saw that her eyes
were full of tears. But he could have sooner squared the circle
than have guessed what had happened in the Rogrons' house during the
fortnight which had elapsed since his arrival.

It was not without keen apprehension that Pierrette came downstairs on
the morning after Brigaut had invaded her morning dreams like another
dream. She was certain that her cousin Sylvie must have heard the song,
or she would not have risen and opened her window; but Pierrette was
ignorant of the powerful reasons that made the old maid so alert. For
the last eight days, strange events and bitter feelings agitated the
minds of the chief personages who frequented the Rogron salon. These
hidden matters, carefully concealed by all concerned, were destined to
fall in their results like an avalanche on Pierrette. Such mysterious
things, which we ought perhaps to call the putrescence of the human
heart, lie at the base of the greatest revolutions, political, social or
domestic; but in telling of them it is desirable to explain that their
subtle significance cannot be given in a matter-of-fact narrative. These
secret schemes and calculations do not show themselves as brutally and
undisguisedly while taking place as they must when the history of them
is related. To set down in writing the circumlocutions, oratorical
precautions, protracted conversations, and honeyed words glossed over
the venom of intentions, would make as long a book as that magnificent
poem called "Clarissa Harlowe."

Mademoiselle Habert and Mademoiselle Sylvie were equally desirous
of marrying, but one was ten years older than the other, and the
probabilities of life allowed Celeste Habert to expect that her children
would inherit all the Rogron property. Sylvie was forty-two, an age
at which marriage is beset by perils. In confiding to each other
their ideas, Celeste, instigated by her vindictive brother the priest,
enlightened Sylvie as to the dangers she would incur. Sylvie trembled;
she was terribly afraid of death, an idea which shakes all celibates
to their centre. But just at this time the Martignac ministry came into
power,--a Liberal victory which overthrew the Villele administration.
The Vinet party now carried their heads high in Provins. Vinet himself
became a personage. The Liberals prophesied his advancement; he would
certainly be deputy and attorney-general. As for the colonel, he would
be made mayor of Provins. Ah, to reign as Madame Garceland, th