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By one of those strange freaks of circumstance which are never
accounted for； the other vicar…general； the Abbe de Grancour； a stout
little man with a rosy complexion and blue eyes； whose opinions were
diametrically opposed to those of the Abbe Dutheil； liked to be in the
latter's company； although he never testified this liking enough to
put himself out of the good graces of the bishop； to whom he would
have sacrificed everything。 The Abbe de Grancour believed in the merit
of his colleague； recognized his talents； secretly accepted his
doctrines； and condemned them openly； for the little priest was one of
those men whom superiority attracts and intimidates；who dislike it
and yet cultivate it。 〃He would embrace me and condemn me；〃 the Abbe
Dutheil said of him。 The Abbe de Grancour had neither friends nor
enemies； he was therefore likely to live and die a vicar…general。 He
said he was drawn to visit Madame Graslin by the desire of counselling
so religious and benevolent a person； and the bishop approved of his
doing so；Monsieur de Grancour's real object being to spend a few
evenings with the Abbe Dutheil in Veronique's salon。
The two priests now came pretty regularly to see Madame Graslin； and
make her a sort of report about her poor and discuss the best means of
succoring and improving them。 But Monsieur Graslin had now begun to
tighten his purse…strings； having made the discovery； in spite of the
innocent deceptions of his wife and her maid； that the money he paid
did not go solely for household expenses and for dress。 He was angry
when he found out how much money his wife's charities cost him； he
called the cook to account； inquired into all the details of the
housekeeping； and showed what a grand administrator he was by
practically proving that his house could be splendidly kept for three
thousand francs a year。 Then he put his wife on an allowance of a
hundred francs a month； and boasted of his liberality in so doing。 The
office…boy； who liked flowers； was made to take care of the garden on
Sundays。 Having dismissed the gardener； Graslin used the greenhouse to
store articles conveyed to him as security for loans。 He let the birds
in the aviary die for want of care； to avoid the cost of their food
and attendance。 And he even took advantage of a winter when there was
no ice； to give up his icehouse and save the expense of filling it。
By 1828 there was not a single article of luxury in the house which he
had not in some way got rid of。 Parsimony reigned unchecked in the
hotel Graslin。 The master's face； greatly improved during the three
years spent with his wife （who induced him to follow his physician's
advice）； now became redder； more fiery； more blotched than before。
Business had taken such proportions that it was necessary to promote
the boy…of…all…work to the position of cashier； and to find some stout
Auvergnat for the rougher service of the hotel Graslin。
Thus； four years after her marriage； this very rich woman could not
dispose of a single penny by her own will。 The avarice of her husband
succeeded the avarice of her parents。 Madame Graslin had never
understood the necessity of money until the time came when her
benevolence was checked。
By the beginning of the year 1828 Veronique had entirely recovered the
blooming health which had given such beauty to the innocent young girl
sitting at her window in the old house in the rue de la Cite； but by
this time she had acquired a fine literary education； and was fully
able to think and to speak。 An excellent judgment gave real depth to
her words。 Accustomed now to the little things of life； she wore the
fashions of the period with infinite grace。 When she chanced about
this time to visit a salon she found herselfnot without a certain
inward surprisereceived by all with respectful esteem。 These changed
feelings and this welcome were due to the two vicars…general and to
old Grossetete。 Informed by them of her noble hidden life； and the
good deeds so constantly done in their midst； the bishop and a few
influential persons spoke of Madame Graslin as a flower of true piety；
a violet fragrant with virtues； in consequence of which； one of those
strong reactions set in； unknown to Veronique； which are none the less
solid and durable because they are long in coming。 This change in
public opinion gave additional influence to Veronique's salon； which
was now visited by all the chief persons in the society of the town；
in consequence of certain circumstances we shall now relate。
Toward the close of this year the young Vicomte de Grandville was sent
as deputy solicitor to the courts of Limoges。 He came preceded by a
reputation always given to Parisians in the provinces。 A few days
after his arrival； during a soiree at the prefecture； he made answer
to a rather foolish question； that the most able； intelligent； and
distinguished woman he had met in the town was Madame Graslin。
〃Perhaps you think her the handsomest also？〃 said the wife of the
receiver…general。
〃I cannot think so in your presence； madame；〃 he replied； 〃and
therefore I am in doubt。 Madame Graslin possesses a beauty which need
inspire no jealousy； for it seldom shows itself： she is only beautiful
to those she loves； you are beautiful to all the world。 When Madame
Graslin's soul is moved by true enthusiasm； it sheds an expression
upon her face which changes it completely。 Her countenance is like a
landscape；dull in winter； glorious in summer； but the world will
always see it in winter。 When she talks with friends on some literary
or philosophical topic； or on certain religious questions which
interest her； she is roused into appearing suddenly an unknown woman
of marvellous beauty。〃
This declaration； which was caused by observing the phenomenon that
formerly made Veronique so beautiful on her return from the holy
table； made a great noise in Limoges； where for a time the young
deputy； to whom the place of the /procureur…general/ was said to be
promised； played a leading part。 In all provincial towns a man who
rises a trifle above others becomes； for a period more or less
protracted； the object of a liking which resembles enthusiasm； and
which usually deceives the object of this ephemeral worship。 It is to
this social caprice that we owe so many local geniuses； soon ignored
and their false reputations mortified。 The men whom women make the
fashion in this way are oftener strangers than compatriots。
In this particular case the admirers of the Vicomte de Grandville were
not mistaken； he was in truth a superior man。 Madame Graslin was the
only woman he found in Limoges with whom he could exchange ideas and
keep up a varied conversation。 A few months after his arrival；
attracted by the increasing charm of Veronique's manners and
conversation； he proposed to the Abbe Dutheil； and a few other of the
remarkable men in Limoges； to meet in the evenings at Madame Graslin's
house and play whist。 At this time Madame Graslin was at home five
evenings in the week to visitors； reserving two free days； as she
said； for herself。
When Madame Graslin had thus gathered about her the distinguished men
we have mentioned； othe