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But try to find me a Jansenist, afriend of M.
A few hours earlier, he had left
herten leagues from Besancon. Mademoiselle de La Mole, having failed to get
anything out of Julien,made the lawyer come in. My first duty is towards you,
she said to him as she embraced him;I have fled from Verrieres .
He did not
know how to get rid of hisfather. The other incident, which affected Julien far
more keenly, arose fromMadame de Renal. I have a mission from on high; it is I
that am tosave the soul of young Sorel. But you have three clear daysin which
to appeal, and it is my duty to come back each day.
Her tone was so melancholy
that Julien embraced her with a happinessthat was quite new to him.
Take them
in the same carriage, he had told him.
The turnkey made thesign of the Cross,
and left the cell radiant. He saw that snowy handclutching it with a convulsive
movement; he saw Madame de Renal weep.
I have caught you at the samegame,
Father, play-acting like any missionary . Your conversion would strike an echo
in their hearts, and would leavea profound impression there.
Take them in the
same carriage, he had told him.
Julien laughed heartily at this sally of his
own wit. The influence of my contemporaries is too strong for me, he saidaloud
and with a bitter laugh. Not precisely that, Sir, to be guillotined in three
days time.
This inspired utterance altered the old mans _expression_ and
Juliensown position. To others, I am at best only amight-have-been.
After they
had left him, Julien was no longer the same man.
I am in the condemned cell,
hesaid to himself, awaiting my sentence.
Can we not spend two monthstogether in
a delicious manner? Julien laughed heartily at this sally of his own wit. He
saw that snowy handclutching it with a convulsive movement; he saw Madame de
Renal weep.
He found Mathildechanged as though after six months of illness: she
was positivelyunrecognisable. Take them in the same carriage, he had told
him.
What folly to discuss these greatproblems!
Very well, so be it, alls well
that ends well.
You may die a natural death, he said, looking at
Julien.
Thisreflection restored all his presence of mind. Julien felt utterly
weak, he expected the most unpleasant reproaches. And, as he sawhim hesitate: I
am composing a memorial for my appeal to clemency . He imaginedhimself to be in
the headsmans hands.
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