CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

A Powerful Man

The next morning Julien woke up very early and saw a peasant woman. When she threw herself into his arms, Julien realized it was Mathilde. "You beast!" she said. "Until I got to Verrières, I didn't know about your crime. It was noble revenge, and it shows you have a good heart."

"I had planned your future," Julien said. "After I died, you would marry Marquis de Croisenois. He would accept a widow. If people hear that you came to Besançon, it will hurt Marquis de la Mole."

"I came using my maid's passport. People won't know it's me.

She studied Julien. In her eyes he was Boniface de la Mole, but even more heroic.

Mathilde did not want people to notice her, but the whole town did. After a week of waiting, she managed to meet Vicar-general de Frilair. She was very afraid, but when she met the vicar-general she became calm. This man was not so evil; he might be someone from Paris.

Mathilde admitted her real name. "I want you to help me free Mr de la Vernaye."

The vicar-general was surprised. Mathilde showed him Julien's army papers. "My father gave him this name after we married in secret."

The priest's face changed slowly from a friendly one to an ambitious one. He knew Mathilde was friends with Mrs de Fervaques. Perhaps he could become a bishop. "If thirty-six people were chosen for a jury, I would have at least ten friends. I'm sure I could have him found not guilty."

Then the priest told her what everyone in Besançon knew: Julien and Mrs de Rênal were lovers. "It could be that jealousy caused this crime," he said. "She had been seeing a priest from Dijon, a Jansenist. He is without morals, like all of them. Why else would he choose to shoot her in the church?"

These words hurt Mathilde. I have control of this beautiful woman now, the priest thought.

(end of section)