mained behind to
face the disaster, with the knowledge born of her narrow and straitened
experience as a village woman, who knows what a stamped document--a
signature--is, and thinks honour is the greatest and best thing in
the world. Her peasant's cap made its appearance on every floor of
the mansion, examining bills, reforming the domestic arrangements, and
fearing neither outcries or humiliation. At all hours the good woman
might be seen striding about the Place Vendome, gesticulating, talking
to herself, and saying aloud: "_Te_, I will go and see the bailiff."
And never did she consult her son about anything save when it was
indispensable, and then only in a few discreet words, while avoiding
even a glance at him. To rouse Jansoulet from his torpor it had required
de Gery's telegram, dated from Marseilles, announcing that he was on his
way back, bringing ten million francs. Ten millions!--that is to say,
bankruptcy averted, the possibility of recovering his position--of
starting life afresh. And behold our southerner rebounding from the
depth of his fall, intoxicated with joy, and full of hope. He ordered
the windows to be opened and newspapers to be brought to him. What a
magnificent opportunity was this first night of _Revolt_ to show himself
to the Parisians, who were believing him to have gone under, to enter
the great whirlpool once more through the swing door of his box at the
Nouveautes! His mother, warned by some instinct, did indeed try to hold
him back. Paris now terrified her. She would have liked to carry off her
child to some unknown corner of the Midi, to nurse him along with his
elder brother--stricken down both of them by the great city. But he was
the master. Resistance was impossible to that will of a man spoiled by
wealth. She helped him to dress for the occasion, "made him look nice,"
as she said laughing, and watched him not without a certain pride as
he departed, dignified, full of new life, having almost got over the
prostration of the preceding days.

After his arrival at the theatre, Jansoulet quickly perceived the
commotion which his presence caused in the house. Accustomed to similar
curious ovations, he acknowledged them ordinarily without the least
embarrassment, with a frank display of his wide and good-natured smile;
but this time the manifestation was hostile, almost indignant.

"What! It is he?"

"There he is."

"What impudence!"

Such exclamations from the stalls confusedly ro