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argues it； and considers it the only true one。 In spite of the strong
light cast upon people's lives by the constant spying of a little
town； truth is thus often obscured； and to be recognized； it needs the
impartiality which historians or superior minds acquire by looking at
the subject from a higher point of view。
〃What do you suppose that old gorilla wants at his age with a little
girl only fifteen years old？〃 society was still saying two years after
the arrival of the Rabouilleuse。
〃Ah！ that's true；〃 they answered； 〃his days of merry…making are long
past。〃
〃My dear fellow； the doctor is disgusted at the stupidity of his son；
and he persists in hating his daughter Agathe； it may be that he has
been living a decent life for the last two years； intending to marry
little Flore； suppose she were to give him a fine； active； strapping
boy； full of life like Max？〃 said one of the wise heads of the town。
〃Bah！ don't talk nonsense！ After such a life as Rouget and Lousteau
led from 1770 to 1787； is it likely that either of them would have
children at sixty…five years of age？ The old villain has read the
Scriptures； if only as a doctor； and he is doing as David did in his
old age； that's all。〃
〃They say that Brazier； when he is drunk； boasts in Vatan that he
cheated him；〃 cried one of those who always believed the worst of
people。
〃Good heavens！ neighbor； what won't they say at Issoudun？〃
From 1800 to 1805； that is； for five years； the doctor enjoyed all the
pleasures of educating Flore without the annoyances which the
ambitions and pretensions of Mademoiselle de Romans inflicted； it is
said； on Louis le Bien…Aime。 The little Rabouilleuse was so satisfied
when she compared the life she led at the doctor's with that she would
have led at her uncle Brazier's； that she yielded no doubt to the
exactions of her master as if she had been an Eastern slave。 With due
deference to the makers of idylls and to philanthropists； the
inhabitants of the provinces have very little idea of certain virtues；
and their scruples are of a kind that is roused by self…interest； and
not by any sentiment of the right or the becoming。 Raised from infancy
with no prospect before them but poverty and ceaseless labor； they are
led to consider anything that saves them from the hell of hunger and
eternal toil as permissible； particularly if it is not contrary to any
law。 Exceptions to this rule are rare。 Virtue； socially speaking； is
the companion of a comfortable life； and comes only with education。
Thus the Rabouilleuse was an object of envy to all the young peasant…
girls within a circuit of ten miles； although her conduct； from a
religious point of view； was supremely reprehensible。 Flore； born in
1787； grew up in the midst of the saturnalias of 1793 and 1798； whose
lurid gleams penetrated these country regions； then deprived of
priests and faith and altars and religious ceremonies； where marriage
was nothing more than legal coupling； and revolutionary maxims left a
deep impression。 This was markedly the case at Issoudun； a land where；
as we have seen； revolt of all kinds is traditional。 In 1802； Catholic
worship was scarcely re…established。 The Emperor found it a difficult
matter to obtain priests。 In 1806； many parishes all over France were
still widowed； so slowly were the clergy； decimated by the scaffold；
gathered together again after their violent dispersion。
In 1802； therefore； nothing was likely to reproach Flore Brazier；
unless it might be her conscience； and conscience was sure to be
weaker than self…interest in the ward of Uncle Brazier。 If； as
everybody chose to suppose； the cynical doctor was compelled by his
age to respect a child of fifteen； the Rabouilleuse was none the less
considered very 〃wide awake；〃 a term much used in that region。 Still；
some persons thought she could claim a certificate of innocence from
the cessation of the doctor's cares and attentions in the last two
years of his life； during which time he showed her something more than
coldness。
Old Rouget had killed too many people not to know when his own end was
nigh； and his notary； finding him on his death…bed； draped as it were；
in the mantle of encyclopaedic philosophy； pressed him to make a
provision in favor of the young girl； then seventeen years old。
〃So I do；〃 he said； cynically； 〃my death sets her at liberty。〃
This speech paints the nature of the old man。 Covering his evil doings
with witty sayings； he obtained indulgence for them； in a land where
wit is always applauded；especially when addressed to obvious self…
interest。 In those words the notary read the concentrated hatred of a
man whose calculations had been balked by Nature herself； and who
revenged himself upon the innocent object of an impotent love。 This
opinion was confirmed to some extent by the obstinate resolution of
the doctor to leave nothing to the Rabouilleuse； saying with a bitter
smile； when the notary again urged the subject upon him；
〃Her beauty will make her rich enough！〃
CHAPTER IX
Jean…Jacques Rouget did not mourn his father； though Flore Brazier
did。 The old doctor had made his son extremely unhappy； especially
since he came of age； which happened in 1791； but he had given the
little peasant…girl the material pleasures which are the ideal of
happiness to country…folk。 When Fanchette asked Flore； after the
funeral； 〃Well； what is to become of you； now that monsieur is dead？〃
Jean…Jacques's eyes lighted up； and for the first time in his life his
dull face grew animated； showed feeling； and seemed to brighten under
the rays of a thought。
〃Leave the room；〃 he said to Fanchette； who was clearing the table。
At seventeen； Flore retained that delicacy of feature and form； that
distinction of beauty which attracted the doctor； and which women of
the world know how to preserve； though it fades among the peasant…
girls like the flowers of the field。 Nevertheless； the tendency to
embonpoint； which handsome countrywomen develop when they no longer
live a life of toil and hardship in the fields and in the sunshine；
was already noticeable about her。 Her bust had developed。 The plump
white shoulders were modelled on rich lines that harmoniously blended
with those of the throat； already showing a few folds of flesh。 But
the outline of the face was still faultless； and the chin delicate。
〃Flore；〃 said Jean…Jacques； in a trembling voice； 〃you feel at home in
this house？〃
〃Yes； Monsieur Jean。〃
As the heir was about to make his declaration； he felt his tongue
stiffen at the recollection of the dead man； just put away in his
grave； and a doubt seized him as to what lengths his father's
benevolence might have gone。 Flore； who was quite unable even to
suspect his simplicity of mind； looked at her future master and waited
for a time； expecting Jean…Jacques to go on with what he was saying；
but she finally left him without