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The clear-sightedness of that sly old fox seemed indispensable for an understanding of the reefs among which the Listomere family suddenly found themselves; and perhaps the action of taking his hat and cane was only a ruse to have it whispered in his ear: "Stay after the others; we want to talk to you."
The poor old man will be buried in a living tomb. Oh, it is an infamous plot!" To end this history it will suffice to relate a few events in a simple way, and to give one last picture of its chief personages. Five months later the vicar-general was made Bishop of Troyes; and Madame de Listomere was dead, leaving an annuity of fifteen hundred francs to the Abbe Birotteau.
Madame de Listomere began by expressing the regret she had felt at Birotteau's lawsuit; and then went on to speak of her desire to settle the matter to the satisfaction of both parties. "The harm is done, madame," said the priest, in a grave voice. "The pious and excellent Mademoiselle Gamard is dying."
The poor old man will be buried in a living tomb. Oh, it is an infamous plot!" To end this history it will suffice to relate a few events in a simple way, and to give one last picture of its chief personages. Five months later the vicar-general was made Bishop of Troyes; and Madame de Listomere was dead, leaving an annuity of fifteen hundred francs to the Abbe Birotteau.
The loftiest pretensions were there respected. During the winter of 1833, when society rallied after the revolution of July, some salons, notably those of Mesdames d'Espard and de Listomere, Mademoiselle des Touches, and the Duchesse de Grandlieu, had selected certain of the celebrities in art, science, literature, and politics, and received them.
"We will consult lawyers," said Madame de Listomere, "and go to law if law is best. But this affair is so disgraceful for Mademoiselle Gamard, and is likely to be so injurious to the Abbe Troubert, that I think we can compromise."
I did not think of it!" replied Monsieur de Bourbonne, gazing at the priest with a sort of pity. All Tours was soon aware that Madame la Baronne de Listomere, widow of a lieutenant-general, had invited the Abbe Birotteau, vicar of Saint-Gatien, to stay at her house.
For a long time nothing had entered the sphere of these existences so serious and so momentous to each one of them as the struggle of Birotteau, supported by Madame de Listomere, against Mademoiselle Gamard and the Abbe Troubert.
"When he had ended his pompous discourse," said Monsieur de Bourbonne, after relating the incidents of the internment to Madame de Listomere when whist was over, the doors shut, and they were alone with the baron, "this Louis XI. in a cassock imagine him if you can! gave a last flourish to the sprinkler and aspersed the coffin with holy water."
"Madame had just received such a fine love-letter; and she read it," said Caroline to the housemaid. "I should never have thought that of madame," replied the other, quite surprised. That evening Madame de Listomere went to a party at the Marquis de Beauseant's, where Rastignac would probably betake himself. It was Saturday.
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