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the field of battle in an hour or two merely because they had

swallowed a little brandy。〃



Martin Guerre grew pale; and began a conversation with the pretty

Rose; his neighbour。  Bertrande observed this; but without

uneasiness; she had suffered too much from her former suspicions;

besides her husband showed her so much affection that she was now

quite happy。



When the first few days were over; Martin began to look into his

affairs。  His property had suffered by his long absence; and he was

obliged to go to Biscay to claim his little estate there; the law

having already laid hands upon it。  It was several months before; by

dint of making judicious sacrifices; he could regain possession of

the house and fields which had belonged to his father。  This at last

accomplished; he returned to Artigues; in order to resume the

management of his wife's property; and with this end in view; about

eleven months after his return; he paid a visit to his uncle Pierre。



Pierre was expecting him; he was extremely polite; desired Martin ;

to sit down; overwhelmed him with compliments; knitting his brows as

he discovered that his nephew decidedly meant business。  Martin broke

silence。



〃Uncle;〃 he said; 〃I come to thank you for the care you have taken of

my wife's property; she could never have managed it alone。  You have

received the income in the family interest: as a good guardian; I

expected no less from your affection。  But now that I have returned;

and am free from other cares; we will go over the accounts; if you

please。〃



His uncle coughed and cleared his voice before replying; then said

slowly; as if counting his words



〃It is all accounted for; my dear nephew; Heaven be praised!  I don't

owe you anything。〃



〃What!〃 exclaimed the astonished Martin; 〃but the whole income?〃



〃Was well and properly employed in the maintenance of your wife and

child。〃



〃What!  a thousand livres for that?  And Bertrande lived alone; so

quietly and simply!  Nonsense! it is impossible。〃



〃Any surplus;〃 resumed the old man; quite unmoved;〃 any surplus

went to pay the expenses of seed…time and harvest。〃



〃What! at a time when labour costs next to nothing?〃



〃Here is the account;〃 said Pierre。



〃Then the account is a false one;〃 returned his nephew。



Pierre thought it advisable to appear extremely offended and angry;

and Martin; exasperated at his evident dishonesty; took still higher

ground; and threatened to bring an action against him。  Pierre

ordered him to leave the house; and suiting actions to words; took

hold of his arm to enforce his departure。  Martin; furious; turned

and raised his fist to strike。



〃What! strike your uncle; wretched boy!〃 exclaimed the old man。



Martin's hand dropped; but he left the house uttering reproaches and

insults; among which Pierre distinguished



〃Cheat that you are!〃



〃That is a word I shall remember;〃 cried the angry old man; slamming

his door violently。



Martin brought an action before the judge at Rieux; and in course of

time obtained a decree; which; reviewing the accounts presented by

Pierre; disallowed them; and condemned the dishonest guardian to pay

his nephew four hundred livres for each year of his administration。

The day on which this sum had to be disbursed from his strong box the

old usurer vowed vengeance; but until he could gratify his hatred he

was forced to conceal it; and to receive attempts at reconciliation

with a friendly smile。  It was not until six months later; on the

occasion of a joyous festivity; that Martin again set foot in his

uncle's house。  The bells were ringing for the birth of a child;

there was great gaiety at Bertrande's house; where all the guests

were waiting on the threshold for the godfather in order to take the

infant to church; and when Martin appeared; escorting his uncle; who

was adorned with a huge bouquet for the occasion; and who now came

forward and took the hand of Rose; the pretty godmother; there were

cries of joy on all sides。  Bertrande was delighted at this

reconciliation; and dreamed only of happiness。  She was so happy now;

her long sorrow was atoned for; her regret was at an end; her prayers

seemed to have been heard; the long interval between the former

delights and the present seemed wiped out as if the bond of union had

never been broken; and if she remembered her grief at all; it was

only to intensify the new joys by comparison。  She loved her husband

more than ever; he was full of affection for her; and she was

grateful for his love。  The past had now no shadow; the future no

cloud; and the birth of a daughter; drawing still closer the links

which united them; seemed a new pledge of felicity。  Alas! the

horizon which appeared so bright and clear to the poor woman was

doomed soon again to be overcast。



The very evening of the christening party; a band of musicians and

jugglers happened to pass through the village; and the inhabitants

showed themselves liberal。  Pierre asked questions; and found that

the leader of the band was a Spaniard。  He invited the man to his own

house; and remained closeted with him for nearly an hour; dismissing

him at length with a refilled purse。  Two days later the old man

announced to the family that he was going to Picardy to see a former

partner on a matter of business; and he departed accordingly; saying

he should return before long。



The day on which Bertrande again saw her uncle was; indeed; a

terrible one。  She was sitting by the cradle of the lately…born

infant; watching for its awakening; when the door opened; and Pierre

Guerre strode in。  Bertrande drew back with an instinct of terror as

soon as she saw him; for his expression was at once wicked and

joyfulan expression of gratified hate; of mingled rage and triumph;

and his smile was terrible to behold。  She did not venture to speak;

but motioned him to a seat。  He came straight up to her; and raising

his head; said loudly



〃Kneel down at once; madamekneel down; and ask pardon from Almighty

God!〃



〃Are you mad; Pierre?〃 she replied; gazing at him in astonishment。



〃You; at least; ought to know that I am not。〃



〃Pray for forgivenessI! and what for; in Heaven's name?〃



〃For the crime in which you are an accomplice。〃



〃Please explain yourself。〃



〃Oh!〃 said Pierre; with bitter irony; 〃a woman always thinks herself

innocent as long as her sin is hidden; she thinks the truth will

never be known; and her conscience goes quietly to sleep; forgetting

her faults。  Here is a woman who thought her sins nicely concealed;

chance favoured her: an absent husband; probably no more; another man

so exactly like him in height; face; and manner that everyone else is

deceived!  Is it strange that a weak; sensitive woman; wearied of

widowhood; should willingly allow herself to be imposed on?〃



Bertrande listened without understanding; she tried to interrupt; but

Pierre went on



〃It was easy to accept this stranger without having to blush for it;

easy to give him the name and the rights of a husband!  She could

even appear faithful while really guilty; she could seem constant;

though really fickle; and she could; under a veil of mystery; at once

reconcile her honour; her dutyperhaps even her love。〃



〃What on earth do you mean?〃 cried Bertrande; wringing her hands in

terror。



〃That you are countenancing an impostor who is not your husband。〃



Feeling as if the ground were passing from beneath her; Bertrande

staggered; and caught at the nearest piece of furniture to save

herself from falling; then; collecting all her strength to meet this

extraordinary attack; she faced the old man。



〃What! my husband; your nephew; an impostor!〃



〃Don't you know it?〃



〃I!!〃



This cry; which came from her heart; convinced Pierre that she did

not know; and that she had sustained a terrible shock。  He continued

more quietly



〃What; Bertrande; is it possible you were really deceived?〃



〃Pierre; you are killing me; your words are torture。  No more

mystery; I entreat。  What do you know?  What do you suspect?  Tell me

plainly at once。〃



〃Have you courage to hear it?〃



〃I must;〃 said the trembling woman。



〃God is my witness that I would willingly have kept it from you; but

you must know; if only for the safety of your soul entangled in so

deadly a snare;。。。  there is yet time; if you follow my advice。

Listen: the man with whom you are living; who dares to call himself

Martin Guerre; is a cheat; an impostor〃



〃How dare you say so?〃



〃Because I have discovered it。  Yes; I had always a vague suspicion;

an uneasy feeling; and in spite of the marvellous resemblance I could

never feel as if he were really my sister's child。  The day he raised

his hand to strike meyes; that day I condemned him utterly。。。。

Chance has justified me!  A wandering Spaniard; an old soldier; who

spent 

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