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of the mind （if it is allowable to couple those two words）。 A day will
come； no doubt； when physiologists and philosophers will both admit
that the senses are； in some way； the sheath or vehicle of a keen and
penetrative active power which issues from the mind。
CHAPTER XI
WISE COUNSEL
After peace was concluded between France and Austria； towards the end
of the month of February； 1806； a relative； whose influence had been
employed for the reinstatement of the Simeuse brothers； and who was
destined later to give them signal proofs of family attachment； the
ci…devant Marquis de Chargeboeuf； whose estates extended from the
department of the Seine…et…Marne to that of the Aube； arrived one
morning at Cinq…Cygne in a species of caleche which was then named in
derision a /berlingot/。 When this shabby carriage was driven past the
windows the inhabitants of the chateau； who were at breakfast； were
convulsed with laughter； but when the bald head of the old man was
seen issuing from behind the leather curtain of the vehicle Monsieur
d'Hauteserre told his name； and all present rose instantly to receive
and do honor to the head of the house of Chargeboeuf。
〃We have done wrong to let him come to us；〃 said the Marquis de
Simeuse to his brother and the d'Hauteserres； 〃we ought to have gone
to him and made our acknowledgements。〃
A servant； dressed as a peasant； who drove the horses from a seat on a
level with the body of the carriage； slipped his cartman's whip into a
coarse leather socket； and got down from the box to assist the marquis
from the carriage； but Adrien and the younger de Simeuse prevented
him； unbuttoned the leather apron； and helped the old man out in spite
of his protestations。 This gentleman of the old school chose to
consider his yellow /berlingot/ with its leather curtains a most
convenient and excellent equipage。 The servant； assisted by Gothard；
unharnessed the stout horses with shining flanks； accustomed no doubt
to do as much duty at the plough as in a carriage。
〃In spite of this cold weather！ Why； you are a knight of the olden
time；〃 said Laurence； to her visitor； taking his arm and leading him
into the salon。
〃What has he come for？〃 thought old d'Hauteserre。
Monsieur de Chargeboeuf； a handsome old gentleman of sixty…six； in
light…colored breeches； his small weak legs encased in colored
stockings； wore powder； pigeon…wings and a queue。 His green cloth
hunting…coat with gold buttons was braided and frogged with gold。 His
white waistcoat glittered with gold embroidery。 This apparel； still in
vogue among old people； became his face； which was not unlike that of
Frederick the Great。 He never put on his three…cornered hat lest he
should destroy the effect of the half…moon traced upon his cranium by
a layer of powder。 His right hand； resting on a hooked cane； held both
cane and hat in a manner worthy of Louis XIV。 The fine old gentleman
took off his wadded silk pelisse and seated himself in an armchair；
holding the three…cornered hat and the cane between his knees in an
attitude the secret of which has never been grasped by any but the
roues of Louis XV。's court； an attitude which left the hands free to
play with a snuff…box； always a precious trinket。 Accordingly the
marquis drew from the pocket of his waistcoat； which was closed by a
flap embroidered in gold arabesques； a sumptuous snuff…box。 While
fingering his own pinch and offering the box around him with another
charming gesture accompanied with kindly smiles； he noticed the
pleasure which his visit gave。 He seemed then to comprehend why these
young /emigres/ had been remiss in their duty towards him； and to be
saying to himself； 〃When we are making love we can't make visits。〃
〃You will stay with us some days？〃 said Laurence。
〃Impossible；〃 he replied。 〃If we were not so separated by events （for
as to distance； you go farther than that which lies between us） you
would know； my dear child； that I have daughters； daughters…in…law；
and grand…children。 All these dear creatures would be very uneasy if I
did not return to them to…night； and I have forty…five miles to go。〃
〃Your horses are in good condition；〃 said the Marquis de Simeuse。
〃Oh！ I am just from Troyes； where I had business yesterday。〃
After the customary polite inquiries for the Marquise de Chargeboeuf
and other matters really uninteresting but about which politeness
assumes that we are keenly interested； it dawned on Monsieur
d'Hauteserre that the old gentleman had come to warn his young
relatives against imprudence。 He remarked that times were changed and
no one could tell what the Emperor might now become。
〃Oh！〃 said Laurence； 〃he'll make himself God。〃
The Marquis spoke of the wisdom of concession。 When he stated； with
more emphasis and authority than he put into his other remarks； the
necessity of submission； Monsieur d'Hauteserre looked at his sons with
an almost supplicating air。
〃Would you serve that man？〃 asked the Marquis de Simeuse。
〃Yes； I would； if the interests of my family required it；〃 replied
Monsieur de Chargeboeuf。
Gradually the old man made them aware； though vaguely； of some
threatened danger。 When Laurence begged him to explain the nature of
it； he advised the four young men to refrain from hunting and to keep
themselves as much in retirement as possible。
〃You treat the domain of Gondreville as if it were your own；〃 he said
to the Messieurs de Simeuse； 〃and you are keeping alive a deadly
hatred。 I see； by the surprise upon your faces； that you are quite
unaware of the ill…will against you at Troyes； where your late brave
conduct is remembered。 They tell of how you foiled the police of the
Empire； some praise you for it； but others regard you as enemies of
the Emperor； partisans declare that Napoleon's clemency is
inexplicable。 That； however； is nothing。 The real danger lies here；
you foiled men who thought themselves cleverer than you； and low…bred
men never forgive。 Sooner or later justice； which in your department
emanates from your enemy； Senator Malin （who has his henchmen
everywhere； even in the ministerial offices）；/his/ justice will
rejoice to see you involved in some annoying scrape。 A peasant； for
instance； will quarrel with you for riding over his field； your guns
are in your hands； you are hot…tempered； and something happens。 In
your position it is absolutely essential that you should not put
yourselves in the wrong。 I do not speak to you thus without good
reason。 The police keep this arrondissement under strict surveillance；
they have an agent in that little hole of Arcis expressly to protect
the Imperial senator Malin against your attacks。 He is afraid of you；
and says so openly。〃
〃It is a calumny！〃 cried the younger Simeuse。
〃A calumny；I am sure of it myself； but will the public believe it？
Michu certainly did aim at the senator； who does not forget the danger
he was in； and since your return the countess has taken Michu into her
service。 To many persons； in fact to the majority； Malin will seem to
be in the right。 You do not understand how delicate the position of an
/emigre/ is towards those who are now in possession of his prop