第8章

Curiosity，theonlypassionandamusementpermittedinacloister，nowentirelypossessedme，andIadvancedtowardsthewindow。ButIhadnotmadeastepwhenablackshadow，asitseemedtome，detachingitselffromthepraying-desk，traversedtheroom，directingitselftowardsthewindow，andpassedswiftlybyme。ThemovementwassorapidthatIhadnottimetoavoidwhatseemedabodyadvancingtowardsme，andmyfrightwassogreatthatI

thoughtIshouldfaintasecondtime。ButIfeltnothing，and，asiftheshadowhadpassedthroughme，Isawitsuddenlydisappeartomyleft。

Irushedtothewindow，Ipushedbacktheblindwithprecipitation，andlookedroundthesacristy：Iwasthere，entirelyalone。I

lookedintothegarden——itwasdeserted，andthemid-daywindwaswanderingamongtheflowers。Itookcourage，Iexaminedallthecornersoftheroom。Ilookedbehindthepraying-desk，whichwasverylarge，andIshookallthesacerdotalvestmentswhichwerehangingonthewalls，everythingwasinitsnaturalcondition，andcouldgivemenoexplanationofwhathadjustoccurred。ThesightofallthebloodIhadlostledmetofancythatmybrainhad，probably，beenweakenedbythehaemorrhage，andthatIhadbeenapreytosomedelusion。Iretiredtomycell，andremainedshutupthereuntilthenextday。

Idon’tknowwhetherthereaderhasbeenasmuchstruckwiththeabovemysterioussceneasthewriterhas。butthefancyofitstrikesmeasveryfine。andthenaturalSUPERNATURALNESSiskeptupinthebeststyle。Theshutterswayingtoandfro，thefitfulLIGHTAPPEARINGoverthefurnitureoftheroom，andgivingitanairofstrangemotion——theawfulshadowwhichpassedthroughthebodyofthetimidyoungnovice——aresurelyveryfinelypainted。I

rushedtotheshutter，andflungitback：therewasnooneinthesacristy。Ilookedintothegarden。itwasdeserted，andthemid-

daywindwasroamingamongtheflowers。Thedrearinessiswonderfullydescribed：onlythepoorpaleboylookingeagerlyoutfromthewindowofthesacristy，andthehotmid-daywindwalkinginthesolitarygarden。Howskilfullyiseachoftheselittlestrokesdashedin，andhowwelldoalltogethercombinetomakeapicture！ButwemusthavealittlemoreaboutSpiridion’swonderfulvisitant。

AsIenteredintothegarden，Isteppedalittleononeside，tomakewayforapersonwhomIsawbeforeme。Hewasayoungmanofsurprisingbeauty，andattiredinaforeigncostume。Althoughdressedinthelargeblackrobewhichthesuperiorsofourorderwear，hehad，underneath，ashortjacketoffinecloth，fastenedroundthewaistbyaleathernbelt，andabuckleofsilver，afterthemanneroftheoldGermanstudents。Likethem，hewore，insteadofthesandalsofourmonks，shorttightboots。andoverthecollarofhisshirt，whichfellonhisshoulders，andwasaswhiteassnow，hung，inrichgoldencurls，themostbeautifulhairIeversaw。Hewastall，andhiselegantpostureseemedtorevealtomethathewasinthehabitofcommanding。Withmuchrespect，andyetuncertain，Ihalfsalutedhim。Hedidnotreturnmysalute。buthesmiledonmewithsobenevolentanair，andatthesametime，hiseyessevereandblue，lookedtowardsmewithanexpressionofsuchcompassionatetenderness，thathisfeatureshaveneversincethenpassedawayfrommyrecollection。Istopped，hopinghewouldspeaktome，andpersuadingmyself，fromthemajestyofhisaspect，thathehadthepowertoprotectme。butthemonk，whowaswalkingbehindme，andwhodidnotseemtoremarkhimintheleast，forcedhimbrutallytostepasidefromthewalk，andpushedmesorudelyasalmosttocausemetofall。Notwishingtoengageinaquarrelwiththiscoarsemonk，Imovedaway。but，afterhavingtakenafewstepsinthegarden，Ilookedback，andsawtheunknownstillgazingonmewithlooksofthetenderestsolicitude。Thesunshonefulluponhim，andmadehishairlookradiant。Hesighed，andliftedhisfineeyestoheaven，asiftoinvokeitsjusticeinmyfavor，andtocallittobearwitnesstomymisery。heturnedslowlytowardsthesanctuary，enteredintothequire，andwaslost，presently，intheshade。Ilongedtoreturn，spiteofthemonk，tofollowthisnoblestranger，andtotellhimmyafflictions。butwhowashe，thatIimaginedhewouldlistentothem，andcausethemtocease？Ifelt，evenwhilehissoftnessdrewmetowardshim，thathestillinspiredmewithakindoffear。forIsawinhisphysiognomyasmuchausterityassweetness。

Whowashe？——weshallseethat。Hewassomebodyverymysteriousindeed。butourauthorhastakencare，afterthemannerofhersex，tomakeaveryprettyfellowofhim，andtodresshiminthemostbecomingcostumespossible。

Theindividualintightbootsandarollingcollar，withthecopiousgoldenlocks，andthesolemnblueeyes，whohadjustgazedonSpiridion，andinspiredhimwithsuchafeelingoftenderawe，isamuchmoreimportantpersonagethanthereadermightsupposeatfirstsight。Thisbeautiful，mysterious，dandyghost，whosecostume，withatruewoman’scoquetry，MadameDudevanthassorejoicedtodescribe——isherreligioustype，amysticalrepresentationofFaithstrugglinguptowardsTruth，throughsuperstition，doubt，fear，reason，——intightinexpressibles，withabeltsuchasiswornbytheoldGermanstudents。Youwillpardonmefortreatingsuchanawfulpersonasthissomewhatlightly。butthereisalways，Ithink，suchadashoftheridiculousintheFrenchsublime，thatthecriticshouldtryanddojusticetoboth，orhemayfailingivingafairaccountofeither。

ThischaracterofHebronius，thetypeofMrs。Sand’sconvictions——

ifconvictionstheymaybecalled——or，atleast，theallegoryunderwhichherdoubtsarerepresented，is，inparts，veryfinelydrawn。

containsmanypassagesoftruth，verydeepandtouching，bythesideofotherssoentirelyabsurdandunreasonable，thatthereader’sfeelingsarecontinuallyswayingbetweenadmirationandsomethingverylikecontempt——alwaysinakindofwonderatthestrangemixturebeforehim。ButletushearMadameSand：——

PeterHebronius，saysourauthor，wasnotoriginallysonamed。

HisrealnamewasSamuel。HewasaJew，andborninalittlevillageintheneighborhoodofInnspruck。Hisfamily，whichpossessedaconsiderablefortune，lefthim，inhisearlyyouth，completelyfreetohisownpursuits。Frominfancyhehadshownthatthesewereserious。Helovedtobealoneandpassedhisdays，andsometimeshisnights，wanderingamongthemountainsandvalleysintheneighborhoodofhisbirthplace。Hewouldoftensitbythebrinkoftorrents，listeningtothevoiceoftheirwaters，andendeavoringtopenetratethemeaningwhichNaturehadhiddeninthosesounds。Asheadvancedinyears，hisinquiriesbecamemorecuriousandmoregrave。Itwasnecessarythatheshouldreceiveasolideducation，andhisparentssenthimtostudyintheGermanuniversities。Lutherhadbeendeadonlyacentury，andhiswordsandhismemorystilllivedintheenthusiasmofhisdisciples。

Thenewfaithwasstrengtheningtheconquestsithadmade。theReformerswereasardentasinthefirstdays，buttheirardorwasmoreenlightenedandmoremeasured。Proselytismwasstillcarriedonwithzeal，andnewconvertsweremadeeveryday。InlisteningtothemoralityandtothedogmaswhichLutheranismhadtakenfromCatholicism，Samuelwasfilledwithadmiration。Hisboldandsincerespiritinstantlycomparedthedoctrineswhichwerenowsubmittedtohim，withthoseinthebeliefofwhichhehadbeenbred。and，enlightenedbythecomparison，wasnotslowtoacknowledgetheinferiorityofJudaism。Hesaidtohimself，thatareligionmadeforasinglepeople，totheexclusionofallothers，——

whichonlyofferedabarbarousjusticeforruleofconduct，——whichneitherrenderedthepresentintelligiblenorsatisfactory，andleftthefutureuncertain，——couldnotbethatofnoblesoulsandloftyintellects。andthathecouldnotbetheGodoftruthwhohaddictated，inthemidstofthunder，hisvacillatingwill，andhadcalledtotheperformanceofhisnarrowwishestheslavesofavulgarterror。Alwaysconversantwithhimself，Samuel，whohadspokenwhathethought，nowperformedwhathehadspoken。and，ayearafterhisarrivalinGermany，solemnlyabjuredJudaism，andenteredintothebosomoftheReformedChurch。Ashedidnotwishtodothingsbyhalves，anddesiredasmuchaswasinhimtoputofftheoldmanandleadanewlife，hechangedhisnameofSamueltothatofPeter。Sometimepassed，duringwhichhestrengthenedandinstructedhimselfinhisnewreligion。Verysoonhearrivedatthepointofsearchingforobjectionstorefute，andadversariestooverthrow。Boldandenterprising，hewentatoncetothestrongest，andBossuetwasthefirstCatholicauthorthathesethimselftoread。Hecommencedwithakindofdisdain。believingthatthefaithwhichhehadjustembracedcontainedthepuretruth。

Hedespisedalltheattackswhichcouldbemadeagainstit，andlaughedalreadyattheirresistibleargumentswhichhewastofindintheworksoftheEagleofMeaux。Buthismistrustandironysoongaveplacetowonderfirst，andthentoadmiration：hethoughtthatthecausepleadedbysuchanadvocatemust，atleast，berespectable。and，byanaturaltransition，cametothinkthatgreatgeniuseswouldonlydevotethemselvestothatwhichwasgreat。HethenstudiedCatholicismwiththesameardorandimpartialitywhichhehadbestowedonLutheranism。HewentintoFrancetogaininstructionfromtheprofessorsoftheMotherChurch，ashehadfromtheDoctorsofthereformedcreedinGermany。HesawArnauldFenelon，thatsecondGregoryofNazianzen，andBossuethimself。

Guidedbythesemasters，whosevirtuesmadehimappreciatetheirtalentsthemore，herapidlypenetratedtothedepthofthemysteriesoftheCatholicdoctrineandmorality。Hefound，inthisreligion，allthathadforhimconstitutedthegrandeurandbeautyofProtestantism，——thedogmasoftheUnityandEternityofGod，whichthetworeligionshadborrowedfromJudaism。and，whatseemedthenaturalconsequenceofthelastdoctrine——adoctrine，however，towhichtheJewshadnotarrived——thedoctrineoftheimmortalityofthesoul。freewillinthislife。inthenext，recompenseforthegood，andpunishmentfortheevil。Hefound，morepure，perhaps，andmoreelevatedinCatholicismthaninProtestantism，thatsublimemoralitywhichpreachesequalitytoman，fraternity，love，charity，renouncementofself，devotiontoyourneighbor。

Catholicism，inaword，seemedtopossessthatvastformula，andthatvigorousunity，whichLutheranismwanted。Thelatterhad，indeed，initsfavor，thelibertyofinquiry，whichisalsoawantofthehumanmind。andhadproclaimedtheauthorityofindividualreason：butithadsolostthatwhichisthenecessarybasisandvitalconditionofallrevealedreligion——theprincipleofinfallibility。becausenothingcanliveexceptinvirtueofthelawsthatpresidedatitsbirth。and，inconsequence，onerevelationcannotbecontinuedandconfirmedwithoutanother。Now，infallibilityisnothingbutrevelationcontinuedbyGod，ortheWord，inthepersonofhisvicars。

Atlast，aftermuchreflection，Hebroniusacknowledgedhimselfentirelyandsincerelyconvinced，andreceivedbaptismfromthehandsofBossuet。HeaddedthenameofSpiridiontothatofPeter，tosignifythathehadbeentwiceenlightenedbytheSpirit。

ResolvedthenceforwardtoconsecratehislifetotheworshipofthenewGodwhohadcalledhimtoHim，andtothestudyofHisdoctrines，hepassedintoItaly，and，withtheaidofalargefortune，whichoneofhisuncles，aCatholiclikehimself，hadlefttohim，hebuiltthisconventwherewenoware。

Afriendofmine，whohasjustcomefromItaly，saysthathehasthereleftMessrs。Sp——r，P——l，andW。Dr——d，whowerethelightsofthegreatchurchinNewmanStreet，whowerethemselvesapostles，anddeclaredandbelievedthateverywordofnonsensewhichfellfromtheirlipswasadirectspiritualintervention。ThesegentlemenhavebecomePuseyitesalready，andare，myfriendstates，inthehighwaytoCatholicism。MadameSandherselfwasaCatholicsometimesince：havingbeenconvertedtothatfaithalongwithM。

N——，oftheAcademyofMusic。Mr。L——，thepianoforteplayer。andoneortwootherchosenindividuals，bythefamousAbbedelaM。

AbbedelaM——(sotoldmeintheDiligence，apriest，whoreadhisbreviaryandgossipedalternatelyverycuriouslyandpleasantly)ishimselfanameperdue：themanspokeofhisbrotherclergymanwithactualhorror。anditcertainlyappearsthattheAbbe’sworksofconversionhavenotprospered。forMadameSand，havingbroughtherhero(andherself，aswemaypresume)tothepointofCatholicism，proceedsdirectlytodisposeofthatasshehasdoneofJudaismandProtestantism，andwillnotleave，ofthewholefabricofChristianity，asinglestonestanding。

IthinkthefateofourEnglishNewmanStreetapostles，andofM。

delaM——，themadpriest，andhiscongregationofmadconverts，shouldbeawarningtosuchofusasareinclinedtodabbleinreligiousspeculations。for，inthem，asinallothers，ourflightybrainssoonlosethemselves，andwefindourreasonspeedilylyingprostratedatthemercyofourpassions。andIthinkthatMadameSand’snovelofSpiridionmaydoavastdealofgood，andbearsagoodmoralwithit。thoughnotsuchanone，perhaps，asourfairphilosopherintended。Foranythinghelearned，Samuel-Peter-

Spiridion-HebroniusmighthaveremainedaJewfromthebeginningtotheend。Whereforebeinsuchahurrytosetupnewfaiths？

Wherefore，MadameSand，tryandbesopreternaturallywise？

Whereforebesoeagertojumpoutofonereligion，forthepurposeofjumpingintoanother？Seewhatgoodthisphilosophicalfriskinesshasdoneyou，andonwhatsortofgroundyouarecomeatlast。Youaresowonderfullysagacious，thatyouflounderinmudateverystep。soamazinglyclear-sighted，thatyoureyescannotseeaninchbeforeyou，havingputout，withthatextinguishinggeniusofyours，everyoneofthelightsthataresufficientfortheconductofcommonmen。Andforwhat？LetourfriendSpiridionspeakforhimself。Aftersettinguphisconvent，andfillingitwithmonks，whoentertainanimmenserespectforhiswealthandgenius，FatherHebronius，unanimouslyelectedprior，giveshimselfuptofurtherstudies，andleaveshismonkstothemselves。

Industriousandsoberastheywere，originally，theygrowquicklyintemperateandidle。andHebronius，whodoesnotappearamonghisflockuntilhehasfreedhimselfoftheCatholicreligion，ashehasoftheJewishandtheProtestant，sees，withdismay，theevilconditionofhisdisciples，andregrets，toolate，theprecipitancybywhichherenounced，thenandforever，Christianity。But，ashehadnonewreligiontoadoptinitsplace，andas，grownmoreprudentandcalm，hedidnotwishtoaccusehimselfunnecessarily，oncemore，ofinconstancyandapostasy，hestillmaintainedalltheexteriorformsoftheworshipwhichinwardlyhehadabjured。Butitwasnotenoughforhimtohavequittederror，itwasnecessarytodiscovertruth。ButHebroniushadwelllookedroundtodiscoverit。hecouldnotfindanythingthatresembledit。Thencommencedforhimaseriesofsufferings，unknownandterrible。Placedfacetofacewithdoubt，thissincereandreligiousspiritwasfrightenedatitsownsolitude。andasithadnootherdesirenoraimonearththantruth，andnothingelseherebelowinterestedit，helivedabsorbedinhisownsadcontemplations，lookedceaselesslyintothevaguethatsurroundedhimlikeanoceanwithoutbounds，andseeingthehorizonretreatandretreataseverhewishedtonearit。Lostinthisimmenseuncertainty，hefeltasifattackedbyvertigo，andhisthoughtswhirledwithinhisbrain。Then，fatiguedwithhisvaintoilsandhopelessendeavors，hewouldsinkdowndepressed，unmanned，life-wearied，onlylivinginthesensationofthatsilentgriefwhichhefeltandcouldnotcomprehend。

ItisapitythatthishaplessSpiridion，soeagerinhispassagefromonecreedtoanother，andsoloudinhisprofessionofthetruth，whereverhefanciedthathehadfoundit，hadnotwaitedalittle，beforeheavowedhimselfeitherCatholicorProtestant，andimplicatedothersinerrorsandfollieswhichmight，atleast，havebeenconfinedtohisownbosom，andtherehavelaincomparativelyharmless。Inwhataprettystate，forinstance，willMessrs。Dr——dandP——lhavelefttheirNewmanStreetcongregation，whoarestillplungedintheiroldsuperstitions，fromwhichtheirspiritualpastorsandmastershavebeensetfree！Inwhatastate，too，doMrs。Sandandherbrotherandsisterphilosophers，Templars，SaintSimonians，Fourierites，Lerouxites，orwhateverthesectmaybe，leavetheunfortunatepeoplewhohavelistenedtotheirdoctrines，andwhohavenottheopportunity，orthefieryversatilityofbelief，whichcarriestheirteachersfromonecreedtoanother，leavingonlyexplodedliesanduselessrecantationsbehindthem！I

wishthestatewouldmakealawthatoneindividualshouldnotbeallowedtopreachmorethanonedoctrineinhislife，or，atanyrate，shouldbesoundlycorrectedforeverychangeofcreed。Howmanycharlatanswouldhavebeensilenced，——howmuchconceitwouldhavebeenkeptwithinbounds，——howmanyfools，whoaredazzledbyfinesentences，andmadedrunkbydeclamation，wouldhaveremained，quietandsober，inthatquietandsoberwayoffaithwhichtheirfathersheldbeforethem。However，thereaderwillbegladtolearnthat，afterallhisdoubtsandsorrows，Spiridiondoesdiscoverthetruth(THEtruth，whatawiseSpiridion！)andsomediscretionwithit。for，havingfoundamonghismonks，whoaredissolute，superstitious——andallhatehim——oneonlybeing，Fulgentius，whoisloving，candid，andpious，hesaystohim，Ifyouwerelikemyself，ifthefirstwantofyournaturewere，likemine，toknow，Iwould，withouthesitation，laybaretoyoumyentirethoughts。Iwouldmakeyoudrinkthecupoftruth，whichI

myselfhavefilledwithsomanytears，attheriskofintoxicatingyouwiththedraught。Butitisnotso，alas！youaremadetoloveratherthantoknow，andyourheartisstrongerthanyourintellect。YouareattachedtoCatholicism，——Ibelieveso，atleast，——bybondsofsentimentwhichyoucouldnotbreakwithoutpain，andwhich，ifyouweretobreak，thetruthwhichIcouldlaybaretoyouinreturnwouldnotrepayyouforwhatyouhadsacrificed。Insteadofexalting，itwouldcrushyou，verylikely。

Itisafoodtoostrongforordinarymen，andwhich，whenitdoesnotrevivify，smothers。Iwillnot，then，revealtoyouthisdoctrine，whichisthetriumphofmylife，andtheconsolationofmylastdays。becauseitmight，perhaps，beforyouonlyacauseofmourninganddespair……Ofalltheworkswhichmylongstudieshaveproduced，thereisonealonewhichIhavenotgiventotheflames。foritaloneiscomplete。Inthatyouwillfindmeentire，andthereLIESTHETRUTH。And，asthesagehassaidyoumustnotburyyourtreasuresinawell，Iwillnotconfideminetothebrutalstupidityofthesemonks。Butasthisvolumeshouldonlypassintohandsworthytotouchit，andbelaidopenforeyesthatarecapableofcomprehendingitsmysteries，Ishallexactfromthereaderonecondition，which，atthesametime，shallbeaproof：Ishallcarryitwithmetothetomb，inorderthathewhoonedayshallreadit，mayhavecourageenoughtobravethevainterrorsofthegrave，insearchingforitamidthedustofmysepulchre。AssoonasIamdead，therefore，placethiswritingonmybreast……Ah！whenthetimecomesforreadingit，Ithinkmywitheredheartwillspringupagain，asthefrozengrassatthereturnofthesun，andthat，fromthemidstofitsinfinitetransformations，myspiritwillenterintoimmediatecommunicationwiththine！

Doesnotthereaderlongtobeatthispreciousmanuscript，whichcontainsTHETRUTH。andoughthenottobeverymuchobligedtoMrs。Sand，forbeingsogoodastoprintitforhim？Weleaveallthestoryaside：howFulgentiushadnotthespirittoreadthemanuscript，butleftthesecrettoAlexis。howAlexis，asternoldphilosophicalunbelievingmonkaseverwas，triedinvaintoliftupthegravestone，butwastakenwithfever，andobligedtoforegothediscovery。andhow，finally，Angel，hisdisciple，ayouthamiableandinnocentashisname，wasthedestinedpersonwhobroughtthelong-buriedtreasuretolight。Tremblinganddelighted，thepairreadthistremendousMANUSCRIPTOFSPIRIDION。

Willitbebelieved，thatofallthedull，vague，windydocumentsthatmortaleverseteyeson，thisisthedullest？Ifthisbeabsolutetruth，aquoibonsearchforit，sincewehavelong，longhadthejewelinourpossession，orsince，atleast，ithasbeenheldupassuchbyeveryshamphilosopherwhohashadamindtopassoffhiswaresonthepublic？HearSpiridion：——

HowmuchhaveIwept，howmuchhaveIsuffered，howmuchhaveI

prayed，howmuchhaveIlabored，beforeIunderstoodthecauseandtheaimofmypassageonthisearth！Aftermanyincertitudes，aftermuchremorse，aftermanyscruples，IHAVECOMPREHENDEDTHATI

WASAMARTYR！——Butwhymymartyrdom？saidI。whatcrimnedidI

commitbeforeIwasborn，thustobecondemnedtolaborandgroaning，fromthehourwhenIfirstsawthedayuptothatwhenI

amabouttoenterintothenightofthetomb？

Atlast，bydintofimploringGod——bydintofinquiryintothehistoryofman，arayofthetruthhasdescendedonmybrow，andtheshadowsofthepasthavemeltedfrombeforemyeyes。Ihaveliftedacornerofthecurtain：Ihaveseenenoughtoknowthatmylife，likethatoftherestofthehumanrace，hasbeenaseriesofnecessaryerrors，yet，tospeakmorecorrectly，ofincompletetruths，conducting，moreorlessslowlyanddirectly，toabsolutetruthandidealperfection。Butwhenwilltheyriseonthefaceoftheearth——whenwilltheyissuefromthebosomoftheDivinity——

thosegenerationswhoshallsalutetheaugustcountenanceofTruth，andproclaimthereignoftheidealonearth？Iseewellhowhumanitymarches，butIneithercanseeitscradlenoritsapotheosis。Manseemstomeatransitoryrace，betweenthebeastandtheangel。butIknownothowmanycenturieshavebeenrequired，thathemightpassfromthestateofbrutetothestateofman，andIcannottellhowmanyagesarenecessarythathemaypassfromthestateofmantothestateofangel！

YetIhope，andIfeelwithinme，attheapproachofdeath，thatwhichwarnsmethatgreatdestiniesawaithumanity。Inthislifeallisoverforme。MuchhaveIstriven，toadvancebutlittle：I

havelaboredwithoutceasing，andhavedonealmostnothing。Yet，afterpainsimmeasurable，Idiecontent，forIknowthatIhavedoneallIcould，andamsurethatthelittleIhavedonewillnotbelost。

What，then，haveIdone？thiswiltthoudemandofme，manofafutureage，whowillseekfortruthinthetestamentsofthepast。

ThouwhowiltbenomoreCatholic——nomoreChristian，thouwiltaskofthepoormonk，lyinginthedust，anaccountofhislifeanddeath。Thouwouldstknowwhereforewerehisvows，whyhisausterities，hislabors，hisretreat，hisprayers？

Youwhoturnbacktome，inorderthatImayguideyouonyourroad，andthatyoumayarrivemorequicklyatthegoalwhichithasnotbeenmylottoattain，pause，yet，foramoment，andlookuponthepasthistoryofhumanity。Youwillseethatitsfatehasbeenevertochoosebetweentheleastoftwoevils，andevertocommitgreatfaultsinordertoavoidothersstillgreater。Youwillsee……ononeside，theheathenmythology，thatdebasedthespirit，initseffortstodeifytheflesh。ontheother，theaustereChristianprinciple，thatdebasedthefleshtoomuch，inordertoraisetheworshipofthespirit。Youwillsee，afterwards，howthereligionofChristembodiesitselfinachurch，andraisesitselfagenerousdemocraticpoweragainstthetyrannyofprinces。

Laterstill，youwillseehowthatpowerhasattaineditsend，andpassedbeyondit。Youwillseeit，havingchainedandconqueredprinces，leagueitselfwiththem，inordertooppressthepeople，andseizeontemporalpower。Schism，then，raisesupagainstitthestandardofrevolt，andpreachestheboldandlegitimateprincipleoflibertyofconscience：but，also，youwillseehowthislibertyofconsciencebringsreligiousanarchyinitstrain。or，worsestill，religiousindifferenceanddisgust。Andifyoursoul，shatteredinthetempestuouschangeswhichyoubeholdhumanityundergoing，wouldstrikeoutforitselfapassagethroughtherocks，amidstwhich，likeafrailbark，liestossingtremblingtruth，youwillbeembarrassedtochoosebetweenthenewphilosophers——who，inpreachingtolerance，destroyreligiousandsocialunity——andthelastChristians，who，topreservesociety，thatis，religionandphilosophy，areobligedtobravetheprincipleoftoleration。Manoftruth！towhomIaddress，atonce，myinstructionandmyjustification，atthetimewhenyoushalllive，thescienceoftruthnodoubtwillhaveadvancedastep。Think，then，ofallyourfathershavesuffered，as，bendingbeneaththeweightoftheirignoranceanduncertainty，theyhavetraversedthedesertacrosswhich，withsomuchpain，theyhaveconductedthee！Andiftheprideofthyyounglearningshallmaketheecontemplatethepettystrifesinwhichourlifehasbeenconsumed，pauseandtremble，asyouthinkofthatwhichisstillunknowntoyourself，andofthejudgmentthatyourdescendantswillpassonyou。Thinkofthis，andlearntorespectallthosewho，seekingtheirwayinallsincerity，havewanderedfromthepath，frightenedbythestorm，andsorelytriedbytheseverehandoftheAll-Powerful。Thinkofthis，andprostrateyourself。forallthese，eventhemostmistakenamongthem，aresaintsandmartyrs。

Withouttheirconquestsandtheirdefeats，thouwertindarknessstill。Yes，theirfailures，theirerrorseven，havearighttoyourrespect。formanisweak……Weepthen，forusobscuretravellers——unknownvictims，who，byourmortalsufferingsandunheard-oflabors，havepreparedthewaybeforeyou。Pityme，whohavepassionatelylovedjustice，andperseveringlysoughtfortruth，onlyopenedmyeyestoshutthemagainforever，andsawthatIhadbeeninvainendeavoringtosupportaruin，totakerefugeinavaultofwhichthefoundationswerewornaway……

TherestofthebookofSpiridionismadeupofahistoryoftherise，progress，and(whatourphilosopherispleasedtocall)decayofChristianity——ofanassertion，thatthedoctrineofChristisincomplete。thatChristmay，nevertheless，takehisplaceinthePantheonofdivinemen！andofalong，disgusting，absurd，andimpiousvision，inwhichtheSaviour，Moses，David，andElijaharerepresented，andinwhichChristismadetosay——WEAREALL

MESSIAHS，whenwewishtobringthereignoftruthuponearth。weareallChrists，whenwesufferforit！

Andthisistheultimatum，thesupremesecret，theabsolutetruth！

andithasbeenpublishedbyMrs。Sand，forsomanynapoleonspersheet，intheRevuedesDeuxMondes：andtheDeuxMondesaretoabidebyitforthefuture。Afterhavingattainedit，areweawhitwiser？Manisbetweenanangelandabeast：Idon’tknowhowlongitissincehewasabrute——Ican’tsayhowlongitwillbebeforeheisanangel。Thinkofpeoplelivingbytheirwits，andlivingbysuchawitasthis！Thinkofthestateofmentaldebauchanddiseasewhichmusthavebeenpassedthrough，eresuchwordscouldbewritten，andcouldbepopular！

Whenamanleavesourdismal，smokyLondonatmosphere，andbreathes，insteadofcoal-smokeandyellowfog，thisbright，clear，Frenchair，heisquiteintoxicatedbyitatfirst，andfeelsaglowinhisblood，andajoyinhisspirits，whichscarcelythriceayear，andthenonlyatadistancefromLondon，hecanattaininEngland。Istheintoxication，Iwonder，permanentamongthenatives？andmaywenotaccountforthetenthousandfranticfreaksofthesepeoplebythepeculiarinfluenceofFrenchairandsun？

Thephilosophersarefromnighttomorningdrunk，thepoliticiansaredrunk，theliterarymenreelandstaggerfromoneabsurditytoanother，andhowshallweunderstandtheirvagaries？Letussuppose，charitably，thatMadameSandhadinhaledamorethanordinaryquantityofthislaughinggaswhenshewroteforusthispreciousmanuscriptofSpiridion。Thatgreatdestiniesareinprospectforthehumanracewemayfancy，withoutherladyship’swordforit：butmoreliberalthanshe，andhavingalittleretrospectivecharity，aswellasthateasyprospectivebenevolencewhichMrs。Sandadopts，letustryandthinkthereissomehopeforourfathers(whowerenearerbrutalitythanourselves，accordingtotheSandeancreed)，orelsethereisaverypoorchanceforus，who，greatphilosophersasweare，areyet，alas！farremovedfromthatangelicconsummationwhichallmustwishforsodevoutly。Shecannotsay——isitnotextraordinary？——howmanycenturieshavebeennecessarybeforemancouldpassfromthebrutalstatetohispresentcondition，orhowmanyageswillberequirederewemaypassfromthestateofmantothestateofangels？Whatthedeuceistheuseofchronologyorphilosophy？Wewerebeasts，andwecan’ttellwhenourtailsdroppedoff：weshallbeangels。butwhenourwingsaretobegintosprout，whoknows？Inthemeantime，O

manofgenius，followourcounsel：leadaneasylife，don’tstickattrifles。nevermindaboutDUTY，itisonlymadeforslaves。iftheworldreproachyou，reproachtheworldinreturn，youhaveagoodloudtongueinyourhead：ifyourstraight-lacedmoralsinjureyourmentalrespiration，flingofftheold-fashionedstays，andleaveyourfreelimbstoriseandfallasNaturepleases。andwhenyouhavegrownprettysickofyourliberty，andyetunfittoreturntorestraint，cursetheworld，andscornit，andbemiserable，likemyLordByronandotherphilosophersofhiskidney。orelsemountastephigher，and，withconceitstillmoremonstrous，andmentalvisionstillmorewretchedlydebauchedandweak，beginsuddenlytofindyourselfafflictedwithamaudlincompassionforthehumanrace，andadesiretosetthemrightafteryourownfashion。Thereisthequarrelsomestageofdrunkenness，whenamancanasyetwalkandspeak，whenhecancallnames，andflingplatesandwine-

glassesathisneighbor’sheadwithaprettygoodaim。afterthiscomesthepatheticstage，whenthepatientbecomeswondrousphilanthropic，andweepswildly，asheliesinthegutter，andfanciesheisathomeinbed——whereheoughttobe。butthisisanallegory。

Idon’twishtocarrythisanyfarther，ortosayawordindefenceofthedoctrinewhichMrs。Dudevanthasfoundincomplete——here，atleast，isnottheplacefordiscussingitsmerits，anymorethanMrs。Sand’sbookwastheplaceforexposing，forsooth，itserrors：

ourbusinessisonlywiththedayandthenewnovels，andthecleverorsillypeoplewhowritethem。Oh！iftheybutknewtheirplaces，andwouldkeeptothem，anddroptheirabsurdphilosophicaljargon！NotallthebigwordsintheworldcanmakeMrs。Sandtalklikeaphilosopher：whenwillshegobacktoheroldtrade，ofwhichshewastheveryablestpractitionerinFrance？

Ishouldhavebeengladtogivesomeextractsfromthedramaticanddescriptivepartsofthenovel，thatcannot，inpointofstyleandbeauty，bepraisedtoohighly。Onemustsuffice，——itisthedescentofAlexistoseekthatunluckymanuscript，Spiridion。

Itseemedtome，hebegins，thatthedescentwaseternal。andthatIwasburyingmyselfinthedepthsofErebus：atlast，I

reachedalevelplace，——andIheardamournfulvoicedeliverthesewords，asitwere，tothesecretcentreoftheearth——’Hewillmountthatascentnomore！’——ImmediatelyIheardarisetowardsme，fromthedepthofinvisibleabysses，amyriadofformidablevoicesunitedinastrangechant——’Letusdestroyhim！Lethimbedestroyed！Whatdoeshehereamongthedead？Lethimbedeliveredbacktotorture！Lethimbegivenagaintolife！’

Thenafeeblelightbegantopiercethedarkness，andIperceivedthatIstoodontheloweststepofastaircase，vastasthefootofamountain。Behindmewerethousandsofstepsofluridiron。

beforeme，nothingbutavoid——anabyss，andether。thebluegloomofmidnightbeneathmyfeet，asabovemyhead。Ibecamedelirious，andquittingthatstaircase，whichmethoughtitwasimpossibleformetoreascend，Isprungforthintothevoidwithanexecration。

But，immediately，whenIhadutteredthecurse，thevoidbegantobefilledwithformsandcolors，andIpresentlyperceivedthatI

wasinavastgallery，alongwhichIadvanced，trembling。Therewasstilldarknessroundme。butthehollowsofthevaultsgleamedwitharedlight，andshowedmethestrangeandhideousformsoftheirbuilding……Ididnotdistinguishthenearestobjects。

butthosetowardswhichIadvancedassumedanappearancemoreandmoreominous，andmyterrorincreasedwitheverystepItook。Theenormouspillarswhichsupportedthevault，andthetracerythereofitself，werefiguresofmen，ofsupernaturalstature，deliveredtotortureswithoutaname。Somehungbytheirfeet，and，lockedinthecoilsofmonstrousserpents，clenchedtheirteethinthemarbleofthepavement。others，fastenedbytheirwaists，weredraggedupwards，thesebytheirfeet，thosebytheirheads，towardscapitals，whereotherfiguresstoopedtowardsthem，eagertotormentthem。Otherpillars，again，representedastrugglingmassoffiguresdevouringoneanother。eachofwhichonlyofferedatrunkseveredtothekneesortotheshoulders，thefierceheadswhereofretainedlifeenoughtoseizeanddevourthatwhichwasnearthem。Thereweresomewho，halfhangingdown，agonizedthemselvesbyattempting，withtheirupperlimbs，toflaythelowermoietyoftheirbodies，whichdroopedfromthecolumns，orwereattachedtothepedestals。andothers，who，intheirfightwitheachother，weredraggedalongbymorselsofflesh，——graspingwhich，theyclungtoeachotherwithacountenanceofunspeakablehateandagony。Along，orratherinplaceof，thefrieze，therewereoneithersidearangeofuncleanbeings，wearingthehumanform，butofaloathsomeugliness，busiedintearinghumancorpsestopieces——infeastingupontheirlimbsandentrails。Fromthevault，insteadofbossesandpendants，hungthecrushedandwoundedformsofchildren。asiftoescapetheseeatersofman’sflesh，theywouldthrowthemselvesdownwards，andbedashedtopiecesonthepavement……Thesilenceandmotionlessnessofthewholeaddedtoitsawfulness。Ibecamesofaintwithterror，thatI

stopped，andwouldfainhavereturned。ButatthatmomentIheard，fromthedepthsofthegloomthroughwhichIhadpassed，confusednoises，likethoseofamultitudeonitsmarch。Andthesoundssoonbecamemoredistinct，andtheclamorfiercer，andthestepscamehurryingontumultuously——ateverynewburstnearer，moreviolent，morethreatening。IthoughtthatIwaspursuedbythisdisorderlycrowd。andIstrovetoadvance，hurryingintothemidstofthosedismalsculptures。Thenitseemedasifthosefiguresbegantoheave，——andtosweatblood，——andtheirbeadyeyestomoveintheirsockets。AtonceIbeheldthattheywerealllookinguponme，thattheywereallleaningtowardsme，——somewithfrightfulderision，otherswithfuriousaversion。Everyarmwasraisedagainstme，andtheymadeasthoughtheywouldcrushmewiththequiveringlimbstheyhadtornonefromtheother……

Itis，indeed，apitythatthepoorfellowgavehimselfthetroubletogodownintodamp，unwholesomegraves，forthepurposeoffetchingupafewtrumperysheetsofmanuscript。andifthepublichasbeenrathertiredwiththeircontents，andisdisposedtoaskwhyMrs。Sand’sreligiousorirreligiousnotionsaretobebroughtforwardtopeoplewhoarequitesatisfiedwiththeirown，wecanonlysaythatthisladyistherepresentativeofavastclassofhercountrymen，whomthewitsandphilosophersoftheeighteenthcenturyhavebroughttothiscondition。TheleavesoftheDiderotandRousseautreehaveproducedthisgoodlyfruit：hereitis，ripe，bursting，andreadytofall——andhowtofall？Heavensendthatitmaydropeasily，forallcanseethatthetimeiscome。

THECASEOFPEYTEL：

INALETTERTOEDWARDBRIEFLESS，ESQUIRE，OFPUMPCOURT，TEMPLE。

PARIS，November，1839。

MYDEARBRIEFLESS，——Twomonthssince，whentheactofaccusationfirstappeared，containingthesumofthechargesagainstSebastianPeytel，allPariswasinafervoronthesubject。Theman’strialspeedilyfollowed，andkeptforthreedaysthepublicinterestwounduptoapainfulpoint。HewasfoundguiltyofdoublemurderatthebeginningofSeptember。and，sincethattime，whatwithMaroto’sdisaffectionandTurkishnews，wehavehadleisuretoforgetMonsieurPeytel，andtooccupyourselveswith[Greektextomitted]。PerhapsMonsieurdeBalzachelpedtosmotherwhatlittlesparksofinterestmightstillhaveremainedforthemurderousnotary。Balzacputforwardaletterinhisfavor，soverylong，soverydull，soverypompous，promisingsomuch，andperformingsolittle，thattheParisianpublicgaveupPeytelandhiscasealtogether。norwasituntilto-daythatsomesmallfeelingwasraisedconcerninghim，whenthenewspapersbroughttheaccounthowPeytel’sheadhadbeencutoffatBourg。

Hehadgonethroughtheusualmiserableceremoniesanddelayswhichattendwhatiscalled，inthiscountry，themarchofjustice。HehadmadehisappealtotheCourtofCassation，whichhadtakentimetoconsidertheverdictoftheProvincialCourt，andhadconfirmedit。Hehadmadehisappealformercy。hispoorsistercomingupallthewayfromBourg(asadjourney，poorthing！)tohaveaninterviewwiththeKing，whohadrefusedtoseeher。LastMondaymorning，atnineo’clock，anhourbeforePeytel’sbreakfast，theGreffierofAssizeCourt，incompanywiththeCureofBourg，waitedonhim，andinformedhimthathehadonlythreehourstolive。Attwelveo’clock，Peytel’sheadwasoffhisbody：anexecutionerfromLyonshadcomeoverthenightbefore，toassisttheprofessionalthroat-cutterofBourg。

Iamnotgoingtoentertainyouwithanysentimentallamentationsforthisscoundrel’sfate，ortodeclaremybeliefinhisinnocence，asMonsieurdeBalzachasdone。Asfarasmoralconvictioncango，theman’sguiltisprettyclearlybroughthometohim。ButanymanwhohasreadtheCausesCelebres，knowsthatmenhavebeenconvictedandexecuteduponevidencetentimesmorepowerfulthanthatwhichwasbroughtagainstPeytel。Hisownaccountofhishorriblecasemaybetrue。thereisnothingadducedintheevidencewhichisstrongenoughtooverthrowit。Itisaseriousprivilege，Godknows，thatsocietytakesuponitself，atanytime，todepriveoneofGod’screaturesofexistence。Butwhentheslightestdoubtremains，whatatremendousriskdoesitincur！

InEngland，thankheaven，thelawismorewiseandmoremerciful：

anEnglishjurywouldneverhavetakenaman’sblooduponsuchtestimony：anEnglishjudgeandCrownadvocatewouldneverhaveactedastheseFrenchmenhavedone。thelatterinflamingthepublicmindbyexaggeratedappealstotheirpassions：theformerseeking，ineveryway，todrawconfessionsfromtheprisoner，toperplexandconfoundhim，todoaway，byfiercecross-questioningandbitterremarksfromthebench，withanyeffectthathistestimonymighthaveonthejury。Idon’tmeantosaythatjudgesandlawyershavebeenmoreviolentandinquisitorialagainsttheunhappyPeytelthanagainstanyoneelse。itisthefashionofthecountry：amanisguiltyuntilheproveshimselftobeinnocent。andtobatterdownhisdefence，ifhehaveany，therearethelawyers，withalltheirhorribleingenuity，andtheircaptivatingpassionateeloquence。Itishardthustosettheskilfulandtriedchampionsofthelawagainstmenunusedtothiskindofcombat。nay，giveamanallthelegalaidthathecanpurchaseorprocure，still，bythisplan，youtakehimatacruel，unmanlydisadvantage。hehastofightagainstthelaw，cloggedwiththedreadfulweightofhispresupposedguilt。

ThankGodthat，inEngland，thingsarenotmanagedso。

However，Iamnotabouttoentertainyouwithignorantdisquisitionsaboutthelaw。Peytel’scasemay，nevertheless，interestyou。forthetaleisaverystirringandmysteriousone。andyoumayseehoweasyathingitisforaman’slifetobetalkedawayinFrance，ifeverheshouldhappentofallunderthesuspicionofacrime。TheFrenchActed’accusationbeginsinthefollowingmanner：——

Ofalltheeventswhich，intheselattertimes，haveafflictedthedepartmentoftheAin，thereisnonewhichhascausedamoreprofoundandlivelysensationthanthetragicaldeathofthelady，FeliciteAlcazar，wifeofSebastianBenedictPeytel，notary，atBelley。AttheendofOctober，1838，MadamePeytelquittedthattown，withherhusband，andtheirservantLouisRey，inordertopassafewdaysatMacon：atmidnight，theinhabitantsofBelleyweresuddenlyawakenedbythearrivalofMonsieurPeytel，byhiscries，andbythesignswhichheexhibitedofthemostlivelyagitation：heimploredthesuccorsofallthephysiciansinthetown。knockedviolentlyattheirdoors。rungatthebellsoftheirhouseswithasortoffrenzy，andannouncedthathiswife，stretchedout，anddying，inhiscarriage，hadjustbeenshot，ontheLyonsroad，byhisdomestic，whoselifePeytelhimselfhadtaken。

Atthisrecitalanumberofpersonsassembled，andwhataspectaclewaspresentedtotheireyes。

Ayoungwomanlayatthebottomofacarriage，deprivedoflife。

herwholebodywaswet，andseemedasifithadjustbeenplungedintothewater。Sheappearedtobeseverelywoundedintheface。

andhergarments，whichwereraisedup，inspiteofthecoldandrainyweather，lefttheupperpartofherkneesalmostentirelyexposed。Atthesightofthishalf-nakedandinanimatebody，allthespectatorswereaffected。Peoplesaidthatthefirstdutytopaytoadyingwomanwas，topreserveherfromthecold，tocoverher。Aphysicianexaminedthebody。hedeclaredthatallremedieswereuseless。thatMadamePeytelwasdeadandcold。

TheentreatiesofPeytelwereredoubled。hedemandedfreshsuccors，and，givingnoheedtothefatalassurancewhichhadjustbeengivenhim，requiredthatallthephysiciansintheplaceshouldbesentfor。Ascenesostrangeandsomelancholy。theincoherentaccountgivenbyPeytelofthemurderofhiswife。hisextraordinarymovements。andtheavowalwhichhecontinuedtomake，thathehaddespatchedthemurderer，Rey，withstrokesofhishammer，excitedtheattentionofLieutenantWolf，commandantofgendarmes：thatofficergaveordersfortheimmediatearrestofPeytel。butthelatterthrewhimselfintothearmsofafriend，whointercededforhim，andbeggedthepolicenotimmediatelytoseizeuponhisperson。

ThecorpseofMadamePeytelwastransportedtoherapartment。thebleedingbodyofthedomesticwaslikewisebroughtfromtheroad，whereitlay。andPeytel，askedtoexplainthecircumstance，didso……

Now，asthereislittlereasontotellthereader，whenanEnglishcounselhastoprosecuteaprisoneronthepartoftheCrownforacapitaloffence，heproducesthearticlesofhisaccusationinthemostmoderateterms，andespeciallywarnsthejurytogivetheaccusedpersonthebenefitofeverypossibledoubtthattheevidencemaygive，ormayleave。SeehowthesethingsaremanagedinFrance，andhowdifferentlytheFrenchcounselfortheCrownsetsabouthiswork。

Hefirstprepareshisactofaccusation，theopeningofwhichwehavejustread。itispublishedsixdaysbeforethetrial，sothatanunimpassioned，unprejudicedjuryhasampletimetostudyit，andtoformitsopinionsaccordingly，andtogointocourtwithahappy，justprepossessionagainsttheprisoner。

ReadthefirstpartofthePeytelactofaccusation。itisasturgidanddeclamatoryasabadromance。andasinflatedasanewspaperdocument，byanunlimitedpenny-a-liner：——ThedepartmentoftheAinisinadreadfulstateofexcitement。theinhabitantsofBelleycometroopingfromtheirbeds，——andwhatasightdotheybehold——ayoungwomanatthebottomofacarriage，touteruisselante，justoutofariver。hergarments，inspiteofthecoldandrain，raised，soastoleavetheupperpartofherkneesentirelyexposed，atwhichallthebeholderswereaffected，andcried，thattheFIRSTDUTYwastocoverherfromthecold。Thissettlesthecaseatonce。thefirstdutyofamanistocoverthelegsofthesufferer。thesecondtocallforhelp。TheeloquentSubstitutduProcureurduRoihasprejudgedthecase，inthecourseofafewsentences。Heisputtinghisreaders，amongwhomhisfuturejuryistobefound，intoaproperstateofmind。heworksonthemwithpatheticdescription，justasaromance-writerwould：therainpoursintorrents。itisadrearyeveninginNovember。theyoungcreature’ssituationisneatlydescribed。thedistrustwhichenteredintothebreastofthekeenoldofficerofgendarmesstronglypainted，thesuspicionswhichmight，ormightnot，havebeenentertainedbytheinhabitants，eloquentlyargued。

Howdidtheadvocateknowthatthepeoplehadsuch？didallthebystanderssayaloud，IsuspectthatthisisacaseofmurderbyMonsieurPeytel，andthathisstoryaboutthedomesticisalldeception？ordidtheygoofftothemayor，andregistertheirsuspicion？orwastheadvocatetheretohearthem？Nothe。buthepaintsyouthewholescene，asthoughithadexisted，andgivesfullaccountsofsuspicions，asiftheyhadbeenfacts，positive，patent，staring，thateverybodycouldseeandswearto。

Havingthusprimedhisaudience，andpreparedthemforthetestimonyoftheaccusedparty，Now，sayshe，withafineshowofjustice，letushearMonsieurPeytel。andthatworthy’snarrativeisgivenasfollows：——

HesaidthathehadleftMacononthe31stOctober，ateleveno’clockinthemorning，inordertoreturntoBelley，withhiswifeandservant。Thelatterdrove，orled，anopencar。hehimselfwasdrivinghiswifeinafour-wheeledcarriage，drawnbyonehorse：

theyreachedBourgatfiveo’clockintheevening。leftitatseven，tosleepatPontd’Ain，wheretheydidnotarrivebeforemidnight。Duringthejourney，PeytelthoughtheremarkedthatReyhadslackenedhishorse’space。Whentheyalightedattheinn，Peytelbadehimdepositinhischamber7，500francs，whichhecarriedwithhim。butthedomesticrefusedtodoso，sayingthattheinngatesweresecure，andtherewasnodanger。Peytelwas，therefore，obligedtocarryhismoneyupstairshimself。Thenextday，the1stNovember，theysetoutontheirjourneyagain，atnineo’clockinthemorning。Louisdidnotcome，accordingtocustom，totakehismaster’sorders。TheyarrivedatTenayaboutthree，stoppedthereacoupleofhourstodine，anditwaseighto’clockwhentheyreachedthebourgofRossillon，wheretheywaitedhalfanhourtobaitthehorses。

AstheyleftRossillon，theweatherbecamebad，andtherainbegantofall：Peyteltoldhisdomestictogetacoveringforthearticlesintheopenchariot。butReyrefusedtodoso，adding，inanironicaltone，thattheweatherwasfine。Forsomedayspast，Peytelhadremarkedthathisservantwasgloomy，andscarcelyspokeatall。

Aftertheyhadgoneabout500pacesbeyondthebridgeofAndert，thatcrossestheriverFurans，andascendedtotheleaststeeppartofthehillofDarde，Peytelcriedouttohisservant，whowasseatedinthecar，tocomedownfromit，andfinishtheascentonfoot。

Atthismomentaviolentwindwasblowingfromthesouth，andtherainwasfallingheavily：Peytelwasseatedbackintherightcornerofthecarriage，andhiswife，whowasclosetohim，wasasleep，withherheadonhisleftshoulder。Allofasuddenheheardthereportofafire-arm(hehadseenthelightofitatsomepaces’distance)，andMadamePeytelcriedout，’Mypoorhusband，takeyourpistols。’thehorsewasfrightened，andbegantotrot。

Peytelimmediatelydrewthepistol，andfired，fromtheinteriorofthecarriage，uponanindividualwhomhesawrunningbythesideoftheroad。

Notknowing，asyet，thathiswifehadbeenhit，hejumpedoutononesideofthecarriage，whileMadamePeyteldescendedfromtheother。andhefiredasecondpistolathisdomestic，LouisRey，whomhehadjustrecognized。Redoublinghispace，hecameupwithRey，andstruckhim，frombehind，ablowwiththehammer。Reyturnedatthis，andraiseduphisarmtostrikehismasterwiththepistolwhichhehadjustdischargedathim。butPeytel，morequickthanhe，gavethedomesticablowwiththehammer，whichfelledhimtotheground(hefellhisfaceforwards)，andthenPeytel，bestridingthebody，despatchedhim，althoughthebrigandaskedformercy。

Henowbegantothinkofhiswifeandranback，callingouthernamerepeatedly，andseekingforher，invain，onbothsidesoftheroad。ArrivedatthebridgeofAndert，herecognizedhiswife，stretchedinafield，coveredwithwater，whichborderedtheFurans。Thishorriblediscoveryhadsomuchthemoreastonishedhim，becausehehadnoidea，untilnow，thathiswifehadbeenwounded：heendeavoredtodrawherfromthewater。anditwasonlyafterconsiderableexertionsthathewasenabledtodoso，andtoplaceher，withherfacetowardstheground，onthesideoftheroad。Supposingthat，here，shewouldbeshelteredfromanyfartherdanger，andbelieving，asyet，thatshewasonlywounded，hedeterminedtoaskforhelpatalonehouse，situatedontheroadtowardsRossillon。andatthisinstantheperceived，withoutatallbeingabletoexplainhow，thathishorsehadfollowedhimbacktothespot，havingturnedbackofitsownaccord，fromtheroadtoBelley。

Thehouseatwhichheknockedwasinhabitedbytwomen，ofthenameofThannet，fatherandson，whoopenedthedoortohim，andwhomheentreatedtocometohisaid，sayingthathiswifehadjustbeenassassinatedbyhisservant。TheelderThannetapproachedto，andexaminedthebody，andtoldPeytelthatitwasquitedead。heandhissontookupthecorpse，andplaceditinthebottomofthecarriage，whichtheyallmountedthemselves，andpursuedtheirroutetoBelley。Inordertodoso，theyhadtopassbyRey’sbody，ontheroad，whichPeytelwishedtocrushunderthewheelsofhiscarriage。Itwastorobhimof7，500francs，saidPeytel，thattheattackhadbeenmade。

Ourfriend，theProcureur’sSubstitut，hasdropped，here，theeloquentandpatheticstylealtogether，andonlygivestheunluckyprisoner’snarrativeinthebaldestandmostunimaginativestyle。

Howisajurytolistentosuchafellow？theyoughttocondemnhim，ifbutformakingsuchanuninterestingstatement。WhynothavehelpedpoorPeytelwithsomeofthoserhetoricalgraceswhichhavebeensoplentifullybestowedintheopeningpartoftheactofaccusation？Hemighthavesaid：——

MonsieurPeytelisaneminentnotaryatBelley。heisamandistinguishedforhisliteraryandscientificacquirements。hehaslivedlonginthebestsocietyofthecapital。hehadbeenbutafewmonthsmarriedtothatyoungandunfortunatelady，whoselosshasplungedherbereavedhusbandintodespair——almostintomadness。

Someearlydifferenceshadmarked，itistrue，thecommencementoftheirunion。butthese，which，ascanbeprovedbyevidence，werealmostalltheunhappylady’sfault，——hadhappilyceased，togiveplacetosentimentsfarmoredelightfulandtender。Gentlemen，MadamePeytelboreinherbosomasweetpledgeoffutureconcordbetweenherselfandherhusband：inthreebriefmonthsshewastobecomeamother。

Intheexerciseofhishonorableprofession，——inwhich，tosucceed，amanmustnotonlyhavehightalents，butundoubtedprobity，——and，gentlemen，MonsieurPeytelDIDsucceed——DIDinspirerespectandconfidence，asyou，hisneighbors，wellknow——intheexercise，Isay，ofhishighcalling，MonsieurPeytel，towardstheendofOctoberlast，hadoccasiontomakeajourneyintheneighborhood，andvisitsomeofhismanyclients。

Hetravelledinhisowncarriage，hisyoungwifebesidehim。Doesthislooklikewantofaffection，gentlemen？orisitnotamarkoflove——ofloveandpaternalcareonhisparttowardsthebeingwithwhomhislotinlifewaslinked，——themotherofhiscomingchild，——

theyounggirl，whohadeverythingtogainfromtheunionwithamanofhisattainmentsofintellect，hiskindtemper，hisgreatexperience，andhishighposition？Inthismannertheytravelled，sidebyside，lovinglytogether。MonsieurPeytelwasnotalawyermerely，butamanoflettersandvariedlearning。ofthenobleandsublimescienceofgeologyhewas，especially，anardentdevotee。

(Suppose，here，ashortpanegyricupongeology。Alludetothecreationofthismightyworld，andthen，naturally，totheCreator。

FancytheconversationswhichPeytel，areligiousman，*mighthavewithhisyoungwifeuponthesubject。)

*Healwayswenttomass。itisintheevidence。

MonsieurPeytelhadlatelytakenintohisserviceamannamedLouisRey。Reywasafoundling，andhadpassedmanyyearsinaregiment——aschool，gentlemen，wheremuchbesidesbravery，alas！istaught。nay，wherethespiritwhichfamiliarizesonewithnotionsofbattleanddeath，Ifear，mayfamiliarizeonewithideas，too，ofmurder。Rey，adashingrecklessfellow，fromthearmy，hadlatelyenteredPeytel’sservice，wastreatedbyhimwiththemostsingularkindness。accompaniedhim(havingchargeofanothervehicle)uponthejourneybeforealludedto。andKNEWTHATHIS

MASTERCARRIEDWITHHIMACONSIDERABLESUMOFMONEY。foramanlikeReyanenormoussum，7，500francs。Atmidnightonthe1stofNovember，asMadamePeytelandherhusbandwerereturninghome，anattackwasmadeupontheircarriage。Remember，gentlemen，thehouratwhichtheattackwasmade。rememberthesumofmoneythatwasinthecarriage。andrememberthattheSavoyfrontierISWITHINA

LEAGUEOFTHESPOTwherethedesperatedeedwasdone。

Now，mydearBriefless，oughtnotMonsieurProcureur，incommonjusticetoPeytel，afterhehadsoeloquentlyproclaimed，notthefacts，butthesuspicions，whichweighedagainstthatworthy，tohavegivenasimilarfloridaccountoftheprisoner’scase？

Insteadofthis，youwillremark，thatitistheadvocate’sendeavortomakePeytel’sstatementsasuninterestinginstyleaspossible。andthenhedemolishestheminthefollowingway：——

ScarcelywasPeytel’sstatementknown，whenthecommonsenseofthepublicroseagainstit。PeytelhadcommencedhisstoryuponthebridgeofAndert，overthecoldbodyofhiswife。Onthe2ndNovemberhehaddevelopeditindetail，inthepresenceofthephysicians，inthepresenceoftheassembledneighbors——ofthepersonswho，onthedaypreviousonly，werehisfriends。Finally，hehadcompleteditinhisinterrogatories，hisconversations，hiswritings，andletterstothemagistratesandeverywherethesewords，repeatedsooften，wereonlyreceivedwithapainfulincredulity。Thefactwasthat，besidesthesingularcharacterwhichPeytel’sappearance，attitude，andtalkhadworneversincetheevent，therewasinhisnarrativeaninexplicableenigma。itscontradictionsandimpossibilitiesweresuch，thatcalmpersonswererevoltedatit，andthatevenfriendshipitselfrefusedtobelieveit。

ThusMr。Attorneyspeaks，notforhimselfalone，butforthewholeFrenchpublic。whoseopinions，ofcourse，heknows。Peytel’sstatementisdiscreditedEVERYWHERE。thestatementwhichhehadmadeoverthecoldbodyofhiswife——themonster！Itisnotenoughsimplytoprovethatthemancommittedthemurder，buttomakethejuryviolentlyangryagainsthim，andcausethemtoshudderinthejury-box，asheexposesthehorriddetailsofthecrime。

Justice，goesonMr。Substitute(whoanswersforthefeelingsofeverybody)，DISTURBEDBYTHEPRE-OCCUPATIONSOFPUBLICOPINION，commenced，withoutdelay，themostactiveresearches。Thebodiesofthevictimsweresubmittedtotheinvestigationsofmenofart。

thewoundsandprojectileswereexamined。theplacewheretheeventtookplaceexploredwithcare。Themoralityoftheauthorofthisfrightfulscenebecametheobjectofrigorousexamination。theexigeancesoftheprisoner，theformsaffectedbyhim，hiscalculatingsilence，andhisanswers，coldlyinsulting，werefeebleobstacles。andjusticeatlengtharrived，byitsprudence，andbythediscoveriesitmade，tothemostcruelpointofcertainty。

Youseethataman’sdemeanorisheremadeacrimeagainsthim。andthatMr。Substitutewishestoconsiderhimguilty，becausehehasactuallytheaudacitytoholdhistongue。Nowfollowsatouchingdescriptionofthedomestic，LouisRey：——

LouisRey，achildoftheHospitalatLyons，wasconfided，ataveryearlyage，tosomehonestcountrypeople，withwhomhestayeduntilheenteredthearmy。Attheirhouse，andduringthislongperiodoftime，hisconduct，hisintelligence，andthesweetnessofhismannersweresuch，thatthefamilyofhisguardiansbecametohimasanadoptedfamily。andhisdeparturecausedthemthemostsincereaffliction。WhenLouisquittedthearmy，hereturnedtohisbenefactors，andwasreceivedasason。Theyfoundhimjustastheyhadeverknownhim(IacknowledgethatthispathosbeatsmyhumbledefenceofPeytelentirely)，exceptthathehadlearnedtoreadandwrite。andthecertificatesofhiscommandersprovedhimtobeagoodandgallantsoldier。

Thenecessityofcreatingsomeresourcesforhimself，obligedhimtoquithisfriends，andtoentertheserviceofMonsieurdeMontrichard，alieutenantofgendarmerie，fromwhomhereceivedfreshtestimonialsofregard。Louis，itistrue，mighthaveafondnessforwineandapassionforwomen。buthehadbeenasoldier，andthesefaultswere，accordingtothewitnesses，amplycompensatedforbyhisactivity，hisintelligence，andtheagreeablemannerinwhichheperformedhisservice。InthemonthofJuly，1839，Reyquitted，voluntarily，theserviceofM。deMontrichard。andPeytel，aboutthisperiod，meetinghimatLyons，didnothesitatetoattachhimtohisservice。Whatevermaybetheprisoner’spresentlanguage，itiscertainthatuptothedayofLouis’sdeath，heservedPeytelwithdiligenceandfidelity。

Morethanoncehismasterandmistressspokewellofhim。

EVERYBODYwhohasworked，orbeenatthehouseofMadamePeytel，hasspokeninpraiseofhischaracter。and，indeed，itmaybesaid，thatthesetestimonialsweregeneral。

Ontheverynightofthe1stofNovember，andimmediatelyafterthecatastrophe，weremarkhowPeytelbeginstomakeinsinuationsagainsthisservant。andhowartfully，inordertorenderthemmoresure，hedisseminatesthemthroughthedifferentpartsofhisnarrative。But，inthecourseoftheproceeding，thesechargeshavemetwithamostcompletedenial。Thuswefindthedisobedientservantwho，atPontd’Ain，refusedtocarrythemoney-chesttohismaster’sroom，underthepretextthatthegatesoftheinnwereclosedsecurely，occupiedwithtendingthehorsesaftertheirlongjourney：meanwhilePeytelwasstandingby，andneithermasternorservantexchangedaword，andthewitnesseswhobeheldthembothhavebornetestimonytothezealandcareofthedomestic。

Inlikemanner，wefindthattheservant，whowassoremissinthemorningastoneglecttogotohismasterfororders，wasreadyfordeparturebeforeseveno’clock，andhadeagerlyinformedhimselfwhetherMonsieurandMadamePeytelwereawake。learningfromthemaidoftheinn，thattheyhadorderednothingfortheirbreakfast。

Thisman，whorefusedtocarrywithhimacoveringforthecar，was，onthecontrary，readytotakeoffhisowncloak，andwithitshelterarticlesofsmallvalue。thisman，whohadbeenformanydayssosilentandgloomy，gave，onthecontrary，manyproofsofhisgayety——almostofhisindiscretion，speaking，atalltheinns，intermsofpraiseofhismasterandmistress。ThewaiterattheinnatDauphin，sayshewasatallyoungfellow，mildandgood-

natured。’wetalkedforsometimeabouthorses，andsuchthings。heseemedtobeperfectlynatural，andnotpre-occupiedatall。’AtPontd’Ain，hetalkedofhisbeingafoundling。oftheplacewherehehadbeenbroughtup，andwherehehadserved。andfinally，atRossillon，anhourbeforehisdeath，heconversedfamiliarlywiththemasteroftheport，andspokeonindifferentsubjects。

AllPeytel’sinsinuationsagainsthisservanthadnootherendthantoshow，ineverypointofRey’sconduct，thebehaviorofamanwhowaspremeditatingattack。Ofwhat，infact，doesheaccusehim？Ofwishingtorobhimof7，500francs，andofhavinghadrecoursetoassassination，inordertoeffecttherobbery。But，forapremeditatedcrime，considerwhatsingularimprovidencethepersonshowedwhohaddeterminedoncommittingit。whatfollyandwhatweaknessthereisintheexecutionofit。

Howmanyinsurmountableobstaclesarethereinthewayofcommittingandprofitingbycrime！OnleavingBelley，LouisRey，accordingtoPeytel’sstatement，knowingthathismasterwouldreturnwithmoney，providedhimselfwithaholsterpistol，whichMadamePeytelhadoncebeforeperceivedamonghiseffects。InPeytel’scabinetthereweresomeballs。fourofthesewerefoundinRey’strunk，onthe6thofNovember。And，inordertocommitthecrime，thisdomestichadbroughtawaywithhimapistol，andnoammunition。forPeytelhasinformedusthatRey，anhourbeforehisdeparturefromMacon，purchasedsixballsatagunsmith’s。Togainhispoint，theassassinmustimmolatehisvictims。forthis，hehasonlyonepistol，knowing，perfectlywell，thatPeytel，inallhistravels，hadtwoonhisperson。knowingthat，atalatehourofthenight，hisshotmightfailofeffect。andthat，inthiscase，hewouldbelefttothemercyofhisopponent。

Theexecutionofthecrimeis，accordingtoPeytel’saccount，stillmoresingular。Louisdoesnotgetoffthecarriage，untilPeyteltellshimtodescend。Hedoesnotthinkoftakinghismaster’slifeuntilheissurethatthelatterhashiseyesopen。

Itisdark，andthepairarecoveredinonecloak。andReyonlyfiresatthematsixpaces’distance：hefiresathazard，withoutdisquietinghimselfastothechoiceofhisvictim。andthesoldier，whowasboldenoughtoundertakethisdoublemurder，hasnotforcenorcouragetoconsummateit。Heflies，carryinginhishandauselesswhip，withaheavymantleonhisshoulders，inspiteofthedetonationoftwopistolsathisears，andtherapidstepsofanangrymasterinpursuit，whichoughttohavesethimuponsomebettermeansofescape。Andwefindthisman，fullofyouthandvigor，lyingwithhisfacetotheground，inthemidstofapublicroad，fallingwithoutastruggle，orresistance，undertheblowsofahammer！

Andsupposethemurdererhadsucceededinhiscriminalprojects，whatfruitcouldhehavedrawnfromthem？——Leaving，ontheroad，thetwobleedingbodies。obligedtoleadtwocarriagesatatime，forfearofdiscovery。notabletoreturnhimself，afterallthepainshehadtakentospeak，ateveryplaceatwhichtheyhadstopped，ofthemoneywhichhismasterwascarryingwithhim。tooprudenttoappearaloneatBelley。arrestedatthefrontier，bytheexciseofficers，whowouldpresentanimpassablebarriertohimtillmorning，whatcouldhedo，orhopetodo？TheexaminationofthecarhasshownthatRey，atthemomentofthecrime，hadneitherlinen，norclothes，noreffectsofanykind。Therewasfoundinhispockets，whenthebodywasexamined，nopassport，norcertificate。oneofhispocketscontainedaball，oflargecalibre，whichhehadshown，inplay，toagirl，attheinnatMacon，alittlehorn-handledknife，asnuff-box，alittlepacketofgunpowder，andapurse，containingonlyahalfpennyandsomestring。Hereisallthebaggage，withwhich，aftertheexecutionofhishomicidalplan，LouisReyintendedtotakerefugeinaforeigncountry。*Besidetheseabsurdcontradictions，thereisanotherremarkablefact，whichmustnotbepassedover。itisthis：——thepistolfoundbyReyisofantiqueform，andtheoriginalownerofithasbeenfound。Heisacuriosity-merchantatLyons。

and，thoughhecannotaffirmthatPeytelwasthepersonwhoboughtthispistolofhim，heperfectlyrecognizesPeytelashavingbeenafrequentcustomerathisshop！

*ThissentenceistakenfromanotherpartoftheActed’accusation。

No，wemayfearlesslyaffirmthatLouisReywasnotguiltyofthecrimewhichPeytellaystohischarge。If，tothosewhoknewhim，hismildandopendisposition，hismilitarycareer，modestandwithoutastain，thetouchingregretsofhisemployers，aresufficientproofsofhisinnocence，——thecalmandcandidobserver，whoconsidershowthecrimewasconceived，wasexecuted，andwhatconsequenceswouldhaveresultedfromit，willlikewiseacquithim，andfreehimoftheodiousimputationwhichPeytelendeavorstocastuponhismemory。

Butjusticehasremovedtheveil，withwhichanimpioushandendeavoredtocoveritself。Already，onthenightofthe1stofNovember，suspicionwasawakenedbytheextraordinaryagitationofPeytel。bythoseexcessiveattentionstowardshiswife，whichcamesolate。bythatexcessiveandnoisygrief，andbythosecalculatedburstsofsorrow，whicharesuchasNaturedoesnotexhibit。Thecriminal，whomthepublicconsciencehadfixedupon。themanwhosefrightfulcombinationshavebeenlaidbare，andwhosefalsehoods，stepbystep，havebeenexposed，duringtheproceedingsprevioustothetrial。themurderer，atwhosehandsaheart-strickenfamily，andsocietyatlarge，demandsanaccountofthebloodofawife——

thatmurdererisPeytel。

When，mydearBriefless，youareajudge(asImakenodoubtyouwillbe，whenyouhaveleftoffthecluballnight，cigar-smokingofmornings，andreadingnovelsinbed)，willyoueverfinditinyourhearttoorderafellow-sinner’sheadoffuponsuchevidenceasthis？BecausearomanticSubstitutduProcureurdeRoichoosestocomposeandrecitealittledrama，anddrawtearsfromjuries，letushopethatsevereRhadamanthinejudgesarenottobemeltedbysuchtrumpery。Onewantsbutthedescriptionofthecharacterstorenderthepiececomplete，asthus：——

PersonagesCostumes。

SEBASTIANPEYTALMeurtrierHabillementcompletdenotaireperfide：figurepale，barbenoire，cheveuxnoirs。

LOUISREYSoldatretire，bon，Costumeordinaire。ilportesurbrave，franc，jovialsesepaulesunecouverturedeaimantlevin，lescheval。

femmes，lagaiete，sesmaitressurtout。

vraiFrancais，enfinWOLFLieutenantdegendarmerie。

FELICITED’ALCAZARFemmeetvictimedePeytel。

Medecins，Villageois，Fillesd’Auberge，Garconsd’Ecurie，&c。&c。

Lascenesepassesurlepontd’Andert，entreMaconetBelley。Ilestminuit。Lapluietombe：lestonnerresgrondent。Lecielestconvertdenuages，etsillonned’eclairs。

AllthesepersonagesarebroughtintoplayintheProcureur’sdrama。thevillagerscomeinwiththeirchorus。theoldlieutenantofgendarmeswithhissuspicions。Rey’sfranknessandgayety，theromanticcircumstancesofhisbirth，hisgallantryandfidelity，areallintroduced，inordertoformacontrastwithPeytel，andtocalldownthejury’sindignationagainstthelatter。Butaretheseproofs？oranythinglikeproofs？Andthesuspicions，thataretoserveinsteadofproofs，whatarethey？

Myservant，LouisRey，wasverysombreandreserved，saysPeytel。

herefusedtocallmeinthemorning，tocarrymymoney-chesttomyroom，tocovertheopencarwhenitrained。TheProsecutordisprovesthisbystatingthatReytalkedwiththeinnmaidsandservants，askedifhismasterwasup，andstoodintheinn-yard，groomingthehorses，withhismasterbyhisside，neitherspeakingtotheother。Mighthenothavetalkedtothemaids，andyetbeensombrewhenspeakingtohismaster？Mighthenothaveneglectedtocallhismaster，andyethaveaskedwhetherhewasawake？Mighthenothavesaidthattheinn-gatesweresafe，outofhearingoftheostlerwitness？Mr。Substitute’sanswerstoPeytel’sstatementsarenoansweratall。EverywordPeytelsaidmightbetrue，andyetLouisReymightnothavecommittedthemurder。oreverywordmighthavebeenfalse，andyetLouisReymighthavecommittedthemurder。

Then，saysMr。Substitute，howmanyobstaclesaretheretothecommissionofthecrime？Andtheseare——

1。ReyprovidedhimselfwithONEholsterpistol，tokilltwopeople，knowingwellthatoneofthemhadalwaysabraceofpistolsabouthim。

2。Hedoesnotthinkoffiringuntilhismaster’seyesareopen：

firesatsixpaces，notcaringatwhomhefires，andthenrunsaway。

3。Hecouldnothaveintendedtokillhismaster，becausehehadnopassportinhispocket，andnoclothes。andbecausehemusthavebeendetainedatthefrontieruntilmorning。andbecausehewouldhavehadtodrivetwocarriages，inordertoavoidsuspicion。

4。And，amostsingularcircumstance，theverypistolwhichwasfoundbyhissidehadbeenboughtattheshopofamanatLyons，whoperfectlyrecognizedPeytelasoneofhiscustomers，thoughhecouldnotsayhehadsoldthatparticularweapontoPeytel。

Doesitfollow，fromthis，thatLouisReyisnotthemurderer，muchmore，thatPeytelis？LookatargumentNo。1。Reyhadnoneedtokilltwopeople：hewantedthemoney，andnottheblood。SupposehehadkilledPeytel，wouldhenothavemasteredMadamePeyteleasily？——aweakwoman，inanexcessivelydelicatesituation，incapableofmuchenergy，atthebestoftimes。

2。Hedoesnotfiretillheknowshismaster’seyesareopen。

Why，onastormynight，doesamandrivingacarriagegotosleep？

WasReytowaituntilhismastersnored？Hefiresatsixpaces，notcaringwhomhehits——andmightnotthishappentoo？Thenightisnotsodarkbutthathecanseehismaster，inHISUSUAL

PLACE，driving。Hefiresandhits——whom？MadamePeytel，whohadleftherplace，ANDWASWRAPPEDUPWITHPEYTELINHISCLOAK。Shescreamsout，Husband，takeyourpistols。Reyknowsthathismasterhasabrace，thinksthathehashitthewrongperson，and，asPeytelfiresonhim，runsaway。Peytelfollows，hammerinhand。

ashecomesupwiththefugitive，hedealshimablowonthebackofthehead，andReyfalls——hisfacetotheground。Isthereanythingunnaturalinthisstory？——anythingsomonstrouslyunnatural，thatis，thatitmightnotbetrue？

3。Theseobjectionsareabsurd。Whyneedamanhavechangeoflinen？Ifhehadtakennoneforthejourney，whyshouldhewantanyfortheescape？Whyneedhedrivetwocarriages？——Hemighthavedrivenbothintotheriver，andMrs。Peytelinone。Whyishetogotothedouane，andthrusthimselfintotheveryjawsofdanger？Aretherenotathousandwaysforamantopassafrontier？Dosmugglers，whentheyhavetopassfromonecountrytoanother，chooseexactlythosespotswhereapoliceisplaced？

And，finally，thegunsmithofLyons，whoknowsPeytelquitewell，cannotsaythathesoldthepistoltohim。thatis，hedidNOTsellthepistoltohim。foryouhaveonlyoneman’sword，inthiscase(Peytel’s)，tothecontrary。andthetestimony，asfarasitgoes，isinhisfavor。Isay，mylud，andgentlemenofthejury，thattheseobjectionsofmylearnedfriend，whoisengagedfortheCrown，areabsurd，frivolous，monstrous。thattoSUSPECTawaythelifeofamanuponsuchsuppositionsasthese，iswicked，illegal，andinhuman。and，whatismore，thatLouisRey，ifhewantedtocommitthecrime——ifhewantedtopossesshimselfofalargesumofmoney，chosethebesttimeandspotforsodoing。and，nodoubt，wouldhavesucceeded，ifFatehadnot，inawonderfulmanner，causedMadamePeytelTOTAKEHERHUSBAND’SPLACE，andreceivetheballintendedforhiminherownhead。