“After all, my child,” said Madame Hochon on the day of her arrival, “youth must have its fling.  The dissipations of a soldier under the Empire must, of course, be greater than those of young men who are looked after by their fathers.  Oh! if you only knew what went on here at night under that wretched Max!  Thanks to your son, Issoudun now breathes and sleeps in peace.  Philippe has come to his senses rather late; he told us frankly that those three months in the Luxembourg sobered him.  Monsieur Hochon is delighted with his conduct here; every one thinks highly of it.  If he can be kept away from the temptations of Paris, he will end by being a comfort to you.”

Hearing these consolatory words Agathe’s eyes filled with tears.

Philippe played the saint to his mother, for he had need of her.  That wily politician did not wish to have recourse to Cesarine unless he continued to be an object of horror to Mademoiselle Brazier.  He saw that Flore had been thoroughly broken to harness by Max; he knew she was an essential part of his uncle’s life, and he greatly preferred to use her rather than send for the ballet-girl, who might take it into her head to marry the old man.  Fouche advised Louis XVIII. to sleep in Napoleon’s sheets instead of granting the charter; and Philippe would have liked to remain in Gilet’s sheets; but he was reluctant to risk the good reputation he had made for himself in Berry.  To take Max’s place with the Rabouilleuse would be as odious on his part as on hers.  He could, without discredit and by the laws of nepotism, live in his uncle’s house and at his uncle’s expense; but he could not have Flore unless her character were whitewashed.  Hampered by this difficulty, and stimulated by the hope of finally getting hold of the property, the idea came into his head of making his uncle marry the Rabouilleuse.  With this in view he requested his mother to go and see the girl and treat her in a sisterly manner.

“I must confess, my dear mother,” he said, in a canting tone, looking at Monsieur and Madame Hochon who accompanied her, “that my uncle’s way of life is not becoming; he could, however, make Mademoiselle Brazier respected by the community if he chose.  Wouldn’t it be far better for her to be Madame Rouget than the servant-mistress of an old bachelor?  She had better obtain a definite right to his property by a marriage contract then threaten a whole family with disinheritance.  If you, or Monsieur Hochon, or some good priest would speak of the matter to both parties, you might put a stop to the scandal which offends decent people.  Mademoiselle Brazier would be only too happy if you were to welcome her as a sister, and I as an aunt.”