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Maitre Cornelius
by Honore de Balzac
Translated by Katharine Prescott Wormeley
DEDICATION
To Monsieur le Comte Georges Mniszech：
Some envious being may think on seeing this page illustrated by
one of the most illustrious of Sarmatian names； that I am
striving； as the goldsmiths do； to enhance a modern work with an
ancient jewel；a fancy of the fashions of the day；but you and a
few others； dear count； will know that I am only seeking to pay my
debt to Talent； Memory； and Friendship。
MAITRE CORNELIUS
CHAPTER I
A CHURCH SCENE OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY
In 1479； on All Saints' day； the moment at which this history begins；
vespers were ending in the cathedral of Tours。 The archbishop Helie de
Bourdeilles was rising from his seat to give the benediction himself
to the faithful。 The sermon had been long； darkness had fallen during
the service； and in certain parts of the noble church （the towers of
which were not yet finished） the deepest obscurity prevailed。
Nevertheless a goodly number of tapers were burning in honor of the
saints on the triangular candle…trays destined to receive such pious
offerings； the merit and signification of which have never been
sufficiently explained。 The lights on each altar and all the
candelabra in the choir were burning。 Irregularly shed among a forest
of columns and arcades which supported the three naves of the
cathedral； the gleam of these masses of candles barely lighted the
immense building； because the strong shadows of the columns； projected
among the galleries； produced fantastic forms which increased the
darkness that already wrapped in gloom the arches； the vaulted
ceilings； and the lateral chapels； always sombre； even at mid…day。
The crowd presented effects that were no less picturesque。 Certain
figures were so vaguely defined in the 〃chiaroscuro〃 that they seemed
like phantoms； whereas others； standing in a full gleam of the
scattered light； attracted attention like the principal heads in a
picture。 Some statues seemed animated； some men seemed petrified。 Here
and there eyes shone in the flutings of the columns； the floor
reflected looks； the marbles spoke； the vaults re…echoed sighs； the
edifice itself seemed endowed with life。
The existence of Peoples has no more solemn scenes； no moments more
majestic。 To mankind in the mass； movement is needed to make it
poetical； but in these hours of religious thought； when human riches
unite themselves with celestial grandeur； incredible sublimities are
felt in the silence； there is fear in the bended knee； hope in the
clasping hands。 The concert of feelings in which all souls are rising
heavenward produces an inexplicable phenomenon of spirituality。 The
mystical exaltation of the faithful reacts upon each of them； the
feebler are no doubt borne upward by the waves of this ocean of faith
and love。 Prayer； a power electrical； draws our nature above itself。
This involuntary union of all wills； equally prostrate on the earth；
equally risen into heaven； contains； no doubt； the secret of the magic
influences wielded by the chants of the priests； the harmonies of the
organ； the perfumes and the pomps of the altar； the voices of the
crowd and its silent contemplations。 Consequently； we need not be
surprised to see in the middle…ages so many tender passions begun in
churches after long ecstasies；passions ending often in little
sanctity； and for which women； as usual； were the ones to do penance。
Religious sentiment certainly had； in those days； an affinity with
love； it was either the motive or the end of it。 Love was still a
religion； with its fine fanaticism； its naive superstitions； its
sublime devotions； which sympathized with those of Christianity。
The manners of that period will also serve to explain this alliance
between religion and love。 In the first place society had no meeting…
place except before the altar。 Lords and vassals； men and women were
equals nowhere else。 There alone could lovers see each other and
communicate。 The festivals of the Church were the theatre of former
times； the soul of woman was more keenly stirred in a cathedral than
it is at a ball or the opera in our day； and do not strong emotions
invariably bring women back to love？ By dint of mingling with life and
grasping it in all its acts and interests； religion had made itself a
sharer of all virtues； the accomplice of all vices。 Religion had
passed into science； into politics； into eloquence； into crimes； into
the flesh of the sick man and the poor man； it mounted thrones； it was
everywhere。 These semi…learned observations will serve； perhaps； to
vindicate the truth of this study； certain details of which may
frighten the perfected morals of our age； which are； as everybody
knows； a trifle straitlaced。
At the moment when the chanting ceased and the last notes of the
organ； mingling with the vibrations of the loud 〃A…men〃 as it issued
from the strong chests of the intoning clergy； sent a murmuring echo
through the distant arches； and the hushed assembly were awaiting the
beneficent words of the archbishop； a burgher； impatient to get home；
or fearing for his purse in the tumult of the crowd when the
worshippers dispersed； slipped quietly away； at the risk of being
called a bad Catholic。 On which； a nobleman； leaning against one of
the enormous columns that surround the choir； hastened to take
possession of the seat abandoned by the worthy Tourainean。 Having done
so； he quickly hid his face among the plumes of his tall gray cap；
kneeling upon the chair with an air of contrition that even an
inquisitor would have trusted。
Observing the new…comer attentively； his immediate neighbors seemed to
recognize him； after which they returned to their prayers with a
certain gesture by which they all expressed the same thought；a
caustic； jeering thought； a silent slander。 Two old women shook their
heads； and gave each other a glance that seemed to dive into futurity。
The chair into which the young man had slipped was close to a chapel
placed between two columns and closed by an iron railing。 It was
customary for the chapter to lease at a handsome price to seignorial
families； and even to rich burghers； the right to be present at the
services； themselves and their servants exclusively； in the various
lateral chapels of the long side…aisles of the cathedral。 This simony
is in practice to the present day。 A woman had her chapel as she now
has her opera…box。 The families who hired these privileged places were
required to decorate the altar of the chapel thus conceded to them；
and each made it their pride to adorn their own sumptuously；a vanity
which the Church did not rebuke。 In this particular chapel a lady was
kneeling close to the railing on a handsome rug of red velvet with
gold tassels； precisely opposite to the seat vacated of the burgher。 A
silver…gilt lamp； hangin