Sheenteredhernewhouse，andwentfromonesurprisetoanother。A
granddinnerwastoprecedetheball，towhichGraslinhadinvitednearlyallLimoges。Thedinner，giventothebishop，theprefect，thejudgeofthecourt，theattorney—general，themayor，thegeneral，andGraslin’sformerpartnerswiththeirwives，wasatriumphforthebride，who，likeallotherpersonswhoaresimpleandnatural，showedcharmsthatwerenotexpectedinher。Neitherofthebridalpaircoulddance;Veroniquecontinuedthereforetodothehonorstoherguests，andtowintheesteemandgoodgracesofnearlyallthepersonswhowerepresentedtoher，askingGrossetete，whotookanhonestlikingtoher，forinformationaboutthecompany。Shemadenomistakesandcommittednoblunders。Itwasduringthiseveningthatthetwoformerpartnersofthebankerannouncedtheamountofthedowry（immenseforLimousin）givenbytheSauviatstotheirdaughter。Atnineo’clocktheoldiron—dealerreturnedhomeandwenttobed，leavinghiswifetopresideoverthebride’sretiring。ItwassaidbyeveryonethroughoutthetownthatMadameGraslinwasveryplain，thoughwellmade。
OldSauviatnowwounduphisbusinessandsoldhishouseintown。Heboughtalittlecountry—placeontheleftbankoftheViennebetweenLimogesandCluzeau，tenminutes’walkfromthesuburbofSaint—
Martial，whereheintendedtofinishhisdaystranquillywithhiswife。TheoldcouplehadanapartmentinthehotelGraslinandalwaysdinedonceortwiceaweekwiththeirdaughter，who，asoften，madetheirhouseinthecountrytheobjectofherwalks。
ThisenforcedrestalmostkilledoldSauviat。Happily，Graslinfoundameansofoccupyinghisfather—in—law。In1823thebankerwasforcedtotakepossessionofaporcelainmanufactory，totheproprietorsofwhichhehadadvancedlargesums，whichtheyfoundthemselvesunabletorepayexceptbythesaleoftheirfactory，whichtheymadetohim。
Bythehelpofhisbusinessconnectionsandbyinvestingalargeamountofpropertyintheconcern，GraslinmadeitoneofthefinestmanufactoriesofLimogeswareinthetown。Afterwardsheresolditatafineprofit;meantimeheplaceditunderthesuperintendenceofhisfather—in—law，who，inspiteofhisseventy—twoyears，countedformuchinthereturnofprosperitytotheestablishment，whohimselfrenewedhisyouthintheemployment。Graslinwasthenabletoattendtohislegitimatebusinessofbankingwithoutanxietyastothemanufactory。
Sauviatdiedin1827fromanaccident。Whiletakingaccountofstockhefellintoa/charasse/，——asortofcratewithanopengratinginwhichthechinawaspacked;hislegwasslightlyinjured，soslightlythathepaidnoattentiontoit;gangrenesetin;hewouldnotconsenttoamputation，andthereforedied。ThewidowgaveupabouttwohundredandfiftythousandfrancswhichcametoherfromSauviat’sestate，reservingonlyastipendoftwohundredfrancsamonth，whichamplysufficedforherwants。Graslinboundhimselftopayherthatsumduly。Shekeptherlittlehouseinthecountry，andlivedtherealonewithoutaservantandagainsttheremonstrancesofherdaughter，whocouldnotinducehertoalterthisdetermination，towhichsheclungwiththeobstinacypeculiartooldpersons。MadameSauviatcamenearlyeverydayintoLimogestoseeherdaughter，andthelatterstillcontinuedtomakehermother’shouse，fromwhichwasacharmingviewoftheriver，theobjectofherwalks。FromtheroadleadingtoitcouldbeseenthatislandlonglovedbyVeroniqueandcalledbyhertheIledeFrance。
InordernottocomplicateourhistoryoftheGraslinhouseholdwiththeforegoingincidents，wehavethoughtitbesttoendthatoftheSauviatsbyanticipatingevents，whicharemoreoverusefulasexplainingtheprivateandhiddenlifewhichMadameGraslinnowled。
Theoldmother，noticingthatGraslin’smiserliness，whichreturneduponhim，mighthamperherdaughter，wasforsometimeunwillingtoresignthepropertylefttoherbyherhusband。ButVeronique，unabletoimagineacaseinwhichawomanmightdesiretheuseofherownproperty，urgedituponhermotherwithreasonsofgreatgenerosity，andoutofgratitudetoGraslinforrestoringtoherthelibertyandfreedomofayounggirl。Butthisisanticipating。
TheunusualsplendorwhichaccompaniedGraslin’smarriagehaddisturbedallhishabitsandconstantlyannoyedhim。Themindofthegreatfinancierwasaverysmallone。Veroniquehadhadnomeansofjudgingthemanwithwhomshewastopassherlife。Duringhisfifty—
fivevisitshehadletherseenothingbutthebusinessman，theindefatigableworker，whoconceivedandsustainedgreatenterprises，andanalyzedpublicaffairs，bringingthemalwaystothecrucialtestoftheBank。FascinatedbythemillionofferedtohimbySauviat，heshowedhimselfgenerousbycalculation。Carriedawaybytheinterestsofhismarriageandbywhathecalledhis\"folly，\"namely，thehousewhichstillgoesbythenameofthehotelGraslin，hedidthingsonalargescale。Havingboughthorses，acaleche，andacoupe，henaturallyusedthemtoreturntheweddingvisitsandgotothosedinnersandballs，calledthe\"retoursdenoces，\"whichtheheadsoftheadministrationandtherichfamiliesofLimogesgavetothenewlymarriedpair。Underthisimpulsion，whichcarriedhimentirelyoutofhisnaturalsphere，GraslinsenttoParisforaman—cookandtookareceptionday。Forayearhekeptthepaceofamanwhopossessesafortuneofsixteenhundredthousandfrancs，andhebecameofcoursethemostnotedpersonageinLimoges。Duringthisyearhegenerouslyputintohiswife’spurseeverymonthtwenty—fivegoldpiecesoftwentyfrancseach。
SocietyconcerneditselfmuchaboutVeroniquefromthedayofhermarriage，forshewasaboontoitscuriosity，whichhaslittletofeedonintheprovinces。Veroniquewasallthemorestudiedbecauseshehadappearedinthesocialworldlikeaphenomenon;butoncethere，sheremainedalwayssimpleandmodest，intheattitudeofapersonwhoisobservinghabits，customs，manners，thingsunknowntoher，andendeavoringtoconformtothem。Alreadyvoteduglybutwell—
shaped，shewasnowdeclaredkindlybutstupid。Shewaslearningsomanythings，shehadsomuchtohearandtoseethatherlooksandspeechdidcertainlygivesomereasonforthisjudgment。Sheshowedasortoftorporwhichresembledlackofmind。Marriage，thathardcalling，asshesaid，forwhichtheChurch，theCode，andhermotherexhortedhertoresignationandobedience，underpainoftransgressingallhumanlawsandcausingirreparableevil，threwherintoadazedanddizzycondition，whichamountedsometimestoaspeciesofinwarddelirium。
Silentandself—contained，shelistenedasmuchtoherselfasshedidtoothers。Feelingwithinherthemostviolent\"difficultyofexisting，\"touseanexpressionofFontenelle’s，whichwasconstantlyincreasing，shebecameterrifiedatherself。Natureresistedthecommandsofthemind，thebodydeniedthewill。Thepoorcreature，caughtinthenet，weptonthebreastofthatgreatMotherofthepoorandtheafflicted，——shewentforcomforttotheChurch;herpietyredoubled，sheconfidedtheassaultsofthedemontoherconfessor;
sheprayedtoheavenforsuccor。Never，atanyperiodofherlife，didshefulfilherreligiousdutieswithsuchfervor。Thedespairofnotlovingherhusbandflungherviolentlyatthefootofthealtar，wheredivineandconsolatoryvoicesurgedhertopatience。Shewaspatient，shewasgentle，andshecontinuedtoliveon，hopingalwaysforthehappinessofmaternity。
\"DidyounoticeMadameGraslinthismorning？\"thewomenwouldsaytoeachother。\"Marriagedoesn’tagreewithher;sheisactuallygreen。\"
\"Yes，\"someofthemwouldreply;\"butwouldyougiveyourdaughtertoamanlikeGraslin？Nowomancouldmarryhimwithimpunity。\"
NowthatGraslinwasmarried，allthemotherswhohadcourtedhimfortenyearspastpursuedhimwithsarcasms。
Veroniquegrewvisiblythinnerandreallyugly;hereyeslookedweary，herfeaturescoarsened，hermannerwasshyandawkward;sheacquiredthatairofcoldandmelancholyrigidityforwhichtheultra—piousaresooftenblamed。Herskintookonagrayishtone;shedraggedherselflanguidlyaboutduringthisfirstyearofmarriedlife，ordinarilysobrilliantforayoungwife。Shetriedtodiverthermindbyreading，profitingbythelibertyofmarriedwomentoreadwhattheyplease。
ShereadthenovelsofWalterScott，thepoemsofLordByron，theworksofSchillerandofGoethe，andmuchelseofmodernandalsoancientliterature。Shelearnedtorideahorse，andtodanceandtodraw。Shepaintedwater—colorsandmadesepiasketches，turningardentlytoallthoseresourceswhichwomenemploytobearthewearinessoftheirsolitude。Shegaveherselfthatsecondeducationwhichmostwomenderivefromaman，butwhichshederivedfromherselfonly。
Thenaturalsuperiorityofafree，sincerespirit，broughtup，asitwereinadesertandstrengthenedbyreligion，hadgivenherasortofuntrammelledgrandeurandcertainneeds，towhichtheprovincialworldshelivedinofferednosustenance。AllbookspicturedLovetoher，andshesoughtfortheevidenceofitsexistence，butnowherecouldsheseethepassionofwhichsheread。Lovewasinherheart，likeseedsintheearth，awaitingtheactionofthesun。Herdeepmelancholy，causedbyconstantmeditationonherself，broughtherbackbyhiddenby—waystothebrilliantdreamsofhergirlishdays。Manyatimeshemusthavelivedagainthatoldromanticpoem，makingherselfboththeactorandthesubjectofit。Againshesawthatislandbathedinlight，flowery，fragrant，caressingtohersoul。Oftenherpallideyeswanderedaroundasalonwithpiercingcuriosity。ThemenwerealllikeGraslin。Shestudiedthem，andthensheseemedtoquestiontheirwives;butnothingonthefacesofthosewomenrevealedaninwardanguishliketohers，andshereturnedhomesadandgloomyanddistressedaboutherself。Theauthorsshehadreadinthemorningansweredtothefeelingsinhersoul;theirthoughtspleasedher;butatnightsheheardonlyemptywords，notevenpresentedinalivelyway，——dull，empty，foolishconversationsinpettylocalmatters，orpersonalitiesofnointeresttoher。Shewasoftensurprisedattheheatdisplayedindiscussionswhichconcernednofeelingorsentiment——tohertheessenceofexistence，thesouloflife。
Oftenshewasseenwithfixedeyes，mentallyabsorbed，thinkingnodoubtofthedaysofheryouthfulignorancespentinthatchamberfullofharmoniesnowforeverpassedaway。Shefeltahorriblerepugnanceagainstdroppingintothegulfofpettinessinwhichthewomenamongwhomshelivedwerefloundering。Thisrepugnance，stampedonherforehead，onherlips，andill—disguised，wastakenfortheinsolenceofaparvenue。MadameGraslinbegantoobserveonallfacesacertaincoldness;shefeltinallremarksanacrimony，thecausesofwhichwereunknowntoher，forshehadnointimatefriendtoenlightenoradviseher。Injustice，whichangerslittleminds，bringsloftiersoulstoquestionthemselves，andcommunicatesaspeciesofhumilitytothem。Veroniquecondemnedherself，endeavoringtoseeherownfaults。
Shetriedtobeaffable;theycalledherfalse。Shegrewmoregentlestill;theysaidshewasahypocrite，andherpiousdevotionhelpedonthecalumny。Shespentmoney，gavedinnersandballs，andtheytaxedherwithpride。
Unsuccessfulinalltheseattempts，unjustlyjudged，rebuffedbythepettyandtormentingpridewhichcharacterizesprovincialsociety，whereeachindividualisarmedwithpretensionsandtheirattendantuneasiness，MadameGraslinfellbackintouttersolitude。ShereturnedwitheagernesstothearmsoftheChurch。Hergreatsoul，clothedwithsoweakaflesh，showedherthemultipliedcommandmentsofCatholicismassomanystonesplacedforprotectionalongtheprecipicesoflife，somanypropsbroughtbycharitablehandstosustainhumanweaknessonitswearyway;andshefollowed，withgreaterrigorthanever，eventhesmallestreligiouspractices。
OnthistheliberalsofthetownclassedMadameGraslinamongthe/devotes/，theultras。TothedifferentanimositiesVeroniquehadinnocentlyacquired，thevirulenceofpartyfeelingnowaddeditsperiodicalexasperation。Butasthisostracismtooknothingreallyfromher，shequietlyleftsocietyandlivedinbookswhichofferedhersuchinfiniteresources。Shemeditatedonwhatsheread，shecomparedsystems，shewidenedimmeasurablythehorizonsofherintellectandtheextentofhereducation;inthiswaysheopenedthegatesofhersoultocuriosity。
Duringthisperiodofresolutestudy，inwhichreligionsupportedandmaintainedhermind，sheobtainedthefriendshipofMonsieurGrossetete，oneofthoseoldmenwhosementalsuperioritygrowsrustyinprovinciallife，butwho，whentheycomeincontactwithaneagermind，recoversomethingoftheirformerbrilliancy。ThegoodmantookanearnestinterestinVeronique，who，torewardhimfortheflatteringwarmthofheartwhicholdmenshowtothosetheylike，displayedbeforehim，andforthefirsttimeinherlife，thetreasuresofhersoulandtheacquirementsofhermind，cultivatedsosecretly，andnowfullofblossom。AnextractfromaletterwrittenbyheraboutthistimetoMonsieurGrossetetewillshowtheconditionofthemindofawomanwhowaslatertogivesignalproofsofafirmandloftynature:——
\"Theflowersyousentmefortheballwerecharming，buttheysuggestedharshreflections。Thoseprettycreaturesgatheredbyyou，anddoomedtowiltuponmybosomtoadornafete，mademethinkofothersthatliveanddieunseeninthedepthsofyourwoods，theirfragranceneverinhaledbyanyone。IaskedmyselfwhyIwasdancingthere，whyIwasdeckedwithflowers，justasI
askGodwhyhehasplacedmetoliveinthisworld。
\"Yousee，myfriend，allisasnaretotheunhappy;thesmallestmatterbringsthesickmindbacktoitswoes;butthegreatestevilofcertainwoesisthepersistencywhichmakesthemafixedideapervadingourlives。Aconstantsorrowoughtrathertobeadivineinspiration。Youloveflowersforthemselves，whereasI
lovethemasIlovetolistentofinemusic。So，asIwassaying，thesecretofamassofthingsescapesme。You，myoldfriend，youhaveapassion，——thatofthehorticulturist。Whenyoureturntotowninspiremewiththattaste，sothatImayrushtomygreenhousewitheagerfeet，asyougotoyourstowatchthedevelopmentofyourplants，tobudandbloomwiththem，toadmirewhatyoucreate，——thenewcolors，theunexpectedvarieties，whichexpandandgrowbeneathyoureyesbythevirtueofyourcare。
\"Mygreenhouse，theoneIwatch，isfilledwithsufferingsouls。
ThemiseriesItrytolessensaddenmyheart;andwhenItakethemuponmyself，when，afterfindingsomeyoungwomanwithoutclothingforherbabe，someoldmanwantingbread，Ihavesuppliedtheirneeds，theemotionstheirdistressanditsreliefhavecausedmedonotsufficemysoul。Ah，friend，Ifeelwithinmeuntoldpowers——forevil，possibly，——whichnothingcanlower，whichthesternestcommandsofourreligionareunabletoabase！Sometimes，whenIgotoseemymother，walkingaloneamongthefields，Iwanttocryaloud，andIdoso。Itseemstomethatmybodyisaprisoninwhichsomeevilgeniusisholdingashudderingcreaturewhileawaitingthemysteriouswordswhicharetoburstitsobstructiveform。
\"Butthatcomparisonisnotajustone。Inmeitseemstobethebodythatseeksescape，ifImaysayso。Religionfillsmysoul，booksandtheirrichesoccupymymind。Why，then，doIdesiresomeanguishwhichshalldestroytheenervatingpeaceofmyexistence？
\"Oh，ifsomesentiment，somemaniathatIcouldcultivate，doesnotcomeintomylife，IfeelIshallsinkatlastintothegulfwhereallideasaredulled，wherecharacterdeteriorates，motivesslacken，virtueslosetheirbackbone，andalltheforcesofthesoularescattered，——agulfinwhichIshallnolongerbethebeingNaturemeantmetobe！
\"Thisiswhatmybittercomplainingsmean。Butdonotletthemhinderyoufromsendingmethoseflowers。Yourfriendshipissosoothingandsofulloflovingkindnessthatithasforthelastfewmonthsalmostreconciledmetomyself。Yes，itmakesmehappytohaveyoucastaglanceuponmysoul，atoncesobarrenandsofullofbloom;andIamthankfulforeverygentlewordyousaytoonewhoridesthephantomsteedofdreams，andreturnsworn—out。\"
Attheendofthethirdyearofhismarriedlife，Graslin，observingthathiswifenolongerusedherhorses，andfindingagoodmarketforthem，soldthem。Healsosoldthecarriages，sentawaythecoachman，letthebishophavehisman—cook，andcontentedhimselfwithawoman。
Henolongergavethemonthlysumtohiswife，tellingherthathewouldpayallbills。Hethoughthimselfthemostfortunateofhusbandsinmeetingnooppositionwhatevertotheseproceedingsfromthewomanwhohadbroughthimamillionoffrancsasadowry。MadameGraslin，broughtupfromchildhoodwithouteverseeingmoney，orbeingmadetofeelthatitwasanindispensableelementinlife，deservednopraisewhateverforthisapparentgenerosity。Graslinevennoticedinacornerofthesecretaryallthesumshehadevergivenher，lessthemoneyshehadbestowedincharityorspentuponherdress，thecostofwhichwasmuchlessenedbytheprofusionofherweddingtrousseau。
GraslinboastedofVeroniquetoallLimogesasbeingamodelwife。Henextregrettedthemoneyspentonthehouse，andheorderedthefurnituretobeallpackedawayorcoveredup。Hiswife’sbedroom，dressing—room，andboudoirwerealonesparedfromtheseprotectivemeasures;whichprotectnothing，forfurnitureisinjuredjustasmuchbybeingcoveredupasbybeingleftuncovered。Graslinhimselflivedalmostentirelyontheground—floorofthehouse，wherehehadhisoffice，andresumedhisoldbusinesshabitswithavidity。Hethoughthimselfanexcellenthusbandbecausehewentupstairstobreakfastanddinedwithhiswife;buthisunpunctualitywassogreatthatitwasnotmorethantentimesamonththathebeganamealwithhe;hehadexacted，outofcourtesy，thatsheshouldneverwaitforhim。
Veroniquedid，however，alwaysremainintheroomwhileherhusbandtookhismeals，servinghimherself，thatshemightatleastperformvoluntarilysomeofthevisibleobligationsofawife。
Thebanker，towhomthethingsofmarriagewereveryindifferent，andwhohadseennothinginhiswifebutsevenhundredandfiftythousandfrancs，hadneveronceperceivedVeronique’srepugnancetohim。LittlebylittlehenowabandonedMadameGraslinforhisbusiness。Whenhewishedtoputabedintheroomadjoininghisofficeontheground—
floor，Veroniquehastenedtocomplywiththerequest。Sothatthreeyearsaftertheirmarriagethesetwoill—assortedbeingsreturnedtotheiroriginalestate，eachequallypleasedandhappytodoso。Themoneyedman，possessingeighteenhundredthousandfrancs，returnedwithallthemoreeagernesstohisoldavaricioushabitsbecausehehadmomentarilyquittedthem。Histwoclerksandtheoffice—boywerebetterlodgedandratherbetterfed，andthatwastheonlydifferencebetweenthepresentandthepast。Hiswifehadacookandmaid（twoindispensableservants）;butexceptfortheactualnecessitiesoflife，notapennylefthiscoffersforhishousehold。
Happyintheturnwhichthingswerenowtaking，Veroniquesawintheevidentsatisfactionofthebankertheabsolutionforthisseparationwhichshewouldneverhaveaskedforherself。ShehadnoconceptionthatshewasasdisagreeabletoGraslinasGraslinwasrepulsivetoher。Thissecretdivorcemadeherbothsadandjoyful。Shehadalwayslookedtomotherhoodforaninterestinlife;butuptothistime（1828）thecouplehadhadnoprospectofafamily。
IV
THEHISTORYOFMANYMARRIEDWOMENINTHEPROVINCES
Sonow，inhermagnificenthouseandenviedforherwealthbyallthetown，MadameGraslinrecoveredthesolitudeofherearlyyearsinherfather’shouse，lesstheglowofhopeandtheyouthfuljoysofignorance。Shelivedamongtheruinsofhercastlesintheair，enlightenedbysadexperience，sustainedbyreligiousfaith，occupiedbythecareofthepoor，whomsheloadedwithbenefits。Shemadeclothesforthebabies，gavemattressesandsheetstothosewhosleptonstraw;shewentamongthepoorherself，followedbyhermaid，agirlfromAuvergnewhomhermotherprocuredforher，andwhoattachedherselfbodyandsoultohermistress。Veroniquemadeanhonorablespyofher，sendinghertodiscovertheplaceswheresufferingcouldbestilled，povertysoftened。
Thisactivebenevolence，carriedonwithstrictattentiontoreligiousduties，washiddeninthedeepestsecrecyanddirectedbythevariousrectorsinthetown，withwhomVeroniquehadafullunderstandinginallhercharitabledeeds，soasnottosufferthemoneysoneededforunmeritedmisfortunestofallintothehandsofvice。ItwasduringthisperiodofherlifethatshewonafriendshipquiteasstrongandquiteaspreciousasthatofoldGrossetete。Shebecamethebelovedlambofadistinguishedpriest，whowaspersecutedforhistruemerits，whichwerewhollymisunderstood，oneofthetwogrand—vicarsofthediocese，namedtheAbbeDutheil。
ThispriestbelongedtotheportionoftheFrenchclergywhoinclinetowardcertainconcessions，whowouldbegladtoassociatetheChurchwiththepeople’sinterests，andsoenableittoregain，throughtheapplicationoftrueevangelicaldoctrine，itsformerinfluenceoverthemasses，whichitmightthendrawtocloserrelationswiththemonarchy。WhetheritwasthattheAbbeDutheilrecognizedtheimpossibilityofenlighteningthecourtofRomeandthehigherclergyonthispoint，orthathehadconsentedtosacrificehisownopinionstothoseofhissuperiors，itiscertainthatheremainedwithinthelimitsofthestrictestorthodoxy，beingverywellawarethatanymanifestationofhisprinciplesatthepresenttimewoulddeprivehimofallchanceoftheepiscopate。
ThiseminentpriestunitedinhimselfgreatChristianmodestyandanoblecharacter。Withoutprideorambitionheremainedathispostanddidhisdutyinthemidstofperils。Theliberalsofthetownwereignorantofthemotivesofhisconduct;theyclaimedhimasbeingoftheiropinionsandconsideredhimapatriot，——awordwhichmeantrevolutionistinCatholicminds。Lovedbyhisinferiors，whodarednot，however，proclaimhismerits，fearedbyhisequalswhokeptwatchuponhim，hewasasourceofembarrassmenttothebishop。Hisvirtuesandhisknowledge，envied，nodoubt，preventedpersecution;itwasimpossibletocomplainofhim，thoughhecriticizedfranklythepoliticalblundersbywhichboththethroneandtheclergymutuallycompromisedthemselves。Heoftenforetoldresults，butvainly，——likepoorCassandra，whowasequallycursedbeforeandafterthedisastershepredicted。ShortofarevolutiontheAbbeDutheilwaslikelytoremainashewas，oneofthosestoneshiddeninthefoundationwallonwhichtheedificerests。Hisutilitywasrecognizedandtheylefthiminhisplace，likemanyothersolidmindswhoserisetopoweristheterrorofmediocrities。If，liketheAbbedeLamennais，hehadtakenuphispenhewoulddoubtless，likehim，havebeenblastedbythecourtofRome。
TheAbbeDutheilwasimposinginappearance。Hisexteriorrevealedtheunderlyingofaprofoundnaturealwayscalmandequableonthesurface。Histallfigureanditsthinnessdidnotdetractfromthegeneraleffectofhislines，whichrecalledthosebywhichthegeniusofSpanishpaintersdelightstorepresentthegreatmonasticmeditators，andthoseselectedatalaterperiodbyThorwaldsenfortheApostles。Thelong，almostrigidfoldsoftheface，inharmonywiththoseofhisvestment，hadthecharmwhichthemiddle—agesbringintoreliefinthemysticalstatuesplacedbesidetheportalsoftheirchurches。Gravityofthought，word，andaccent，harmonizedinthismanandbecamehimwell。Seeinghisdarkeyeshollowedbyausteritiesandsurroundedbyabrowncircle;seeing，too，hisforehead，yellowassomeoldstone，hisheadandhandsalmostfleshless，mendesiredtohearthevoiceandtheinstructionswhichissuedfromhislips。Thispurelyphysicalgrandeurwhichaccordswithmoralgrandeur，gavethispriestasomewhathaughtyanddisdainfulair，whichwasinstantlycounteractedtoanobserverbyhismodestyandbyhisspeech，thoughitdidnotpredisposeothersinhisfavor。Insomemoreelevatedstationtheseadvantageswouldhaveobtainedthatnecessaryascendancyoverthemasseswhichthepeoplewillinglyallowtomenwhoarethusendowed。Butsuperiorswillnotforgivetheirinferiorsforpossessingtheexternalsofgreatness，norfordisplayingthatmajestysoprizedbytheancientsbutsooftenlackingtotheadministratorsofmodernpower。
Byoneofthosestrangefreaksofcircumstancewhichareneveraccountedfor，theothervicar—general，theAbbedeGrancour，astoutlittlemanwitharosycomplexionandblueeyes，whoseopinionswerediametricallyopposedtothoseoftheAbbeDutheil，likedtobeinthelatter’scompany，althoughhenevertestifiedthislikingenoughtoputhimselfoutofthegoodgracesofthebishop，towhomhewouldhavesacrificedeverything。TheAbbedeGrancourbelievedinthemeritofhiscolleague，recognizedhistalents，secretlyacceptedhisdoctrines，andcondemnedthemopenly;forthelittlepriestwasoneofthosemenwhomsuperiorityattractsandintimidates，——whodislikeitandyetcultivateit。\"Hewouldembracemeandcondemnme，\"theAbbeDutheilsaidofhim。TheAbbedeGrancourhadneitherfriendsnorenemies;hewasthereforelikelytoliveanddieavicar—general。HesaidhewasdrawntovisitMadameGraslinbythedesireofcounsellingsoreligiousandbenevolentaperson;andthebishopapprovedofhisdoingso，——MonsieurdeGrancour’srealobjectbeingtospendafeweveningswiththeAbbeDutheilinVeronique’ssalon。
ThetwopriestsnowcameprettyregularlytoseeMadameGraslin，andmakeherasortofreportaboutherpooranddiscussthebestmeansofsuccoringandimprovingthem。ButMonsieurGraslinhadnowbeguntotightenhispurse—strings，havingmadethediscovery，inspiteoftheinnocentdeceptionsofhiswifeandhermaid，thatthemoneyhepaiddidnotgosolelyforhouseholdexpensesandfordress。Hewasangrywhenhefoundouthowmuchmoneyhiswife’scharitiescosthim;hecalledthecooktoaccount，inquiredintoallthedetailsofthehousekeeping，andshowedwhatagrandadministratorhewasbypracticallyprovingthathishousecouldbesplendidlykeptforthreethousandfrancsayear。Thenheputhiswifeonanallowanceofahundredfrancsamonth，andboastedofhisliberalityinsodoing。Theoffice—boy，wholikedflowers，wasmadetotakecareofthegardenonSundays。Havingdismissedthegardener，Graslinusedthegreenhousetostorearticlesconveyedtohimassecurityforloans。Heletthebirdsintheaviarydieforwantofcare，toavoidthecostoftheirfoodandattendance。Andheeventookadvantageofawinterwhentherewasnoice，togiveuphisicehouseandsavetheexpenseoffillingit。
By1828therewasnotasinglearticleofluxuryinthehousewhichhehadnotinsomewaygotridof。ParsimonyreigneduncheckedinthehotelGraslin。Themaster’sface，greatlyimprovedduringthethreeyearsspentwithhiswife（whoinducedhimtofollowhisphysician’sadvice），nowbecameredder，morefiery，moreblotchedthanbefore。
Businesshadtakensuchproportionsthatitwasnecessarytopromotetheboy—of—all—worktothepositionofcashier，andtofindsomestoutAuvergnatfortherougherserviceofthehotelGraslin。
Thus，fouryearsafterhermarriage，thisveryrichwomancouldnotdisposeofasinglepennybyherownwill。Theavariceofherhusbandsucceededtheavariceofherparents。MadameGraslinhadneverunderstoodthenecessityofmoneyuntilthetimecamewhenherbenevolencewaschecked。
Bythebeginningoftheyear1828VeroniquehadentirelyrecoveredthebloominghealthwhichhadgivensuchbeautytotheinnocentyounggirlsittingatherwindowintheoldhouseintheruedelaCite;butbythistimeshehadacquiredafineliteraryeducation，andwasfullyabletothinkandtospeak。Anexcellentjudgmentgaverealdepthtoherwords。Accustomednowtothelittlethingsoflife，sheworethefashionsoftheperiodwithinfinitegrace。Whenshechancedaboutthistimetovisitasalonshefoundherself——notwithoutacertaininwardsurprise——receivedbyallwithrespectfulesteem。Thesechangedfeelingsandthiswelcomewereduetothetwovicars—generalandtooldGrossetete。Informedbythemofhernoblehiddenlife，andthegooddeedssoconstantlydoneintheirmidst，thebishopandafewinfluentialpersonsspokeofMadameGraslinasafloweroftruepiety，avioletfragrantwithvirtues;inconsequenceofwhich，oneofthosestrongreactionssetin，unknowntoVeronique，whicharenonethelesssolidanddurablebecausetheyarelongincoming。ThischangeinpublicopiniongaveadditionalinfluencetoVeronique’ssalon，whichwasnowvisitedbyallthechiefpersonsinthesocietyofthetown，inconsequenceofcertaincircumstancesweshallnowrelate。
TowardthecloseofthisyeartheyoungVicomtedeGrandvillewassentasdeputysolicitortothecourtsofLimoges。HecameprecededbyareputationalwaysgiventoParisiansintheprovinces。Afewdaysafterhisarrival，duringasoireeattheprefecture，hemadeanswertoaratherfoolishquestion，thatthemostable，intelligent，anddistinguishedwomanhehadmetinthetownwasMadameGraslin。
\"Perhapsyouthinkherthehandsomestalso？\"saidthewifeofthereceiver—general。
\"Icannotthinksoinyourpresence，madame，\"hereplied，\"andthereforeIamindoubt。MadameGraslinpossessesabeautywhichneedinspirenojealousy，foritseldomshowsitself:sheisonlybeautifultothosesheloves;youarebeautifultoalltheworld。WhenMadameGraslin’ssoulismovedbytrueenthusiasm，itshedsanexpressionuponherfacewhichchangesitcompletely。Hercountenanceislikealandscape，——dullinwinter，gloriousinsummer;buttheworldwillalwaysseeitinwinter。Whenshetalkswithfriendsonsomeliteraryorphilosophicaltopic，oroncertainreligiousquestionswhichinteresther，sheisrousedintoappearingsuddenlyanunknownwomanofmarvellousbeauty。\"
