The serious situation in which Rogron found himself made him ask for the assistance of a lawyer (and he named Vinet) at the Family Council.  By this manoeuvre, evidently advised by Vinet himself, Rogron succeeded in postponing the meeting of the council till the end of December.  At that time Monsieur Tiphaine and his wife would be settled in Paris for the opening of the Chambers; and the ministerial party would be left without its head.  Vinet had already worked upon Desfondrilles, the deputy-judge, in case the matter should go, after the hearing before the council, to the criminal courts.

Vinet spoke for three hours before the Family Council; he proved the existence of an intrigue between Pierrette and Brigaut, which justified all Mademoiselle Rogron’s severity.  He showed how natural it was that the guardian should have left the management of his ward to a woman; he dwelt on the fact that Rogron had not interfered with Pierrette’s education as planned by his sister Sylvie.  But in spite of Vinet’s efforts the Council were unanimous in removing Rogron from the guardianship.  Monsieur Auffray was appointed in his place, and Monsieur Ciprey was made surrogate.  The Council summoned before it and examined Adele, the servant-woman, who testified against her late masters; also Mademoiselle Habert, who related the cruel remarks made by Mademoiselle Rogron on the evening when Pierrette had given herself a frightful blow, heard by all the company, and the speech of Madame de Chargeboeuf about the girl’s health.  Brigaut produced the letter he had received from Pierrette, which proved their innocence and stated her ill-treatment.  Proof was given that the condition of the minor was the result of neglect on the part of the guardian, who was responsible for all that concerned his ward.  Pierrette’s illness had been apparent to every one, even to persons in the town who were strangers to the family, yet the guardian had done nothing for her.  The charge of ill-treatment was therefore sustained against Rogron; and the case would now go before the public.

Rogron, advised by Vinet, opposed the acceptance of the report of the Council by the court.  The authorities then intervened in consequence of Pierrette’s state, which was daily growing worse.  The trial of the case, though placed at once upon the docket, was postponed until the month of March, 1828, to wait events.

X

VERDICTS—­LEGAL AND OTHER

Meantime Rogron’s marriage with Mademoiselle de Chargeboeuf took place.  Sylvie moved to the second floor of the house, which she shared with Madame de Chargeboeuf, for the first floor was entirely taken up by the new wife.  The beautiful Madame Rogron succeeded to the social place of the beautiful Madame Tiphaine.  The influence of the marriage was immense.  No one now came to visit Sylvie, but Madame Rogron’s salon was always full.