"But, my kitten, it is not I who say those frightful things. I repeat
to you the stupid reports they spread, so that you may comprehend that
Pascal is wrong to pay no heed to public opinion. He thinks he has
found a new remedy--nothing could be better! and I will even admit
that he will be able to cure everybody, as he hopes. Only, why affect
these mysterious ways; why not speak of the matter openly; why, above
all, try it only on the rabble of the old quarter and of the country,
instead of, attempting among the well-to-do people of the town,
striking cures which would do him honor? No, my child, you see your
uncle has never been able to act like other people."

She had assumed a grieved tone, lowering her voice, to display the
secret wound of her heart.

"God be thanked! it is not men of worth who are wanting in our family;
my other sons have given me satisfaction enough. Is it not so? Your
Uncle Eugene rose high enough, minister for twelve years, almost
emperor! And your father himself handled many a million, and had a
part in many a one of the great works which have made Paris a new
city. Not to speak at all of your brother, Maxime, so rich, so
distinguished, nor of your cousin, Octave Mouret, one of the kings of
the new commerce, nor of our dear Abbe Mouret, who is a saint! Well,
then, why does Pascal, who might have followed in the footsteps of
them all, persist in living in his hole, like an eccentric old fool?"

And as the young girl was again going to protest, she closed her
mouth, with a caressing gesture of her hand.

"No, no, let me finish. I know very well that Pascal is not a fool,
that he has written remarkable works, that his communications to the