat，andthelike。agreatbustofMirabeau，mutilated，withthewordTraitreunderneath。listsandrepublicanproclamations，tobacco-

pipesandfire-arms。Atadeal-table，stainedwithgreaseandwine，satagentleman，withahugepigtaildanglingdowntothatpartofhispersonwhichimmediatelysucceedshisback，andarednightcap，containingaTRICOLORcockadeaslargeasapancake。Hewassmokingashortpipe，readingalittlebook，andsobbingasifhisheartwouldbreak。Everynowandthenhewouldmakebriefremarksuponthepersonagesortheincidentsofhisbook，bywhichIcouldjudgethathewasamanoftheverykeenestsensibilities——

Ah，brigand！Omalheureuse！OCharlotte，Charlotte！TheworkwhichthisgentlemanwasperusingiscalledTheSorrowsofWerter。itwasalltherage，inthosedays，andmyfriendwasonlyfollowingthefashion。IaskedhimifIcouldseeFatherSchneider？heturnedtowardsmeahideous，pimpledface，whichI

dreamofnowatfortyyears’distance。

Fatherwho？saidhe。DoyouimaginethatcitizenSchneiderhasnotthrownofftheabsurdmummeryofpriesthood？IfyouwerealittleolderyouwouldgotoprisonforcallinghimFatherSchneider——manyamanhasdiedforless。andhepointedtoapictureofaguillotine，whichwashangingintheroom。

Iwasinamazement。

Whatishe？IshenotateacherofGreek，anabbe，amonk，untilmonasterieswereabolished，thelearnededitorofthesongsof’Anacreon？’

HeWASallthis，repliedmygrimfriend。heisnowaMemberoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety，andwouldthinknomoreoforderingyourheadoffthanofdrinkingthistumblerofbeer。

Heswallowed，himself，thefrothyliquid，andthenproceededtogivemethehistoryofthemantowhommyunclehadsentmeforinstruction。

Schneiderwasbornin1756：wasastudentatWurzburg，andafterwardsenteredaconvent，whereheremainednineyears。Heherebecamedistinguishedforhislearningandhistalentsasapreacher，andbecamechaplaintoDukeCharlesofWurtemberg。ThedoctrinesoftheIlluminatibeganaboutthistimetospreadinGermany，andSchneiderspeedilyjoinedthesect。HehadbeenaprofessorofGreekatCologne。andbeingcompelled，onaccountofhisirregularity，togiveuphischair，hecametoStrasburgatthecommencementoftheFrenchRevolution，andactedforsometimeaprincipalpartasarevolutionaryagentatStrasburg。

[HeavenknowswhatwouldhavehappenedtomehadIcontinuedlongunderhistuition！saidtheCaptain。Iowethepreservationofmymoralsentirelytomyenteringthearmy。Aman，sir，whoisasoldier，hasverylittletimetobewicked。exceptinthecaseofasiegeandthesackofatown，whenalittlelicensecanoffendnobody。]

BythetimethatmyfriendhadconcludedSchneider’sbiography，wehadgrowntolerablyintimate，andIimpartedtohim(withthatexperiencesoremarkableinyouth)mywholehistory——mycourseofstudies，mypleasantcountrylife，thenamesandqualitiesofmydearrelations，andmyoccupationsinthevestrybeforereligionwasabolishedbyorderoftheRepublic。InthecourseofmyspeechIrecurredsooftentothenameofmycousinMary，thatthegentlemancouldnotfailtoperceivewhatatenderplaceshehadinmyheart。

ThenwerevertedtoTheSorrowsofWerter，anddiscussedthemeritsofthatsublimeperformance。AlthoughIhadbeforefeltsomemisgivingsaboutmynewacquaintance，myheartnowquiteyearnedtowardshim。HetalkedaboutloveandsentimentinamannerwhichmademerecollectthatIwasinlovemyself。andyouknowthatwhenamanisinthatcondition，histasteisnotveryrefined，anymaudlintrashofproseorverseappearingsublimetohim，provideditcorrespond，insomedegree，withhisownsituation。

Candidyouth！criedmyunknown，Ilovetohearthyinnocentstoryandlookonthyguilelessface。Thereis，alas！somuchofthecontraryinthisworld，somuchterrorandcrimeandblood，thatwewhominglewithitareonlytoogladtoforgetit。Wouldthatwecouldshakeoffourcaresasmen，andbeboys，asthouart，again！

Heremyfriendbegantoweeponcemore，andfondlyshookmyhand。

IblessedmystarsthatIhad，attheveryoutsetofmycareer，metwithonewhowassolikelytoaidme。Whataslanderousworlditis，thoughtI。thepeopleinourvillagecalltheseRepublicanswickedandbloody-minded。alambcouldnotbemoretenderthanthissentimentalbottle-nosedgentleman！TheworthymanthengavemetounderstandthatheheldaplaceunderGovernment。Iwasbusyinendeavoringtodiscoverwhathissituationmightbe，whenthedoorofthenextapartmentopened，andSchneidermadehisappearance。

Atfirsthedidnotnoticeme，butheadvancedtomynewacquaintance，andgavehim，tomyastonishment，somethingverylikeablow。

Youdrunken，talkingfool，hesaid，youarealwaysafteryourtime。Fourteenpeoplearecoolingtheirheelsyonder，waitinguntilyouhavefinishedyourbeerandyoursentiment！

Myfriendslunkmutteringoutoftheroom。

Thatfellow，saidSchneider，turningtome，isourpublicexecutioner：acapitalhandtooifhewouldbutkeepdecenttime。

butthebruteisalwaysdrunk，andblubberingover’TheSorrowsofWerter！’

Iknownotwhetheritwashisoldfriendshipformyuncle，ormypropermerits，whichwontheheartofthisthesternestruffianofRobespierre’screw。butcertainitis，thathebecamestrangelyattachedtome，andkeptmeconstantlyabouthisperson。AsforthepriesthoodandtheGreek，theywereofcourseverysoonoutofthequestion。TheAustrianswereonourfrontier。everydaybroughtusaccountsofbattleswon。andtheyouthofStrasburg，andofallFrance，indeed，wereburstingwithmilitaryardor。Asforme，Isharedthegeneralmania，andspeedilymountedacockadeaslargeasthatofmyfriend，theexecutioner。

Theoccupationsofthisworthywereunremitting。SaintJust，whohadcomedownfromParistopresideoverourtown，executedthelawsandthearistocratswithterriblepunctuality。andSchneiderusedtomakecountryexcursionsinsearchofoffenderswiththisfellow，asaprovost-marshal，athisback。Inthemeantime，havingenteredmysixteenthyear，andbeingaproperladofmyage，Ihadjoinedaregimentofcavalry，andwasscamperingnowaftertheAustrianswhomenacedus，andnowthreateningtheEmigres，whowerebandedatCoblentz。Myloveformydearcousinincreasedasmywhiskersgrew。andwhenIwasscarcelyseventeen，Ithoughtmyselfmanenoughtomarryher，andtocutthethroatofanyonewhoshouldventuretosaymenay。

IneednottellyouthatduringmyabsenceatStrasburg，greatchangeshadoccurredinourlittlevillage，andsomewhatoftherevolutionaryragehadpenetratedeventothatquietanddistantplace。ThehideousFeteoftheSupremeBeinghadbeencelebratedatParis。thepracticeofourancientreligionwasforbidden。itsprofessorsweremostoftheminconcealment，orinexile，orhadexpiatedonthescaffoldtheircrimeofChristianity。Inourpoorvillagemyuncle’schurchwasclosed，andhe，himself，aninmateinmybrother’shouse，onlyowinghissafetytohisgreatpopularityamonghisformerflock，andtheinfluenceofEdwardAncel。

ThelatterhadtakenintheRevolutionasomewhatprominentpart。

thatis，hehadengagedinmanycontractsforthearmy，attendedtheclubsregularly，correspondedwiththeauthoritiesofhisdepartment，andwasloudinhisdenunciationsofthearistocratsintheneighborhood。Butowing，perhaps，totheGermanoriginofthepeasantry，andtheirquietandrusticlives，therevolutionaryfurywhichprevailedinthecitieshadhardlyreachedthecountrypeople。TheoccasionalvisitofacommissaryfromParisorStrasburgservedtokeeptheflamealive，andtoremindtheruralswainsoftheexistenceofaRepublicinFrance。

Nowandthen，whenIcouldgainaweek’sleaveofabsence，I

returnedtothevillage，andwasreceivedwithtolerablepolitenessbymyuncle，andwithawarmerfeelingbyhisdaughter。

Iwon’tdescribetoyoutheprogressofourlove，orthewrathofmyuncleEdward，whenhediscoveredthatitstillcontinued。Hesworeandhestormed。helockedMaryintoherchamber，andvowedthathewouldwithdrawtheallowancehemademe，ifeverIventurednearher。Hisdaughter，hesaid，shouldnevermarryahopeless，pennilesssubaltern。andMarydeclaredshewouldnotmarrywithouthisconsent。WhathadItodo？——todespairandtoleaveher。AsformypooruncleJacob，hehadnocounseltogiveme，and，indeed，nospiritleft：hislittlechurchwasturnedintoastable，hissurplicetornoffhisshoulders，andhewasonlytooluckyinkeepingHISHEADonthem。Abrightthoughtstruckhim：supposeyouweretoasktheadviceofmyoldfriendSchneiderregardingthismarriage？hehaseverbeenyourfriend，andmayhelpyounowasbefore。

(HeretheCaptainpausedalittle。)Youmayfancy(continuedhe)

thatitwasdrolladviceofareverendgentlemanlikeuncleJacobtocounselmeinthismanner，andtobidmemakefriendswithsuchamurderouscut-throatasSchneider。butwethoughtnothingofitinthosedays。guillotiningwasascommonasdancing，andamanwasonlythoughtthebetterpatriotthemoreseverehemightbe。I

departedforthwithtoStrasburg，andrequestedthevoteandinterestoftheCitizenPresidentoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety。

Heheardmewithagreatdealofattention。Idescribedtohimmostminutelythecircumstance，expatiateduponthecharmsofmydearMary，andpaintedhertohimfromheadtofoot。Hergoldenhairandherbrightblushingcheeks，herslimwaistandhertrippingtinyfeet。andfurthermore，Iaddedthatshepossessedafortunewhichought，byrights，tobemine，butforthemiserlyoldfather。Cursehimforanaristocrat！concludedI，inmywrath。

AsIhadbeendiscoursingaboutMary’scharmsSchneiderlistenedwithmuchcomplacencyandattention：whenIspokeaboutherfortune，hisinterestredoubled。andwhenIcalledherfatheranaristocrat，theworthyex-Jesuitgaveagrinofsatisfaction，whichwasreallyquiteterrible。OfoolthatIwastotrusthimsofar！

TheverysameeveninganofficerwaiteduponmewiththefollowingnotefromSaintJust：——

STRASBURG，FifthyearoftheRepublic，oneandindivisible，11

Ventose。

ThecitizenPierreAncelistoleaveStrasburgwithintwohours，andtocarrytheencloseddespatchestothePresidentoftheCommitteeofPublicSafetyatParis。Thenecessaryleaveofabsencefromhismilitarydutieshasbeenprovided。Instantpunishmentwillfollowtheslightestdelayontheroad。

SalutetFraternite。

Therewasnochoicebutobedience，andoffIspedonmywearywaytothecapital。

AsIwasridingoutoftheParisgateImetanequipagewhichI

knewtobethatofSchneider。TheruffiansmiledatmeasI

passed，andwishedmeabonvoyage。Behindhischariotcameacuriousmachine，orcart。agreatbasket，threestoutpoles，andseveralplanks，allpaintedred，werelyinginthisvehicle，onthetopofwhichwasseatedmyfriendwiththebigcockade。ItwasthePORTABLEGUILLOTINEwhichSchneideralwayscarriedwithhimonhistravels。ThebourreauwasreadingTheSorrowsofWerter，andlookedassentimentalasusual。

IwillnotspeakofmyvoyageinordertorelatetoyouSchneider’s。Mystoryhadawakenedthewretch’scuriosityandavarice，andhewasdeterminedthatsuchaprizeasIhadshownmycousintobeshouldfallintonohandsbuthisown。Nosooner，infact，hadIquittedhisroomthanheprocuredtheorderformyabsence，andwasonthewaytoSteinbachasImethim。

Thejourneyisnotaverylongone。andonthenextdaymyuncleJacobwassurprisedbyreceivingamessagethatthecitizenSchneiderwasinthevillage，andwascomingtogreethisoldfriend。OldJacobwasinanecstasy，forhelongedtoseehiscollegeacquaintance，andhehopedalsothatSchneiderhadcomeintothatpartofthecountryuponthemarriage-businessofyourhumbleservant。OfcourseMarywassummonedtogiveherbestdinner，andwearherbestfrock。andherfathermadereadytoreceivethenewStatedignitary。

Schneider’scarriagespeedilyrolledintothecourt-yard，andSchneider’sCARTfollowed，asamatterofcourse。Theex-priestonlyenteredthehouse。hiscompanionremainingwiththehorsestodineinprivate。HerewasamosttouchingmeetingbetweenhimandJacob。Theytalkedovertheiroldcollegepranksandsuccesses。

theycappedGreekverses，andquotedancientepigramsupontheirtutors，whohadbeendeadsincetheSevenYears’War。Marydeclareditwasquitetouchingtolistentothemerryfriendlytalkofthesetwooldgentlemen。

Aftertheconversationhadcontinuedforatimeinthisstrain，Schneiderdrewupallofasudden，andsaidquietly，thathehadcomeonparticularandunpleasantbusiness——hintingabouttroublesometimes，spies，evilreports，andsoforth。ThenhecalleduncleEdwardaside，andhadwithhimalongandearnestconversation：soJacobwentoutandtalkedwithSchneider’sFRIEND。

theyspeedilybecameveryintimate，fortheruffiandetailedallthecircumstancesofhisinterviewwithme。Whenhereturnedintothehouse，sometimeafterthispleasingcolloquy，hefoundthetoneofthesocietystrangelyaltered。EdwardAncel，paleasasheet，trembling，andcryingformercy。poorMaryweeping。andSchneiderpacingenergeticallyabouttheapartment，ragingabouttherightsofman，thepunishmentoftraitors，andtheoneandindivisiblerepublic。

Jacob，hesaid，asmyuncleenteredtheroom，Iwaswilling，forthesakeofouroldfriendship，toforgetthecrimesofyourbrother。Heisaknownanddangerousaristocrat。heholdscommunicationswiththeenemyonthefrontier。heisapossessorofgreatandill-gottenwealth，ofwhichhehasplunderedtheRepublic。Doyouknow，saidhe，turningtoEdwardAncel，wheretheleastofthesecrimes，orthemeresuspicionofthem，wouldleadyou？

PoorEdwardsattremblinginhischair，andanswerednotaword。

Heknewfullwellhowquickly，inthisdreadfultime，punishmentfollowedsuspicion。and，thoughguiltlessofalltreasonwiththeenemy，perhapshewasawarethat，incertaincontractswiththeGovernment，hehadtakentohimselfamorethanpatrioticshareofprofit。

Doyouknow，resumedSchneider，inavoiceofthunder，forwhatpurposeIcamehither，andbywhomIamaccompanied？IamtheadministratorofthejusticeoftheRepublic。Thelifeofyourselfandyourfamilyisinmyhands：yonderman，whofollowsme，istheexecutorofthelaw。hehasridthenationofhundredsofwretcheslikeyourself。Asinglewordfromme，andyourdoomissealedwithouthope，andyourlasthouriscome。Ho！Gregoire！shoutedhe。isallready？

Gregoirerepliedfromthecourt，Icanputupthemachineinhalfanhour。ShallIgodowntothevillageandcallthetroopsandthelawpeople？

Doyouhearhim？saidSchneider。Theguillotineisinthecourt-yard。yournameisonmylist，andIhavewitnessestoproveyourcrime。Haveyouawordinyourdefence？

Notawordcame。theoldgentlemanwasdumb。buthisdaughter，whodidnotgivewaytohisterror，spokeforhim。

Youcannot，sir，saidshe，althoughyousayit，FEELthatmyfatherisguilty。youwouldnothaveenteredourhousethusaloneifyouhadthoughtit。Youthreatenhiminthismannerbecauseyouhavesomethingtoaskandtogainfromus：whatisit，citizen？——

tellushowmuchyouvalueourlives，andwhatsumwearetopayforourransom？

Sum！saiduncleJacob。hedoesnotwantmoneyofus：myoldfriend，mycollegechum，doesnotcomehithertodrivebargainswithanybodybelongingtoJacobAncel？

Oh，no，sir，no，youcan’twantmoneyofus，shriekedEdward。wearethepoorestpeopleofthevillage：ruined，MonsieurSchneider，ruinedinthecauseoftheRepublic。

Silence，father，saidmybraveMary。thismanwantsaPRICE：hecomes，withhisworthyfriendyonder，tofrightenus，nottokillus。Ifwedie，hecannottouchasouofourmoney。itisconfiscatedtotheState。Tellus，sir，whatisthepriceofoursafety？

Schneidersmiled，andbowedwithperfectpoliteness。

MademoiselleMarie，hesaid，isperfectlycorrectinhersurmise。Idonotwantthelifeofthispoordrivellingoldman：

myintentionsaremuchmorepeaceable，beassured。Itrestsentirelywiththisaccomplishedyounglady(whosespiritIlike，andwhosereadywitIadmire)，whetherthebusinessbetweenusshallbeamatterofloveordeath。Ihumblyoffermyself，citizenAncel，asacandidateforthehandofyourcharmingdaughter。Hergoodness，herbeauty，andthelargefortunewhichIknowyouintendtogiveher，wouldrenderheradesirablematchfortheproudestmanintherepublic，and，Iamsure，wouldmakemethehappiest。

Thismustbeajest，MonsieurSchneider，saidMary，trembling，andturningdeadlypale：youcannotmeanthis。youdonotknowme：

youneverheardofmeuntilto-day。

Pardonme，belledame，repliedhe。yourcousinPierrehasoftentalkedtomeofyourvirtues。indeed，itwasbyhisspecialsuggestionthatImadethevisit。

Itisfalse！——itisabaseandcowardlylie！exclaimedshe(fortheyounglady’scouragewasup)，——Pierrenevercouldhaveforgottenhimselfandmesoastooffermetoonelikeyou。Youcomeherewithalieonyourlips——alieagainstmyfather，toswearhislifeaway，againstmydearcousin’shonorandlove。Itisuselessnowtodenyit：father，IlovePierreAncel。Iwillmarrynootherbuthim——no，thoughourlastpennywerepaidtothismanasthepriceofourfreedom。

Schneider’sonlyreplytothiswasacalltohisfriendGregoire。

Senddowntothevillageforthemaireandsomegendarmes。andtellyourpeopletomakeready。

ShallIputTHEMACHINEup？shoutedheofthesentimentalturn。

Youhearhim，saidSchneider。MarieAncel，youmaydecidethefateofyourfather。Ishallreturninafewhours，concludedhe，andwillthenbegtoknowyourdecision。

Theadvocateoftherightsofmanthenlefttheapartment，andleftthefamily，asyoumayimagine，innoverypleasantmood。

OlduncleJacob，duringthefewminuteswhichhadelapsedintheenactmentofthisstrangescene，satstaringwildlyatSchneider，andholdingMaryonhisknees：thepoorlittlethinghadfledtohimforprotection，andnottoherfather，whowaskneelingalmostsenselessatthewindow，gazingattheexecutionerandhishideouspreparations。Theinstinctofthepoorgirlhadnotfailedher。

sheknewthatJacobwasheronlyprotector，ifnotofherlife——

heavenblesshim！——ofherhonor。Indeed，theoldmansaid，inastoutvoice，thismustneverbe，mydearestchild——youmustnotmarrythisman。IfitbethewillofProvidencethatwefall，weshallhaveatleastthethoughttoconsoleusthatwedieinnocent。

AnymaninFranceatatimelikethis，wouldbeacowardandtraitorifhefearedtomeetthefateofthethousandbraveandgoodwhohaveprecededus。

Whospeaksofdying？saidEdward。You，BrotherJacob？——youwouldnotlaythatpoorgirl’sheadonthescaffold，ormine，yourdearbrother’s。Youwillnotletusdie，Mary。youwillnot，forasmallsacrifice，bringyourpooroldfatherintodanger？

Marymadenoanswer。Perhaps，shesaid，thereistimeforescape：heistobeherebutintwohours。intwohourswemaybesafe，inconcealment，oronthefrontier。Andsherushedtothedoorofthechamber，asifshewouldhaveinstantlymadetheattempt：twogendarmeswereatthedoor。Wehaveorders，Mademoiselle，theysaid，toallownoonetoleavethisapartmentuntilthereturnofthecitizenSchneider。

Alas！allhopeofescapewasimpossible。Marybecamequitesilentforawhile。shewouldnotspeaktouncleJacob。and，inreplytoherfather’seagerquestions，sheonlyreplied，coldly，thatshewouldanswerSchneiderwhenhearrived。

Thetwodreadfulhourspassedawayonlytooquickly。and，punctualtohisappointment，theex-monkappeared。Directlyheentered，Maryadvancedtohim，andsaid，calmly，——

Sir，IcouldnotdeceiveyouifIsaidthatIfreelyacceptedtheofferwhichyouhavemademe。Iwillbeyourwife。butItellyouthatIloveanother。andthatitisonlytosavethelivesofthosetwooldmenthatIyieldmypersonuptoyou。

Schneiderbowed，andsaid，——

Itisbravelyspoken。Ilikeyourcandor——yourbeauty。Asforthelove，excusemeforsayingthatisamatteroftotalindifference。Ihavenodoubt，however，thatitwillcomeassoonasyourfeelingsinfavoroftheyounggentleman，yourcousin，havelosttheirpresentfervor。Thatengagingyoungmanhas，atpresent，anothermistress——Glory。Heoccupies，Ibelieve，thedistinguishedpostofcorporalinaregimentwhichisabouttomarchto——Perpignan，Ibelieve。

Itwas，infact，MonsieurSchneider’spoliteintentiontobanishmeasfaraspossiblefromtheplaceofmybirth。andhehad，accordingly，selectedtheSpanishfrontierasthespotwhereIwastodisplaymyfuturemilitarytalents。

Marygavenoanswertothissneer：sheseemedperfectlyresignedandcalm：sheonlysaid，——

Imustmake，however，someconditionsregardingourproposedmarriage，whichagentlemanofMonsieurSchneider’sgallantrycannotrefuse。

Praycommandme，repliedthehusbandelect。Fairlady，youknowIamyourslave。

Youoccupyadistinguishedpoliticalrank，citizenrepresentative，

saidshe。andweinourvillagearelikewiseknownandbeloved。I

shouldbeashamed，Iconfess，towedyouhere。forourpeoplewouldwonderatthesuddenmarriage，andimplythatitwasonlybycompulsionthatIgaveyoumyhand。Letus，then，performthisceremonyatStrasburg，beforethepublicauthoritiesofthecity，withthestateandsolemnitywhichbefitsthemarriageofoneofthechiefmenoftheRepublic。

Beitso，madam，heanswered，andgallantlyproceededtoembracehisbride。

Marydidnotshrinkfromthisruffian’skiss。nordidshereplywhenpooroldJacob，whosatsobbinginacorner，burstout，andsaid，——

OMary，Mary，Ididnotthinkthisofthee！

Silence，brother！hastilysaidEdward。mygoodson-in-lawwillpardonyourill-humor。

IbelieveuncleEdwardinhisheartwaspleasedatthenotionofthemarriage。heonlycaredformoneyandrank，andwaslittlescrupulousastothemeansofobtainingthem。

Thematterthenwasfinallyarranged。andpresently，afterSchneiderhadtransactedtheaffairswhichbroughthimintothatpartofthecountry，thehappybridalpartysetforwardforStrasburg。UnclesJacobandEdwardoccupiedthebackseatoftheoldfamilycarriage，andtheyoungbrideandbridegroom(hewasnearlyJacob’sage)wereseatedmajesticallyinfront。Maryhasoftensincetalkedtomeofthisdreadfuljourney。ShesaidshewonderedatthescrupulouspolitenessofSchneiderduringtheroute。nay，thatatanotherperiodshecouldhavelistenedtoandadmiredthesingulartalentofthisman，hisgreatlearning，hisfancy，andwit。buthermindwasbentuponotherthings，andthepoorgirlfirmlythoughtthatherlastdaywascome。

Inthemeantime，byablessedchance，IhadnotriddenthreeleaguesfromStrasburg，whentheofficerofapassingtroopofacavalryregiment，lookingatthebeastonwhichIwasmounted，waspleasedtotakeafancytoit，andorderedme，inanauthoritativetone，todescend，andtogiveupmysteedforthebenefitoftheRepublic。Irepresentedtohim，invain，thatIwasasoldier，likehimself，andthebearerofdespatchestoParis。Fool！hesaid。doyouthinktheywouldsenddespatchesbyamanwhocanrideatbestbuttenleaguesaday？Andthehonestsoldierwassowrothatmysupposedduplicity，thathenotonlyconfiscatedmyhorse，butmysaddle，andthelittleportmanteauwhichcontainedthechiefpartofmyworldlygoodsandtreasure。Ihadnothingforitbuttodismount，andtakemywayonfootbackagaintoStrasburg。Iarrivedthereintheevening，determiningthenextmorningtomakemycaseknowntothecitizenSt。Just。andthoughI

mademyentrywithoutasou，Idon’tknowwhatsecretexultationI

feltatagainbeingabletoreturn。

Theante-chamberofsuchagreatmanasSt。Justwas，inthosedays，toocrowdedforanunprotectedboytoobtainanearlyaudience。twodayspassedbeforeIcouldobtainasightofthefriendofRobespierre。Onthethirdday，asIwasstillwaitingfortheinterview，Iheardagreatbustleinthecourtyardofthehouse，andlookedoutwithmanyothersatthespectacle。

Anumberofmenandwomen，singingepithalamiums，anddressedinsomeabsurdimitationofRomancostume，atroopofsoldiersandgendarmerie，andanimmensecrowdofthebadaudsofStrasburg，weresurroundingacarriagewhichthenenteredthecourtofthemayoralty。Inthiscarriage，greatGod！IsawmydearMary，andSchneiderbyherside。Thetruthinstantlycameuponme：thereasonforSchneider’skeeninquiriesandmyabruptdismissal。butIcouldnotbelievethatMarywasfalsetome。Ihadonlytolookinherface，whiteandrigidasmarble，toseethatthisproposedmarriagewasnotwithherconsent。

IfellbackinthecrowdastheprocessionenteredthegreatroominwhichIwas，andhidmyfaceinmyhands：Icouldnotlookuponherasthewifeofanother，——uponhersolonglovedandtruly——thesaintofmychildhood——theprideandhopeofmyyouth——tornfrommeforever，anddeliveredovertotheunholyarmsofthemurdererwhostoodbeforeme。

ThedoorofSt。Just’sprivateapartmentopened，andhetookhisseatatthetableofmayoraltyjustasSchneiderandhiscortegearrivedbeforeit。

SchneiderthensaidthathecameinbeforetheauthoritiesoftheRepublictoespousethecitoyenneMarieAncel。

Issheaminor？askedSt。Just。

Sheisaminor，butherfatherisheretogiveheraway。

Iamhere，saiduncleEdward，comingeagerlyforwardandbowing。

EdwardAncel，sopleaseyou，citizenrepresentative。TheworthycitizenSchneiderhasdonemethehonorofmarryingintomyfamily。

Butmyfatherhasnottoldyouthetermsofthemarriage，saidMary，interruptinghim，inaloud，clearvoice。

HereSchneiderseizedherhand，andendeavoredtopreventherfromspeaking。Herfatherturnedpale，andcried，Stop，Mary，stop！

Forheaven’ssake，rememberyourpooroldfather’sdanger！

Sir，mayIspeak？

Lettheyoungwomanspeak，saidSt。Just，ifshehaveadesiretotalk。Hedidnotsuspectwhatwouldbethepurportofherstory。

Sir，shesaid，twodayssincethecitizenSchneiderenteredforthefirsttimeourhouse。andyouwillfancythatitmustbealoveofverysuddengrowthwhichhasbroughteitherhimormebeforeyouto-day。Hehadheardfromapersonwhoisnowunhappilynotpresent，ofmynameandofthewealthwhichmyfamilywassaidtopossess。andhencearosethismaddesignconcerningme。Hecameintoourvillagewithsupremepower，anexecutionerathisheels，andthesoldieryandauthoritiesofthedistrictentirelyunderhisorders。Hethreatenedmyfatherwithdeathifherefusedtogiveuphisdaughter。andI，whoknewthattherewasnochanceofescape，exceptherebeforeyou，consentedtobecomehiswife。MyfatherIknowtobeinnocent，forallhistransactionswiththeStatehavepassedthroughmyhands。Citizenrepresentative，I

demandtobefreedfromthismarriage。andIchargeSchneiderasatraitortotheRepublic，asamanwhowouldhavemurderedaninnocentcitizenforthesakeofprivategain。

Duringthedeliveryofthislittlespeech，uncleJacobhadbeensobbingandpantinglikeabroken-windedhorse。andwhenMaryhaddone，herusheduptoherandkissedher，andheldhertightinhisarms。Blessthee，mychild！hecried，forhavinghadthecouragetospeakthetruth，andshamethyoldfatherandme，whodarednotsayaword。

Thegirlamazesme，saidSchneider，withalookofastonishment。

Ineversawher，itistrue，tillyesterday。butIusednoforce：

herfathergavehertomewithhisfreeconsent，andsheyieldedasgladly。Speak，EdwardAncel，wasitnotso？

Itwas，indeed，bymyfreeconsent，saidEdward，trembling。

Forshame，brother！criedoldJacob。Sir，itwasbyEdward’sfreeconsentandmyniece’s。buttheguillotinewasinthecourt-

yard！QuestionSchneider’sfamulus，themanGregoire，himwhoreads‘TheSorrowsofWerter。’

Gregoiresteppedforward，andlookedhesitatinglyatSchneider，ashesaid，Iknownotwhattookplacewithindoors。butIwasorderedtoputupthescaffoldwithout。andIwastoldtogetsoldiers，andletnooneleavethehouse。

CitizenSt。Just，criedSchneider，youwillnotallowthetestimonyofaruffianlikethis，ofafoolishgirl，andamadex-

priest，toweighagainstthewordofonewhohasdonesuchservicetotheRepublic：itisabaseconspiracytobetrayme。thewholefamilyisknowntofavortheinterestoftheemigres。

Andthereforeyouwouldmarryamemberofthefamily，andallowtheotherstoescape。youmustmakeabetterdefence，citizenSchneider，saidSt。Just，sternly。

HereIcameforward，andsaidthat，threedayssince，IhadreceivedanordertoquitStrasburgforParisimmediatelyafteraconversationwithSchneider，inwhichIhadaskedhimhisaidinpromotingmymarriagewithmycousin，MaryAncel。thathehadheardfrommefullaccountsregardingherfather’swealth。andthathehadabruptlycausedmydismissal，inordertocarryonhisschemeagainsther。

Youareintheuniformofaregimentofthistown。whosentyoufromit？saidSt。Just。

Iproducedtheorder，signedbyhimself，andthedespatcheswhichSchneiderhadsentme。

Thesignatureismine，butthedespatchesdidnotcomefrommyoffice。CanyouproveinanywayyourconversationwithSchneider？

Why，saidmysentimentalfriendGregoire，forthematterofthat，Icananswerthattheladwasalwaystalkingaboutthisyoungwoman：hetoldmethewholestoryhimself，andmanyagoodlaughI

hadwithcitizenSchneideraswetalkedaboutit。

ThechargeagainstEdwardAncelmustbeexaminedinto，saidSt。

Just。Themarriagecannottakeplace。ButifIhadratifiedit，MaryAncel，whatthenwouldhavebeenyourcourse？

Maryfeltforamomentinherbosom，andsaid——Hewouldhavediedto-night——Iwouldhavestabbedhimwiththisdagger。*

*Thisreply，and，indeed，thewholeofthestory，ishistorical。

Anaccount，byCharlesNodier，intheRevuedeParis，suggestedittothewriter。

Therainwasbeatingdownthestreets，andyettheywerethronged。

alltheworldwashasteningtothemarket-place，wheretheworthyGregoirewasabouttoperformsomeofthepleasantdutiesofhisoffice。Onthisoccasion，itwasnotdeaththathewastoinflict。

hewasonlytoexposeacriminalwhowastobesentonafterwardstoParis。St。JusthadorderedthatSchneidershouldstandforsixhoursinthepublicplaceofStrasburg，andthenbesentontothecapitaltobedealtwithastheauthoritiesmightthinkfit。

Thepeoplefollowedwithexecrationsthevillaintohisplaceofpunishment。andGregoiregrinnedashefixeduptothepostthemanwhoseordershehadobeyedsooften——whohaddeliveredovertodisgraceandpunishmentsomanywhomeriteditnot。

Schneiderwasleftforseveralhoursexposedtothemockeryandinsultsofthemob。hewasthen，accordingtohissentence，marchedontoParis，whereitisprobablethathewouldhaveescapeddeath，butforhisownfault。Hewasleftforsometimeinprison，quiteunnoticed，perhapsforgotten：daybydayfreshvictimswerecarriedtothescaffold，andyettheAlsaciantribuneremainedalive。atlast，bythemediationofoneofhisfriends，alongpetitionwaspresentedtoRobespierre，statinghisservicesandhisinnocence，anddemandinghisfreedom。Thereplytothiswasanorderforhisinstantexecution：thewretchdiedinthelastdaysofRobespierre’sreign。Hiscomrade，St。Just，followedhim，asyouknow。butEdwardAncelhadbeenreleasedbeforethis，fortheactionofmybraveMaryhadcreatedastrongfeelinginhisfavor。

AndMary？saidI。

HereastoutandsmilingoldladyenteredtheCaptain’slittleroom：shewasleaningonthearmofamilitary-lookingmanofsomefortyyears，andfollowedbyanumberofnoisy，rosychildren。

ThisisMaryAncel，saidtheCaptain，andIamCaptainPierre，andyonderistheColonel，myson。andyouseeushereassembledinforce，foritisthefeteoflittleJacobyonder，whosebrothersandsistershaveallcomefromtheirschoolstodanceathisbirthday。

BEATRICEMERGER。

BeatriceMerger，whosenamemightfigureattheheadofoneofMr。

Colburn’spolitestromances——sosmoothandaristocraticdoesitsound——isnoheroine，exceptofherownsimplehistory。sheisnotafashionableFrenchCountess，norevenavictimoftheRevolution。

Sheisastout，sturdygirloftwo-and-twenty，withafacebeamingwithgoodnature，andmarkeddreadfullybysmallpox。andapairofblackeyes，whichmighthavedonesomeexecutionhadtheybeenplacedinasmootherface。Beatrice’sstationinsocietyisnotveryexalted。sheisaservantofall-work：shewilldressyourwife，yourdinner，yourchildren。shedoesbeefsteaksandplainwork。shemakesbeds，blacksboots，andwaitsattable——such，atleast，weretheofficeswhichsheperformedinthefashionableestablishmentofthewriterofthisbook：perhapsherhistorymaynotinaptlyoccupyafewpagesofit。

Myfatherdied，saidBeatrice，aboutsixyearssince，andleftmypoormotherwithlittleelsebutasmallcottageandastripofland，andfourchildrentooyoungtowork。Itwashardenoughinmyfather’stimetosupplysomanylittlemouthswithfood。andhowwasapoorwidowedwomantoprovideforthemnow，whohadneitherthestrengthnortheopportunityforlabor？

Besidesus，tobesure，therewasmyoldaunt。andshewouldhavehelpedus，butshecouldnot，fortheoldwomanisbed-ridden。soshedidnothingbutoccupyourbestroom，andgrumblefrommorningtillnight：heavenknows，pooroldsoul，thatshehadnogreatreasontobeveryhappy。foryouknow，sir，thatitfretsthetempertobesick。andthatitisworsestilltobesickandhungrytoo。

Atthattime，inthecountrywherewelived(inPicardy，notveryfarfromBoulogne)，timesweresobadthatthebestworkmancouldhardlyfindemploy。andwhenhedid，hewashappyifhecouldearnamatteroftwelvesousaday。Mother，workasshewould，couldnotgainmorethansix。anditwasahardjob，outofthis，toputmeatintosixbellies，andclothingonsixbacks。OldAuntBridgetwouldscold，asshegotherportionofblackbread。andmylittlebrothersusedtocryiftheirsdidnotcomeintime。I，too，usedtocrywhenIgotmyshare。formotherkeptonlyalittle，littlepieceforherself，andsaidthatshehaddinedinthefields，——Godpardonherforthelie！andblessher，asIamsureHedid。for，butforHim，noworkingmanorwomancouldsubsistuponsuchawretchedmorselasmydearmothertook。

Iwasathin，ragged，barefootedgirl，then，andsicklyandweakforwantoffood。butIthinkIfeltmother’shungermorethanmyown：andmanyandmanyabitternightIlayawake，crying，andprayingtoGodtogivememeansofworkingformyselfandaidingher。Andhehas，indeed，beengoodtome，saidpiousBeatrice，forHehasgivenmeallthis！

Well，timerolledon，andmattersgrewworsethanever：wintercame，andwascoldertousthananyotherwinter，forourclotheswerethinnerandmoretorn。mothersometimescouldfindnowork，forthefieldsinwhichshelaboredwerehiddenunderthesnow。sothatwhenwewantedthemmostwehadthemleast——warmth，work，orfood。

Iknewthat，dowhatIwould，motherwouldneverletmeleaveher，becauseIlookedtomylittlebrothersandmyoldcrippleofanaunt。butstill，breadwasbetterforusthanallmyservice。andwhenIleftthemthesixwouldhaveaslicemore。soIdeterminedtobidgood-bytonobody，buttogoaway，andlookforworkelsewhere。OneSunday，whenmotherandthelittleoneswereatchurch，IwentintoAuntBridget，andsaid，‘Tellmother，whenshecomesback，thatBeatriceisgone。’Ispokequitestoutly，asifI

didnotcareaboutit。

‘Gone！gonewhere？’saidshe。‘Youain’tgoingtoleavemealone，younastything。youain’tgoingtothevillagetodance，youragged，barefootedslut：you’reallofapieceinthishouse——yourmother，yourbrothers，andyou。Iknowyou’vegotmeatinthekitchen，andyouonlygivemeblackbread。’andheretheoldladybegantoscreamasifherheartwouldbreak。butwedidnotmindit，weweresousedtoit。

’Aunt，’saidI，’I’mgoing，andtookthisveryopportunitybecauseyouWEREalone：tellmotherIamtoooldnowtoeatherbread，anddonoworkforit：Iamgoing，pleaseGod，whereworkandbreadcanbefound：’andsoIkissedher：shewassoastonishedthatshecouldnotmoveorspeak。andIwalkedawaythroughtheoldroom，andthelittlegarden，Godknowswhither！

Iheardtheoldwomanscreamingafterme，butIdidnotstopnorturnround。Idon’tthinkIcould，formyheartwasveryfull。andifIhadgonebackagain，Ishouldneverhavehadthecouragetogoaway。SoIwalkedalong，longway，untilnightfell。andI

thoughtofpoormothercominghomefrommass，andnotfindingme。

andlittlePierreshoutingout，inhisclearvoice，forBeatricetobringhimhissupper。IthinkIshouldliketohavediedthatnight，andIthoughtIshouldtoo。forwhenIwasobligedtothrowmyselfonthecold，hardground，myfeetweretootornandwearytobearmeanyfurther。

Justthenthemoongotup。anddoyouknowIfeltacomfortinlookingatit，forIknewitwasshiningonourlittlecottage，anditseemedlikeanoldfriend’sface？Alittlewayon，asIsawbythemoon，wasavillage：andIsaw，too，thatamanwascomingtowardsme。hemusthaveheardmecrying，Isuppose。

WasnotGodgoodtome？Thismanwasafarmer，whohadneedofagirlinhishouse。hemademetellhimwhyIwasalone，andItoldhimthesamestoryIhavetoldyou，andhebelievedmeandtookmehome。Ihadwalkedsixlongleaguesfromourvillagethatday，askingeverywhereforworkinvain。andhere，atbedtime，Ifoundabedandasupper！

HereIlivedverywellforsomemonths。mymasterwasverygoodandkindtome。but，unluckily，toopoortogivemeanywages。sothatIcouldsavenothingtosendtomypoormother。Mymistressusedtoscold。butIwasusedtothatathome，fromAuntBridget：

andshebeatmesometimes，butIdidnotmindit。foryourhardycountrygirlisnotlikeyourtendertownlasses，whocryifapinpricksthem，andgivewarningtotheirmistressesatthefirsthardword。Theonlydrawbacktomycomfortwas，thatIhadnonewsofmymother。Icouldnotwritetoher，norcouldshehavereadmyletter，ifIhad。sothereIwas，atonlysixleagues’distancefromhome，asfaroffasifIhadbeentoParisorto’Merica。

However，inafewmonthsIgrewsolistlessandhomesick，thatmymistresssaidshewouldkeepmenolonger。andthoughIwentawayaspoorasIcame，Iwasstilltoogladtogobacktotheoldvillageagain，andseedearmother，ifitwerebutforaday。I

knewshewouldsharehercrustwithme，asshehaddoneforsolongatimebefore。andhopedthat，now，asIwastallerandstronger，I

mightfindworkmoreeasilyintheneighborhood。

YoumayfancywhatafeteitwaswhenIcameback。thoughI’msurewecriedasmuchasifithadbeenafuneral。Mothergotintoafit，whichfrightenedusall。andasforAuntBridget，sheSKREELED

awayforhourstogether，anddidnotscoldfortwodaysatleast。

LittlePierreofferedmethewholeofhissupper。poorlittleman！

hissliceofbreadwasnobiggerthanbeforeIwentaway。

Well，Igotalittleworkhereandalittlethere。butstillIwasaburdenathomeratherthanabread-winner。and，attheclosing-inofthewinter，wasverygladtohearofaplaceattwoleagues’

distance，wherework，theysaid，wastobehad。OffIset，onemorning，tofindit，butmissedmyway，somehow，untilitwasnight-timebeforeIarrived。Night-timeandsnowagain。itseemedasifallmyjourneysweretobemadeinthisbitterweather。

WhenIcametothefarmer’sdoor，hishousewasshutup，andhispeoplealla-bed。Iknockedforalongwhileinvain。atlasthemadehisappearanceatawindowupstairs，andseemedsofrightened，andlookedsoangrythatIsupposehetookmeforathief。ItoldhimhowIhadcomeforwork。’Whocomesforworkatsuchanhour？’

saidhe。’Gohome，youimpudentbaggage，anddonotdisturbhonestpeopleoutoftheirsleep。’Hebangedthewindowto。andsoIwasleftalonetoshiftformyselfasImight。Therewasnoshed，nocow-house，whereIcouldfindabed。soIgotunderacart，onsomestraw。itwasnoverywarmberth。Icouldnotsleepforthecold：

andthehourspassedsoslowly，thatitseemedasifIhadbeenthereaweekinsteadofanight。butstillitwasnotsobadasthefirstnightwhenIlefthome，andwhenthegoodfarmerfoundme。