comprehensible; the price of sale and the amounts falling due were both
clearly indicated in the deed. But it was quite different with the
bargains made by the owner himself, which were often credited by notes
payable at sight, mostly worded in confused terms, unintelligible to any
but the original writer. Julien became completely bewildered among these
various documents, the explanations in which were harder to understand
than conundrums. Although greatly averse to following the notary's
advice as to seeking Claudet's assistance, he found himself compelled to
do so, but was met by such laconic and surly answers that he concluded it
would be more dignified on his part to dispense with the services of one
who was so badly disposed toward him. He therefore resolved to have
recourse to the debtors themselves, whose names he found, after much
difficulty, in the books. These consisted mostly of peasants of the
neighborhood, who came to the chateau at his summons; but as soon as they
came into Julien's presence, they discovered, with that cautious
perception which is an instinct with rustic minds, that before them stood
a man completely ignorant of the customs of the country, and very poorly
informed on Claude de Buxieres's affairs. They made no scruple of
mystifying this "city gentleman," by means of ambiguous statements and
cunning reticence. The young man could get no enlightenment from them;
all he clearly understood was, that they were making fun of him, and that
he was not able to cope with these country bumpkins, whose shrewdness
would have done honor to the most experienced lawyer.

After a few days he became discouraged and disgusted. He could see
nothing but trouble ahead; he seemed surrounded by either open enemies or
people inclined to take advantage of him. It was plain that all the
population of the village looked upon him as an intruder, a troublesome
master, a stranger whom they would like to intimidate and send about his
business. Manette Sejournant, who was always talking about going, still