The Shadow of the Guillotine

           

           AssoonashehadgoneoutJulienweptdesperatelyandforalongtime.HegraduallyadmittedtohimselfthatifmadamedeRênalhadbeenatBesançonhewouldhaveconfessedhisweaknesstoher.ThemomentwhenhewasregrettingtheabsenceofthisbelovedwomanheheardMathilde’sstep.

           "Theworstevilofbeinginprison,"hethought"isone’sinabilitytocloseone’sdoor."AllMathildesaidonlyirritatedhim.

           ShetoldhimthatM.deValenodhadhadhisnominationtotheprefectshipinhispocketonthedayofhistrial,andhadconsequentlydaredtodefyM.deFrilairandgivehimselfthepleasureofcondemninghimtodeath.

           "Whydidyourfriendtakeitintohishead,"M.deFrilairjustsaidtome,"toawakenandattackthepettyvanityofthatbourgeoisaristocracy.Whytalkaboutcaste?Hepointedouttothemwhattheyoughttodointheirownpoliticalinterest;thefoolshadnotbeengivingitathoughtandwerequitereadytoweep.Thatcasteinterestintervenedandblindedtheireyestothehorrorofcondemningamantodeath.OnemustadmitthatM.Sorelisveryinexperienced.Ifwedonotsucceedinsavinghimbyapetitionforareprieve,hisdeathwillbeakindofsuicide."

           MathildewascarefulnottotellJulienamatterconcerningwhichshehadnownolongeranydoubts;itwasthattheabbédeFrilairseeingthatJulienwasruined,hadthoughtthatitwouldfurtherhisambitiousprojectstotryandbecomehissuccessor.

           "Goandlistentoamassforme,"hesaidtoMathilde,almostbesidehimselfwithvexationandimpotentrage,andleavemeamomentinpeace.

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