The French provinces were now organized upon a half military plan, by which all the local authorities radiated towards a centre of government.  By-the-by, this feature has survived subsequent revolutions and political changes.

In days of change, youth is at a premium; because, though experience is valuable, the experience of one order of things unfits ordinary men for another order of things.  So a good many old fogies in office were shown the door, and a good deal of youth and energy infused into the veins of provincial government.  For instance, Edouard Riviere, who had but just completed his education with singular eclat at a military school, was one fine day ordered into Brittany to fill a responsible post under Commandant Raynal, a blunt, rough soldier, that had risen from the ranks, and bore a much higher character for zeal and moral integrity than for affability.

This officer was the son of a widow that kept a grocer’s shop in Paris.  She intended him for spice, but he thirsted for glory, and vexed her.  So she yielded, as mothers will.

In the armies of the republic a good soldier rose with unparalleled certainty, and rapidity, too; for when soldiers are being mowed down like oats, it is a glorious time for such of them as keep their feet.  Raynal mounted fast, and used to write to his mother, and joke her about the army being such a bad profession; and, as he was all for glory, not money, he lived with Spartan frugality, and saved half his pay and all his prize money for the old lady in Paris.

But this prosperous man had to endure a deep disappointment; on the very day he was made commandant and one of the general’s aides-de-camp, came a letter into the camp.  His mother was dead after a short illness.  This was a terrible blow to the simple, rugged soldier, who had never had much time nor inclination to flirt with a lot of girls, and toughen his heart.  He came back to Paris honored and rich, but downcast.  The old home, empty of his mother, seemed to him not to have the old look.  It made him sadder.  To cheer him up they brought him much money.  The widow’s trade had taken a wonderful start the last few years, and she had been playing the same game as he had, living on ten-pence a day, and saving all for him.  This made him sadder, if anything.

“What,” said he, “have we both been scraping all this dross together for?  I would give it all to sit one hour by the fire, with her hand in mine, and hear her say, ’Scamp, you made me unhappy when you were young, but I have lived to be proud of you.’”

He applied for active service, no matter what:  obtained at once this post in Brittany, and threw himself into it with that honest zeal and activity, which are the best earthly medicine for all our griefs.  He was busy writing, when young Riviere first presented himself.  He looked up for a moment, and eyed him, to take his measure; then put into his hand a report by young Nicole, a subordinate filling a post of the same nature as Riviere’s; and bade him analyze that report on the spot:  with this he instantly resumed his own work.