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"Yes, yes, a washerwoman When I was ten That's twelve years ago We used to go to the river It smelt nicer there than it does here You should have seen, there was a nook under the trees, with clear running water You know, at Plassans Don't you know Plassans? It's near Marseilles." "How you go at it!" exclaimed Madame Boche, amazed at the strength of her blows.
It proceeds from the sixth volume of the series, 'The Conquest of Plassans; which is followed by the two works that deal with the career of Octave Mouret, Abbe Serge Mouret's elder brother. In 'The Conquest of Plassans, Serge and his half-witted sister, Desiree, are seen in childhood at their home in Plassans, which is wrecked by the doings of a certain Abbe Faujas and his relatives.
We started, as I have said, from Plassans, and here we are now arrived once more at Plassans." He paused again, and then resumed in a low, dreamy voice: "What an appalling mass stirred up! how many passions, how many joys, how many sufferings crammed into this colossal heap of facts!
It is here, about half-way along the street, that stands the Sub-Prefecture, in the rear of a small square planted with sickly trees; the people of Plassans are very proud of this edifice. As if to keep more isolated and shut up within itself, the town is belted with old ramparts, which only serve to increase its gloom and render it more confined.
The fact is that the wealth of Roudier and Granoux exasperated Aristide to such a degree as to make him forget all prudence. Urged on by his jealous, insatiate bitterness, he had already made the middle classes his irreconcilable enemy, when Eugene's arrival and demeanour at Plassans caused him great consternation. He confessed to himself that his brother was a skilful man.
The official news of the Coup d'Etat did not reach Plassans until the afternoon of December 3 a Thursday. Already, at seven o'clock in the evening, there was a full meeting in the yellow drawing-room. Although the crisis had been eagerly desired, vague uneasiness appeared on the faces of the majority. They discussed events amid endless chatter.
"If the department remains quiet, if no insurrection occurs to terrify Plassans, it will be difficult for you to make yourselves conspicuous and render any services to the new government. I advise you, in that case, to remain at home, and peacefully await the bounties of your son Eugene. But if the people rise, and our brave bourgeois think themselves in danger, there will be a fine part to play.
One of the writers was commencing, in an emphatic voice, "Inhabitants of Plassans, the hour of independence has struck, the reign of justice has begun " when a noise was heard at the door of the office, which was slowly pushed open. "Is it you, Cassoute?" Macquart asked, interrupting the perusal. Nobody answered; but the door opened wider. "Come in, do!" he continued, impatiently.
They exchanged a look in which they read their common thoughts: so now the old woman would not trouble them any more: the poacher's hovel would be razed to the ground, as the walls of the Fouques' enclosure had been demolished; and they would for ever enjoy the respect and esteem of Plassans. But the guests were looking at the table. Felicite showed the gentlemen their seats. It was perfect bliss.
And the first episode, here called "The Fortune of the Rougons," should scientifically be entitled "The Origin." EMILE ZOLA PARIS, July 1, 1871. On quitting Plassans by the Rome Gate, on the southern side of the town, you will find, on the right side of the road to Nice, and a little way past the first suburban houses, a plot of land locally known as the Aire Saint-Mittre.
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