English
Attheepochofthishistory,thecellintheTour–Rolandwasoccupied.
Ifthereaderdesirestoknowbywhom,hehasonlytolendaneartotheconversationofthreeworthygossips,who,atthemomentwhenwehavedirectedhisattentiontotheRat–Hole,weredirectingtheirstepstowardsthesamespot,comingupalongthewater'sedgefromtheChâtelet,towardstheGrève.
Twoofthesewomenweredressedlikegood~bourgeoises~ofParis.
Theirfinewhiteruffs;theirpetticoatsoflinsey–woolsey,stripedredandblue;theirwhiteknittedstockings,withclocksembroideredincolors,welldrawnupontheirlegs;thesquare–toedshoesoftawnyleatherwithblacksoles,and,aboveall,theirheadgear,thatsortoftinselhorn,loadeddownwithribbonsandlaces,whichthewomenofChampagnestillwear,incompanywiththegrenadiersoftheimperialguardofRussia,announcedthattheybelongedtothatclasswiveswhichholdsthemiddlegroundbetweenwhatthelackeyscallawomanandwhattheytermalady.
Theyworeneitherringsnorgoldcrosses,anditwaseasytoseethat,intheirease,thisdidnotproceedfrompoverty,butsimplyfromfearofbeingfined.
Theircompanionwasattiredinverymuchthesamemanner;buttherewasthatindescribablesomethingaboutherdressandbearingwhichsuggestedthewifeofaprovincialnotary.
Onecouldsee,bythewayinwhichhergirdleroseaboveherhips,thatshehadnotbeenlonginParis.
—Addtothisaplaitedtucker,knotsofribbononhershoes—andthatthestripesofherpetticoatranhorizontallyinsteadofvertically,andathousandotherenormitieswhichshockedgoodtaste.
ThetwofirstwalkedwiththatsteppeculiartoParisianladies,showingParistowomenfromthecountry.Theprovincialheldbythehandabigboy,whoheldinhisalarge,flatcake.
Weregrettobeobligedtoadd,that,owingtotherigoroftheseason,hewasusinghistongueasahandkerchief.
Thechildwasmakingthemdraghimalong,~nonpassibusCequis~,asVirgilsays,andstumblingateverymoment,tothegreatindignationofhismother.
Itistruethathewaslookingathiscakemorethanatthepavement.
Someseriousmotive,nodoubt,preventedhisbitingit(thecake),forhecontentedhimselfwithgazingtenderlyatit.
Butthemothershouldhaverathertakenchargeofthecake.
ItwascrueltomakeaTantalusofthechubby–checkedboy.
Meanwhile,thethreedemoiselles(forthenameofdameswasthenreservedfornoblewomen)werealltalkingatonce.
"Letusmakehaste,DemoiselleMahiette,"saidtheyoungestofthethree,whowasalsothelargest,totheprovincial,"Igreatlyfearthatweshallarrivetoolate;theytoldusattheChâteletthattheyweregoingtotakehimdirectlytothepillory."
"Ah,bah!whatareyousaying,DemoiselleOudardeMusnier?"interposedtheotherParisienne.
"Therearetwohoursyettothepillory.Wehavetimeenough.
Haveyoueverseenanyonepilloried,mydearMahiette?"
"Yes,"saidtheprovincial,"atReims."
"Ah,bah!WhatisyourpilloryatReims?Amiserablecageintowhichonlypeasantsareturned.Agreataffair,truly!"
"Onlypeasants!"saidMahiette,"attheclothmarketinReims!Wehaveseenveryfinecriminalsthere,whohavekilledtheirfatherandmother!Peasants!Forwhatdoyoutakeus,Gervaise?"
Itiscertainthattheprovincialwasonthepointoftakingoffence,forthehonorofherpillory.Fortunately,thatdiscreetdamoiselle,OudardeMusnier,turnedtheconversationintime.
"Bytheway,DamoiselleMahiette,whatsayyoutoourFlemishAmbassadors?HaveyouasfineonesatReims?"
"Iadmit,"repliedMahiette,"thatitisonlyinParisthatsuchFlemingscanbeseen."
"Didyouseeamongtheembassy,thatbigambassadorwhoisahosier?"askedOudarde.
"Yes,"saidMahiette."HehastheeyeofaSaturn."
"Andthebigfellowwhosefaceresemblesabarebelly?"resumedGervaise."Andthelittleone,withsmalleyesframedinredeyelids,pareddownandslasheduplikeathistlehead?"
"'Tistheirhorsesthatareworthseeing,"saidOudarde,"caparisonedastheyareafterthefashionoftheircountry!"
"Ahmydear,"interruptedprovincialMahiette,assuminginherturnanairofsuperiority,"whatwouldyousaythen,ifyouhadseenin'61,attheconsecrationatReims,eighteenyearsago,thehorsesoftheprincesandoftheking'scompany?
Housingsandcaparisonsofallsorts;someofdamaskcloth,offineclothofgold,furredwithsables;othersofvelvet,furredwithermine;othersallembellishedwithgoldsmith'sworkandlargebellsofgoldandsilver!Andwhatmoneythathadcost!
Andwhathandsomeboypagesrodeuponthem!"
"That,"repliedOudardedryly,"doesnotpreventtheFlemingshavingveryfinehorses,andhavinghadasuperbsupperyesterdaywithmonsieur,theprovostofthemerchants,attheHôtel–de–Ville,wheretheywereservedwithcomfitsandhippocras,andspices,andothersingularities."
"Whatareyousaying,neighbor!"exclaimedGervaise."Itwaswithmonsieurthecardinal,atthePetitBourbonthattheysupped."
"Notatall.AttheHôtel–de–Ville.
"Yes,indeed.AtthePetitBourbon!"
"ItwasattheHôtel–de–Ville,"retortedOudardesharply,"andDr.ScourableaddressedthemaharangueinLatin,whichpleasedthemgreatly.Myhusband,whoisswornbooksellertoldme."
"ItwasatthePetitBourbon,"repliedGervaise,withnolessspirit,"andthisiswhatmonsieurthecardinal'sprocuratorpresentedtothem:twelvedoublequartsofhippocras,white,claret,andred;twenty–fourboxesofdoubleLyonsmarchpane,gilded;asmanytorches,worthtwolivresapiece;andsixdemi–queues*ofBeaunewine,whiteandclaret,thebestthatcouldbefound.
Ihaveitfrommyhusband,whoisacinquantenier**,attheParloir–auxBourgeois,andwhowasthismorningcomparingtheFlemishambassadorswiththoseofPresterJohnandtheEmperorofTrebizond,whocamefromMesopotamiatoParis,underthelastking,andwhoworeringsintheirears."
*AQueuewasacaskwhichheldahogsheadandahalf.
**Acaptainoffiftymen.
"SotrueisitthattheysuppedattheHôtel–de–Ville,"repliedOudardebutlittleaffectedbythiscatalogue,"thatsuchatriumphofviandsandcomfitshasneverbeenseen."
"ItellyouthattheywereservedbyLeSec,sergeantofthecity,attheHôtelduPetit–Bourbon,andthatthatiswhereyouaremistaken."
"AttheHôtel–de–Ville,Itellyou!"
"AtthePetit–Bourbon,mydear!andtheyhadilluminatedwithmagicglassesthewordhope,whichiswrittenonthegrandportal."
"AttheHôtel–de–Ville!AttheHôtel–de–Ville!AndHusson–le–Voirplayedtheflute!"
"Itellyou,no!"
"Itellyou,yes!"
"Isay,no!"
PlumpandworthyOudardewaspreparingtoretort,andthequarrelmight,perhaps,haveproceededtoapullingofcaps,hadnotMahiettesuddenlyexclaimed,—"Lookatthosepeopleassembledyonderattheendofthebridge!
Thereissomethingintheirmidstthattheyarelookingat!"
"Insooth,"saidGervaise,"Ihearthesoundsofatambourine.
Ibelieve'tisthelittleEsmeralda,whoplayshermummerieswithhergoat.Eh,bequick,Mahiette!
redoubleyourpaceanddragalongyourboy.
YouarecomehithertovisitthecuriositiesofParis.
YousawtheFlemingsyesterday;youmustseethegypsyto–day."
"Thegypsy!"saidMahiette,suddenlyretracinghersteps,andclaspingherson'sarmforcibly."Godpreservemefromit!Shewouldstealmychildfromme!Come,Eustache!"
AndshesetoutonarunalongthequaytowardstheGrève,untilshehadleftthebridgefarbehindher.
Inthemeanwhile,thechildwhomshewasdraggingafterherfelluponhisknees;shehaltedbreathless.OudardeandGervaiserejoinedher.
"Thatgypsystealyourchildfromyou!"saidGervaise."That'sasingularfreakofyours!"
Mahietteshookherheadwithapensiveair.
"Thesingularpointis,"observedOudarde,"that~lasachette~hasthesameideaabouttheEgyptianwoman."
"Whatis~lasachette~?"askedMahiette.
"Hé!"saidOudarde,"SisterGudule."
"AndwhoisSisterGudule?"persistedMahiette.
"YouarecertainlyignorantofallbutyourReims,nottoknowthat!"repliedOudarde."'TistherecluseoftheRat–Hole."
"What!"demandedMahiette,"thatpoorwomantowhomwearecarryingthiscake?"
Oudardenoddedaffirmatively.
"Precisely.YouwillseeherpresentlyatherwindowontheGrève.
ShehasthesameopinionasyourselfofthesevagabondsofEgypt,whoplaythetambourineandtellfortunestothepublic.
NooneknowswhencecomesherhorrorofthegypsiesandEgyptians.
Butyou,Mahiette—whydoyourunsoatthemeresightofthem?"
"Oh!"saidMahiette,seizingherchild'sroundheadinbothhands,"Idon'twantthattohappentomewhichhappenedtoPaquettelaChantefleurie."
"Oh!youmusttellusthatstory,mygoodMahiette,"saidGervaise,takingherarm.
"Gladly,"repliedMahiette,"butyoumustbeignorantofallbutyourParisnottoknowthat!
Iwilltellyouthen(but'tisnotnecessaryforustohaltthatImaytellyouthetale),thatPaquettelaChantefleuriewasaprettymaidofeighteenwhenIwasonemyself,thatistosay,eighteenyearsago,and'tisherownfaultifsheisnotto–day,likeme,agood,plump,freshmotherofsixandthirty,withahusbandandason.
However,aftertheageoffourteen,itwastoolate!
Well,shewasthedaughterofGuybertant,minstrelofthebargesatReims,thesamewhohadplayedbeforeKingCharlesVII.,athiscoronation,whenhedescendedourriverVeslefromSillerytoMuison,whenMadametheMaidofOrleanswasalsointheboat.
TheoldfatherdiedwhenPaquettewasstillamerechild;shehadthennoonebuthermother,thesisterofM.Pradon,master–brazierandcoppersmithinParis,RueFarm–Garlin,whodiedlastyear.Youseeshewasofgoodfamily.
Themotherwasagoodsimplewoman,unfortunately,andshetaughtPaquettenothingbutabitofembroideryandtoy–makingwhichdidnotpreventthelittleonefromgrowingverylargeandremainingverypoor.
TheybothdweltatReims,ontheriverfront,RuedeFolle–Peine.
Markthis:ForIbelieveitwasthiswhichbroughtmisfortunetoPaquette.
In'61,theyearofthecoronationofourKingLouisXI.whomGodpreserve!
Paquettewassogayandsoprettythatshewascalledeverywherebynoothernamethan"laChantefleurie"—blossomingsong.Poorgirl!
Shehadhandsometeeth,shewasfondoflaughinganddisplayingthem.
Now,amaidwholovestolaughisontheroadtoweeping;handsometeethruinhandsomeeyes.SoshewaslaChantefleurie.
Sheandhermotherearnedaprecariousliving;theyhadbeenverydestitutesincethedeathoftheminstrel;theirembroiderydidnotbringtheminmorethansixfarthingsaweek,whichdoesnotamounttoquitetwoeagleliards.
WherewerethedayswhenFatherGuybertanthadearnedtwelvesousparisian,inasinglecoronation,withasong?
Onewinter(itwasinthatsameyearof'61),whenthetwowomenhadneitherfagotsnorfirewood,itwasverycold,whichgavelaChantefleuriesuchafinecolorthatthemencalledherPaquette!*andmanycalledherPáquerette!**andshewasruined.
—Eustache,justletmeseeyoubitethatcakeifyoudare!
—Weimmediatelyperceivedthatshewasruined,oneSundaywhenshecametochurchwithagoldcrossaboutherneck.Atfourteenyearsofage!doyousee?
FirstitwastheyoungVicomtedeCormontreuil,whohashisbelltowerthreeleaguesdistantfromReims;thenMessireHenrideTriancourt,equerrytotheKing;thenlessthanthat,ChiartdeBeaulion,sergeant–at–arms;then,stilldescending,GueryAubergeon,carvertotheKing;then,MacedeFrépus,barbertomonsieurthedauphin;then,ThéveninleMoine,King'scook;then,themengrowingcontinuallyyoungerandlessnoble,shefelltoGuillaumeRacine,minstrelofthehurdygurdyandtoThierrydeMer,lamplighter.
Then,poorChantefleurie,shebelongedtoeveryone:shehadreachedthelastsouofhergoldpiece.
WhatshallIsaytoyou,mydamoiselles?
Atthecoronation,inthesameyear,'61,'twasshewhomadethebedofthekingofthedebauchees!Inthesameyear!"
*Ox–eyedaisy.
**Easterdaisy.
Mahiettesighed,andwipedawayatearwhichtrickledfromhereyes.
"Thisisnoveryextraordinaryhistory,"saidGervaise,"andinthewholeofitIseenothingofanyEgyptianwomenorchildren."
"Patience!"resumedMahiette,"youwillseeonechild.
—In'66,'twillbesixteenyearsagothismonth,atSainte–Paule'sday,Paquettewasbroughttobedofalittlegirl.Theunhappycreature!
itwasagreatjoytoher;shehadlongwishedforachild.
Hermother,goodwoman,whohadneverknownwhattodoexcepttoshuthereyes,hermotherwasdead.
Paquettehadnolongeranyonetoloveintheworldoranyonetoloveher.
LaChantefleuriehadbeenapoorcreatureduringthefiveyearssinceherfall.
Shewasalone,aloneinthislife,fingerswerepointedather,shewashootedatinthestreets,beatenbythesergeants,jeeredatbythelittleboysinrags.
Andthen,twentyhadarrived:andtwentyisanoldageforamorouswomen.
Follybegantobringherinnomorethanhertradeofembroideryinformerdays;foreverywrinklethatcame,acrownfled;winterbecamehardtoheroncemore,woodbecamerareagaininherbrazier,andbreadinhercupboard.
Shecouldnolongerworkbecause,inbecomingvoluptuous,shehadgrownlazy;andshesufferedmuchmorebecause,ingrowinglazy,shehadbecomevoluptuous.
Atleast,thatisthewayinwhichmonsieurthecureofSaint–Remyexplainswhythesewomenarecolderandhungrierthanotherpoorwomen,whentheyareold."
"Yes,"remarkedGervaise,"butthegypsies?"
"Onemoment,Gervaise!"saidOudarde,whoseattentionwaslessimpatient."Whatwouldbeleftfortheendifallwereinthebeginning?Continue,Mahiette,Ientreatyou.ThatpoorChantefleurie!"
Mahiettewenton.
"Soshewasverysad,verymiserable,andfurrowedhercheekswithtears.
Butinthemidstofhershame,herfolly,herdebauchery,itseemedtoherthatsheshouldbelesswild,lessshameful,lessdissipated,ifthereweresomethingorsomeoneintheworldwhomshecouldlove,andwhocouldloveher.
Itwasnecessarythatitshouldbeachild,becauseonlyachildcouldbesufficientlyinnocentforthat.
Shehadrecognizedthisfactafterhavingtriedtoloveathief,theonlymanwhowantedher;butafterashorttime,sheperceivedthatthethiefdespisedher.
Thosewomenofloverequireeitheraloverorachildtofilltheirhearts.Otherwise,theyareveryunhappy.
Asshecouldnothavealover,sheturnedwhollytowardsadesireforachild,andasshehadnotceasedtobepious,shemadeherconstantprayertothegoodGodforit.
SothegoodGodtookpityonher,andgaveheralittledaughter.
Iwillnotspeaktoyouofherjoy;itwasafuryoftears,andcaresses,andkisses.
Shenursedherchildherself,madeswaddling–bandsforitoutofhercoverlet,theonlyonewhichshehadonherbed,andnolongerfelteithercoldorhunger.
Shebecamebeautifuloncemore,inconsequenceofit.Anoldmaidmakesayoungmother.
Gallantryclaimedheroncemore;mencametoseelaChantefleurie;shefoundcustomersagainforhermerchandise,andoutofallthesehorrorsshemadebabyclothes,capsandbibs,bodiceswithshoulder–strapsoflace,andtinybonnetsofsatin,withouteventhinkingofbuyingherselfanothercoverlet.
—MasterEustache,Ihavealreadytoldyounottoeatthatcake.
—ItiscertainthatlittleAgnes,thatwasthechild'sname,abaptismalname,foritwasalongtimesincelaChantefleuriehadhadanysurname—itiscertainthatthatlittleonewasmoreswathedinribbonsandembroideriesthanadauphinessofDauphiny!
Amongotherthings,shehadapairoflittleshoes,thelikeofwhichKingLouisXI.certainlyneverhad!
Hermotherhadstitchedandembroideredthemherself;shehadlavishedonthemallthedelicaciesofherartofembroideress,andalltheembellishmentsofarobeforthegoodVirgin.
Theycertainlywerethetwoprettiestlittlepinkshoesthatcouldbeseen.
Theywerenolongerthanmythumb,andonehadtoseethechild'slittlefeetcomeoutofthem,inordertobelievethattheyhadbeenabletogetintothem.
'Tistruethatthoselittlefeetweresosmall,sopretty,sorosy!rosierthanthesatinoftheshoes!
Whenyouhavechildren,Oudarde,youwillfindthatthereisnothingprettierthanthoselittlehandsandfeet."
"Iasknobetter,"saidOudardewithasigh,"butIamwaitinguntilitshallsuitthegoodpleasureofM.AndryMusnier."
"However,Paquette'schildhadmorethatwasprettyaboutitbesidesitsfeet.
Isawherwhenshewasonlyfourmonthsold;shewasalove!
Shehadeyeslargerthanhermouth,andthemostcharmingblackhair,whichalreadycurled.
Shewouldhavebeenamagnificentbrunetteattheageofsixteen!
Hermotherbecamemorecrazyoverhereveryday.
Shekissedher,caressedher,tickledher,washedher,deckedherout,devouredher!
Shelostherheadoverher,shethankedGodforher.
Herpretty,littlerosyfeetaboveallwereanendlesssourceofwonderment,theywereadeliriumofjoy!
Shewasalwayspressingherlipstothem,andshecouldneverrecoverfromheramazementattheirsmallness.
Sheputthemintothetinyshoes,tookthemout,admiredthem,marvelledatthem,lookedatthelightthroughthem,wascurioustoseethemtrytowalkonherbed,andwouldgladlyhavepassedherlifeonherknees,puttingonandtakingofftheshoesfromthosefeet,asthoughtheyhadbeenthoseofanInfantJesus."
"Thetaleisfairandgood,"saidGervaiseinalowtone;"butwheredogypsiescomeintoallthat?"
"Here,"repliedMahiette."OnedaytherearrivedinReimsaveryqueersortofpeople.
Theywerebeggarsandvagabondswhowereroamingoverthecountry,ledbytheirdukeandtheircounts.
Theywerebrownedbyexposuretothesun,theyhadcloselycurlinghair,andsilverringsintheirears.
Thewomenwerestilluglierthanthemen.
Theyhadblackerfaces,whichwerealwaysuncovered,amiserablefrockontheirbodies,anoldclothwovenofcordsboundupontheirshoulder,andtheirhairhanginglikethetailofahorse.
Thechildrenwhoscrambledbetweentheirlegswouldhavefrightenedasmanymonkeys.Abandofexcommunicates.
AllthesepersonscamedirectfromlowerEgypttoReimsthroughPoland.
ThePopehadconfessedthem,itwassaid,andhadprescribedtothemaspenancetoroamthroughtheworldforsevenyears,withoutsleepinginabed;andsotheywerecalledpenancers,andsmelthorribly.
ItappearsthattheyhadformerlybeenSaracens,whichwaswhytheybelievedinJupiter,andclaimedtenlivresofTournayfromallarchbishops,bishops,andmitredabbotswithcroziers.
AbullfromthePopeempoweredthemtodothat.
TheycametoReimstotellfortunesinthenameoftheKingofAlgiers,andtheEmperorofGermany.
Youcanreadilyimaginethatnomorewasneededtocausetheentrancetothetowntobeforbiddenthem.
ThenthewholebandcampedwithgoodgraceoutsidethegateofBraine,onthathillwherestandsamill,besidethecavitiesoftheancientchalkpits.
AndeverybodyinReimsviedwithhisneighboringoingtoseethem.
Theylookedatyourhand,andtoldyoumarvellousprophecies;theywereequaltopredictingtoJudasthathewouldbecomePope.
Nevertheless,uglyrumorswereincirculationinregardtothem;aboutchildrenstolen,pursescut,andhumanfleshdevoured.
Thewisepeoplesaidtothefoolish:"Don'tgothere!"andthenwentthemselvesonthesly.Itwasaninfatuation.
Thefactis,thattheysaidthingsfittoastonishacardinal.
MotherstriumphedgreatlyovertheirlittleonesaftertheEgyptianshadreadintheirhandsallsortsofmarvelswritteninpaganandinTurkish.
Onehadanemperor;another,apope;another,acaptain.
PoorChantefleuriewasseizedwithcuriosity;shewishedtoknowaboutherself,andwhetherherprettylittleAgneswouldnotbecomesomedayEmpressofArmenia,orsomethingelse.
SoshecarriedhertotheEgyptians;andtheEgyptianwomenfelltoadmiringthechild,andtocaressingit,andtokissingitwiththeirblackmouths,andtomarvellingoveritslittleband,alas!tothegreatjoyofthemother.
Theywereespeciallyenthusiasticoverherprettyfeetandshoes.Thechildwasnotyetayearold.
Shealreadylispedalittle,laughedathermotherlikealittlemadthing,wasplumpandquiteround,andpossessedathousandcharminglittlegesturesoftheangelsofparadise.
ShewasverymuchfrightenedbytheEgyptians,andwept.
ButhermotherkissedhermorewarmlyandwentawayenchantedwiththegoodfortunewhichthesoothsayershadforetoldforherAgnes.
Shewastobeabeauty,virtuous,aqueen.
SoshereturnedtoheratticintheRueFolle–Peine,veryproudofbearingwithheraqueen.
Thenextdayshetookadvantageofamomentwhenthechildwasasleeponherbed,(fortheyalwaysslepttogether),gentlyleftthedooralittlewayopen,andrantotellaneighborintheRuedelaSéchesserie,thatthedaywouldcomewhenherdaughterAgneswouldbeservedattablebytheKingofEnglandandtheArchdukeofEthiopia,andahundredothermarvels.
Onherreturn,hearingnocriesonthestaircase,shesaidtoherself:'Good!thechildisstillasleep!'
Shefoundherdoorwideropenthanshehadleftit,butsheentered,poormother,andrantothebed.
—–Thechildwasnolongerthere,theplacewasempty.
Nothingremainedofthechild,butoneofherprettylittleshoes.
Sheflewoutoftheroom,dasheddownthestairs,andbegantobeatherheadagainstthewall,crying:'Mychild!whohasmychild?Whohastakenmychild?'
Thestreetwasdeserted,thehouseisolated;noonecouldtellheranythingaboutit.
Shewentaboutthetown,searchedallthestreets,ranhitherandthitherthewholedaylong,wild,besideherself,terrible,snuffingatdoorsandwindowslikeawildbeastwhichhaslostitsyoung.
Shewasbreathless,dishevelled,frightfultosee,andtherewasafireinhereyeswhichdriedhertears.
Shestoppedthepassers–byandcried:'Mydaughter!mydaughter!myprettylittledaughter!
Ifanyonewillgivemebackmydaughter,Iwillhehisservant,theservantofhisdog,andheshalleatmyheartifhewill.'
ShemetM.leCuréofSaint–Remy,andsaidtohim:'Monsieur,Iwilltilltheearthwithmyfinger–nails,butgivemebackmychild!'
Itwasheartrending,Oudarde;andILsawaveryhardman,MasterPonceLacabre,theprocurator,weep.Ah!poormother!Intheeveningshereturnedhome.
Duringherabsence,aneighborhadseentwogypsiesascenduptoitwithabundleintheirarms,thendescendagain,afterclosingthedoor.
Aftertheirdeparture,somethinglikethecriesofachildwereheardinPaquette'sroom.
Themother,burstintoshrieksoflaughter,ascendedthestairsasthoughonwings,andentered.—Afrightfulthingtotell,Oudarde!
InsteadofherprettylittleAgnes,sorosyandsofresh,whowasagiftofthegoodGod,asortofhideouslittlemonster,lame,one–eyed,deformed,wascrawlingandsquallingoverthefloor.Shehidhereyesinhorror.'Oh!'
saidshe,'havethewitchestransformedmydaughterintothishorribleanimal?'
Theyhastenedtocarryawaythelittleclub–foot;hewouldhavedrivenhermad.
Itwasthemonstrouschildofsomegypsywoman,whohadgivenherselftothedevil.
Heappearedtobeaboutfouryearsold,andtalkedalanguagewhichwasnohumantongue;therewerewordsinitwhichwereimpossible.
LaChantefleurieflungherselfuponthelittleshoe,allthatremainedtoherofallthatsheloved.
Sheremainedsolongmotionlessoverit,mute,andwithoutbreath,thattheythoughtshewasdead.
Suddenlyshetrembledallover,coveredherrelicwithfuriouskisses,andburstoutsobbingasthoughherheartwerebroken.
Iassureyouthatwewereallweepingalso.Shesaid:'Oh,mylittledaughter!myprettylittledaughter!whereartthou?'—anditwrungyourveryheart.IweepstillwhenIthinkofit.
Ourchildrenarethemarrowofourbones,yousee.—–MypoorEustache!thouartsofair!—Ifyouonlyknewhowniceheis!
yesterdayhesaidtome:'Iwanttobeagendarme,thatIdo.'Oh!myEustache!ifIweretolosethee!
—AllatoncelaChantefleurierose,andsetouttorunthroughReims,screaming:'Tothegypsies'camp!tothegypsies'camp!Police,toburnthewitches!'Thegypsiesweregone.Itwaspitchdark.Theycouldnotbefollowed.
Onthemorrow,twoleaguesfromReims,onaheathbetweenGueuxandTilloy,theremainsofalargefirewerefound,someribbonswhichhadbelongedtoPaquette'schild,dropsofblood,andthedungofaram.
ThenightjustpasthadbeenaSaturday.
TherewasnolongeranydoubtthattheEgyptianshadheldtheirSabbathonthatheath,andthattheyhaddevouredthechildincompanywithBeelzebub,asthepracticeisamongtheMahometans.
WhenLaChantefleurielearnedthesehorriblethings,shedidnotweep,shemovedherlipsasthoughtospeak,butcouldnot.Onthemorrow,herhairwasgray.Onthesecondday,shehaddisappeared.
"'Tisintruth,afrightfultale,"saidOudarde,"andonewhichwouldmakeevenaBurgundianweep."
"Iamnolongersurprised,"addedGervaise,"thatfearofthegypsiesshouldspuryouonsosharply."
"Andyoudidallthebetter,"resumedOudarde,"tofleewithyourEustachejustnow,sincethesealsoaregypsiesfromPoland."
"No,"saidGervais,"'tissaidthattheycomefromSpainandCatalonia."
"Catalonia?'tispossible,"repliedOudarde."Pologne,Catalogue,Valogne,Ialwaysconfoundthosethreeprovinces,Onethingiscertain,thattheyaregypsies."
"Whocertainly,"addedGervaise,"haveteethlongenoughtoeatlittlechildren.
IshouldnotbesurprisediflaSméraldaatealittleofthemalso,thoughshepretendstobedainty.
Herwhitegoatknowstricksthataretoomaliciousfortherenottobesomeimpietyunderneathitall."
Mahiettewalkedoninsilence.Shewasabsorbedinthatreverywhichis,insomesort,thecontinuationofamournfultale,andwhichendsonlyafterhavingcommunicatedtheemotion,fromvibrationtovibration,eventotheverylastfibresoftheheart.
Nevertheless,Gervaiseaddressedher,"AnddidtheyeverlearnwhatbecameoflaChantefleurie?"Mahiettemadenoreply.
Gervaiserepeatedherquestion,andshookherarm,callingherbyname.
Mahietteappearedtoawakenfromherthoughts.
"WhatbecameoflaChantefleurie?"shesaid,repeatingmechanicallythewordswhoseimpressionwasstillfreshinherear;then,makinganefforttorecallherattentiontothemeaningofherwords,"Ah!"
shecontinuedbriskly,"nooneeverfoundout."
Sheadded,afterapause,—
"SomesaidthatshehadbeenseentoquitReimsatnightfallbytheFléchembaultgate;others,atdaybreak,bytheoldBaséegate.
Apoormanfoundhergoldcrosshangingonthestonecrossinthefieldwherethefairisheld.
Itwasthatornamentwhichhadwroughtherruin,in'61.
ItwasagiftfromthehandsomeVicomtedeCormontreuil,herfirstlover.
Paquettehadneverbeenwillingtopartwithit,wretchedasshehadbeen.Shehadclungtoitastolifeitself.
So,whenwesawthatcrossabandoned,weallthoughtthatshewasdead.
Nevertheless,therewerepeopleoftheCabaretlesVantes,whosaidthattheyhadseenherpassalongtheroadtoParis,walkingonthepebbleswithherbarefeet.
But,inthatcase,shemusthavegoneoutthroughthePortedeVesle,andallthisdoesnotagree.
Or,tospeakmoretruly,IbelievethatsheactuallydiddepartbythePortedeVesle,butdepartedfromthisworld."
"Idonotunderstandyou,"saidGervaise.
"LaVesle,"repliedMahiette,withamelancholysmile,"istheriver."
"PoorChantefleurie!"saidOudarde,withashiver,—"drowned!"
"Drowned!"resumedMahiette,"whocouldhavetoldgoodFatherGuybertant,whenhepassedunderthebridgeofTingueuxwiththecurrent,singinginhisbarge,thatonedayhisdearlittlePaquettewouldalsopassbeneaththatbridge,butwithoutsongorboat.
"Andthelittleshoe?"askedGervaise.
"Disappearedwiththemother,"repliedMahiette.
"Poorlittleshoe!"saidOudarde.
Oudarde,abigandtenderwoman,wouldhavebeenwellpleasedtosighincompanywithMahiette.ButGervaise,morecurious,hadnotfinishedherquestions.
"Andthemonster?"shesaidsuddenly,toMahiette.
"Whatmonster?"inquiredthelatter.
"ThelittlegypsymonsterleftbythesorceressesinChantefleurie'schamber,inexchangeforherdaughter.Whatdidyoudowithit?Ihopeyoudrowneditalso."
"No."repliedMahiette.
"What?Youburneditthen?Insooth,thatismorejust.Awitchchild!"
"Neithertheonenortheother,Gervaise.
MonseigneurthearchbishopinterestedhimselfinthechildofEgypt,exorcisedit,blessedit,removedthedevilcarefullyfromitsbody,andsentittoParis,tobeexposedonthewoodenbedatNotre–Dame,asafoundling."
"Thosebishops!"grumbledGervaise,"becausetheyarelearned,theydonothinglikeanybodyelse.
Ijustputittoyou,Oudarde,theideaofplacingthedevilamongthefoundlings!
Forthatlittlemonsterwasassuredlythedevil.
Well,Mahiette,whatdidtheydowithitinParis?
Iamquitesurethatnocharitablepersonwantedit."
"Idonotknow,"repliedtheRémoise,"'twasjustatthattimethatmyhusbandboughttheofficeofnotary,atBern,twoleaguesfromthetown,andwewerenolongeroccupiedwiththatstory;besides,infrontofBern,standthetwohillsofCernay,whichhidethetowersofthecathedralinReimsfromview."
Whilechattingthus,thethreeworthy~bourgeoises~hadarrivedatthePlacedeGrève.
Intheirabsorption,theyhadpassedthepublicbreviaryoftheTour–Rolandwithoutstopping,andtooktheirwaymechanicallytowardsthepilloryaroundwhichthethrongwasgrowingmoredensewitheverymoment.
Itisprobablethatthespectaclewhichatthatmomentattractedalllooksinthatdirection,wouldhavemadethemforgetcompletelytheRat–Hole,andthehaltwhichtheyintendedtomakethere,ifbigEustache,sixyearsofage,whomMahiettewasdraggingalongbythehand,hadnotabruptlyrecalledtheobjecttothem:"Mother,"saidhe,asthoughsomeinstinctwarnedhimthattheRat–Holewasbehindhim,"canIeatthecakenow?"
IfEustachehadbeenmoreadroit,thatistosay,lessgreedy,hewouldhavecontinuedtowait,andwouldonlyhavehazardedthatsimplequestion,"Mother,canIeatthecake,now?"
ontheirreturntotheUniversity,toMasterAndryMusnier's,RueMadamelaValence,whenhehadthetwoarmsoftheSeineandthefivebridgesofthecitybetweentheRat–Holeandthecake.
Thisquestion,highlyimprudentatthemomentwhenEustacheputit,arousedMahiette'sattention.
"Bytheway,"sheexclaimed,"weareforgettingtherecluse!ShowmetheRat–Hole,thatImaycarryherhercake."
"Immediately,"saidOudarde,"'tisacharity."
ButthisdidnotsuitEustache.
"Stop!mycake!"saidhe,rubbingbothearsalternativelywithhisshoulders,which,insuchcases,isthesupremesignofdiscontent.
Thethreewomenretracedtheirsteps,and,onarrivinginthevicinityoftheTour–Roland,Oudardesaidtotheothertwo,—
"Wemustnotallthreegazeintotheholeatonce,forfearofalarmingtherecluse.
DoyoutwopretendtoreadtheDominusinthebreviary,whileIthrustmynoseintotheaperture;therecluseknowsmealittle.
Iwillgiveyouwarningwhenyoucanapproach."
Sheproceededalonetothewindow.Atthemomentwhenshelookedin,aprofoundpitywasdepictedonallherfeatures,andherfrank,gayvisagealtereditsexpressionandcolorasabruptlyasthoughithadpassedfromarayofsunlighttoarayofmoonlight;hereyebecamehumid;hermouthcontracted,likethatofapersononthepointofweeping.
Amomentlater,shelaidherfingeronherlips,andmadeasigntoMahiettetodrawnearandlook.
Mahiette,muchtouched,steppedupinsilence,ontiptoe,asthoughapproachingthebedsideofadyingperson.
Itwas,infact,amelancholyspectaclewhichpresenteditselftotheeyesofthetwowomen,astheygazedthroughthegratingoftheRat–Hole,neitherstirringnorbreathing.
Thecellwassmall,broaderthanitwaslong,withanarchedceiling,andviewedfromwithin,itboreaconsiderableresemblancetotheinteriorofahugebishop'smitre.
Onthebareflagstoneswhichformedthefloor,inonecorner,awomanwassitting,orrather,crouching.
Herchinrestedonherknees,whichhercrossedarmspressedforciblytoherbreast.
Thusdoubledup,cladinabrownsack,whichenvelopedherentirelyinlargefolds,herlong,grayhairpulledoverinfront,fallingoverherfaceandalongherlegsnearlytoherfeet,shepresented,atthefirstglance,onlyastrangeformoutlinedagainstthedarkbackgroundofthecell,asortofduskytriangle,whichtherayofdaylightfallingthroughtheopening,cutroughlyintotwoshades,theonesombre,theotherilluminated.
Itwasoneofthosespectres,halflight,halfshadow,suchasonebeholdsindreamsandintheextraordinaryworkofGoya,pale,motionless,sinister,crouchingoveratomb,orleaningagainstthegratingofaprisoncell.
Itwasneitherawoman,noraman,noralivingbeing,noradefiniteform;itwasafigure,asortofvision,inwhichtherealandthefantasticintersectedeachother,likedarknessandday.
Itwaswithdifficultythatonedistinguished,beneathherhairwhichspreadtotheground,agauntandsevereprofile;herdressbarelyallowedtheextremityofabarefoottoescape,whichcontractedonthehard,coldpavement.
Thelittleofhumanformofwhichonecaughtasightbeneaththisenvelopeofmourning,causedashudder.
Thatfigure,whichonemighthavesupposedtoberivetedtotheflagstones,appearedtopossessneithermovement,northought,norbreath.
Lying,inJanuary,inthatthin,linensack,lyingonagranitefloor,withoutfire,inthegloomofacellwhoseobliqueair–holeallowedonlythecoldbreeze,butneverthesun,toenterfromwithout,shedidnotappeartosufferoreventothink.
Onewouldhavesaidthatshehadturnedtostonewiththecell,icewiththeseason.Herhandswereclasped,hereyesfixed.
Atfirstsightonetookherforaspectre;atthesecond,forastatue.
Nevertheless,atintervals,herbluelipshalfopenedtoadmitabreath,andtrembled,butasdeadandasmechanicalastheleaveswhichthewindsweepsaside.
Nevertheless,fromherdulleyesthereescapedalook,anineffablelook,aprofound,lugubrious,imperturbablelook,incessantlyfixeduponacornerofthecellwhichcouldnotbeseenfromwithout;agazewhichseemedtofixallthesombrethoughtsofthatsoulindistressuponsomemysteriousobject.
Suchwasthecreaturewhohadreceived,fromherhabitation,thenameofthe"recluse";and,fromhergarment,thenameof"thesackednun."
Thethreewomen,forGervaisehadrejoinedMahietteandOudarde,gazedthroughthewindow.
Theirheadsinterceptedthefeeblelightinthecell,withoutthewretchedbeingwhomtheythusdeprivedofitseemingtopayanyattentiontothem.
"Donotletustroubleher,"saidOudarde,inalowvoice,"sheisinherecstasy;sheispraying."
Meanwhile,Mahiettewasgazingwithever–increasinganxietyatthatwan,withered,dishevelledhead,andhereyesfilledwithtears."Thisisverysingular,"shemurmured.
Shethrustherheadthroughthebars,andsucceededincastingaglanceatthecornerwherethegazeoftheunhappywomanwasimmovablyriveted.
Whenshewithdrewherheadfromthewindow,hercountenancewasinundatedwithtears.
"Whatdoyoucallthatwoman?"sheaskedOudarde.
Oudardereplied,—
"WecallherSisterGudule."
"AndI,"returnedMahiette,"callherPaquettelaChantefleurie."
Then,layingherfingeronherlips,shemotionedtotheastoundedOudardetothrustherheadthroughthewindowandlook.
Oudardelookedandbeheld,inthecornerwheretheeyesofthereclusewerefixedinthatsombreecstasy,atinyshoeofpinksatin,embroideredwithathousandfancifuldesignsingoldandsilver.
GervaiselookedafterOudarde,andthenthethreewomen,gazingupontheunhappymother,begantoweep.
Butneithertheirlooksnortheirtearsdisturbedtherecluse.
Herhandsremainedclasped;herlipsmute;hereyesfixed;andthatlittleshoe,thusgazedat,broketheheartofanyonewhoknewherhistory.
Thethreewomenhadnotyetutteredasingleword;theydarednotspeak,eveninalowvoice.
Thisdeepsilence,thisdeepgrief,thisprofoundoblivioninwhicheverythinghaddisappearedexceptonething,produceduponthemtheeffectofthegrandaltaratChristmasorEaster.
Theyremainedsilent,theymeditated,theywerereadytokneel.
ItseemedtothemthattheywerereadytoenterachurchonthedayofTenebrae.
AtlengthGervaise,themostcuriousofthethree,andconsequentlytheleastsensitive,triedtomakethereclusespeak:
"Sister!SisterGudule!"
Sherepeatedthiscallthreetimes,raisinghervoiceeachtime.Thereclusedidnotmove;notaword,notaglance,notasigh,notasignoflife.
Oudarde,inherturn,inasweeter,morecaressingvoice,—"Sister!"saidshe,"SisterSainte–Gudule!"
Thesamesilence;thesameimmobility.
"Asingularwoman!"exclaimedGervaise,"andonenottobemovedbyacatapult!"
"Perchancesheisdeaf,"saidOudarde.
"Perhapssheisblind,"addedGervaise.
"Dead,perchance,"returnedMahiette.
Itiscertainthatifthesoulhadnotalreadyquittedthisinert,sluggish,lethargicbody,ithadatleastretreatedandconcealeditselfindepthswhithertheperceptionsoftheexteriororgansnolongerpenetrated.
"Thenwemustleavethecakeonthewindow,"saidOudarde;"somescampwilltakeit.Whatshallwedotorouseher?"
Eustache,who,uptothatmomenthadbeendivertedbyalittlecarriagedrawnbyalargedog,whichhadjustpassed,suddenlyperceivedthathisthreeconductressesweregazingatsomethingthroughthewindow,and,curiositytakingpossessionofhiminhisturn,heclimbeduponastonepost,elevatedhimselfontiptoe,andappliedhisfat,redfacetotheopening,shouting,"Mother,letmeseetoo!"
Atthesoundofthisclear,fresh,ringingchild'svoice,thereclusetrembled;sheturnedherheadwiththesharp,abruptmovementofasteelspring,herlong,fleshlesshandscastasidethehairfromherbrow,andshefixeduponthechild,bitter,astonished,desperateeyes.Thisglancewasbutalightningflash.
"OhmyGod!"shesuddenlyexclaimed,hidingherheadonherknees,anditseemedasthoughherhoarsevoicetoreherchestasitpassedfromit,"donotshowmethoseofothers!"
"Goodday,madam,"saidthechild,gravely.
Nevertheless,thisshockhad,sotospeak,awakenedtherecluse.
Alongshivertraversedherframefromheadtofoot;herteethchattered;shehalfraisedherheadandsaid,pressingherelbowsagainstherhips,andclaspingherfeetinherhandsasthoughtowarmthem,—
"Oh,howcolditis!"
"Poorwoman!"saidOudarde,withgreatcompassion,"wouldyoulikealittlefire?"
Sheshookherheadintokenofrefusal.
"Well,"resumedOudarde,presentingherwithaflagon;"hereissomehippocraswhichwillwarmyou;drinkit."
Againsheshookherhead,lookedatOudardefixedlyandreplied,"Water."
Oudardepersisted,—"No,sister,thatisnobeverageforJanuary.Youmustdrinkalittlehippocrasandeatthisleavenedcakeofmaize,whichwehavebakedforyou."
SherefusedthecakewhichMahietteofferedtoher,andsaid,"Blackbread."
"Come,"saidGervaise,seizedinherturnwithanimpulseofcharity,andunfasteningherwoolencloak,"hereisacloakwhichisalittlewarmerthanyours."
Sherefusedthecloakasshehadrefusedtheflagonandthecake,andreplied,"Asack."
"But,"resumedthegoodOudarde,"youmusthaveperceivedtosomeextent,thatyesterdaywasafestival."
"Idoperceiveit,"saidtherecluse;"'tistwodaysnowsinceIhavehadanywaterinmycrock."
Sheadded,afterasilence,"'Tisafestival,Iamforgotten.Peopledowell.Whyshouldtheworldthinkofme,whenIdonotthinkofit?Coldcharcoalmakescoldashes."
Andasthoughfatiguedwithhavingsaidsomuch,shedroppedherheadonherkneesagain.
ThesimpleandcharitableOudarde,whofanciedthatsheunderstoodfromherlastwordsthatshewascomplainingofthecold,repliedinnocently,"Thenyouwouldlikealittlefire?"
"Fire!"saidthesackednun,withastrangeaccent;"andwillyoualsomakealittleforthepoorlittleonewhohasbeenbeneaththesodforthesefifteenyears?"
Everylimbwastrembling,hervoicequivered,hereyesflashed,shehadraisedherselfuponherknees;suddenlysheextendedherthin,whitehandtowardsthechild,whowasregardingherwithalookofastonishment."Takeawaythatchild!"shecried.
"TheEgyptianwomanisabouttopassby."
Thenshefellfacedownwardontheearth,andherforeheadstruckthestone,withthesoundofonestoneagainstanotherstone.Thethreewomenthoughtherdead.
Amomentlater,however,shemoved,andtheybeheldherdragherself,onherkneesandelbows,tothecornerwherethelittleshoewas.
Thentheydarednotlook;theynolongersawher;buttheyheardathousandkissesandathousandsighs,mingledwithheartrendingcries,anddullblowslikethoseofaheadincontactwithawall.
Then,afteroneoftheseblows,soviolentthatallthreeofthemstaggered,theyheardnomore.
"Canshehavekilledherself?"saidGervaise,venturingtopassherheadthroughtheair–hole."Sister!SisterGudule!"
"SisterGudule!"repeatedOudarde.
"Ah!goodheavens!shenolongermoves!"resumedGervaise;"isshedead?Gudule!Gudule!"
Mahiette,chokedtosuchapointthatshecouldnotspeak,madeaneffort."Wait,"saidshe.Thenbendingtowardsthewindow,"Paquette!"shesaid,"PaquetteleChantefleurie!"
Achildwhoinnocentlyblowsuponthebadlyignitedfuseofabomb,andmakesitexplodeinhisface,isnomoreterrifiedthanwasMahietteattheeffectofthatname,abruptlylaunchedintothecellofSisterGudule.
Thereclusetrembledallover,roseerectonherbarefeet,andleapedatthewindowwitheyessoglaringthatMahietteandOudarde,andtheotherwomanandthechildrecoiledeventotheparapetofthequay.
Meanwhile,thesinisterfaceoftherecluseappearedpressedtothegratingoftheair–hole."Oh!oh!"shecried,withanappallinglaugh;"'tistheEgyptianwhoiscallingme!"
Atthatmoment,ascenewhichwaspassingatthepillorycaughtherwildeye.
Herbrowcontractedwithhorror,shestretchedhertwoskeletonarmsfromhercell,andshriekedinavoicewhichresembledadeath–rattle,"So'tisthouoncemore,daughterofEgypt!
'Tisthouwhocallestme,stealerofchildren!Well!Bethouaccursed!accursed!accursed!accursed!"
Share this article to
FINISH