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position because they never forgive themselves for it。
Now it is impossible for a woman who is perpetually at war with
herself and living in contradiction to her true life； to leave others
in peace or refrain from envying their happines。 The whole range of
these sad truths could be read in the dulled gray eyes of Mademoiselle
Gamard； the dark circles that surrounded those eyes told of the inward
conflicts of her solitary life。 All the wrinkles on her face were in
straight lines。 The structure of her forehead and cheeks was rigid and
prominent。 She allowed； with apparent indifference； certain scattered
hairs； once brown； to grow upon her chin。 Her thin lips scarcely
covered teeth that were too long； though still quite white。 Her
complexion was dark； and her hair； originally black； had turned gray
from frightful headaches；a misfortune which obliged her to wear a
false front。 Not knowing how to put it on so as to conceal the
junction between the real and the false； there were often little gaps
between the border of her cap and the black string with which this
semi…wig （always badly curled） was fastened to her head。 Her gown；
silk in summer； merino in winter； and always brown in color； was
invariably rather tight for her angular figure and thin arms。 Her
collar； limp and bent； exposed too much the red skin of a neck which
was ribbed like an oak…leaf in winter seen in the light。 Her origin
explains to some extent the defects of her conformation。 She was the
daughter of a wood…merchant； a peasant； who had risen from the ranks。
She might have been plump at eighteen； but no trace remained of the
fair complexion and pretty color of which she was wont to boast。 The
tones of her flesh had taken the pallid tints so often seen in
〃devotes。〃 Her aquiline nose was the feature that chiefly proclaimed
the despotism of her nature； and the flat shape of her forehead the
narrowness of her mind。 Her movements had an odd abruptness which
precluded all grace； the mere motion with which she twitched her
handkerchief from her bag and blew her nose with a loud noise would
have shown her character and habits to a keen observer。 Being rather
tall； she held herself very erect； and justified the remark of a
naturalist who once explained the peculiar gait of old maids by
declaring that their joints were consolidating。 When she walked her
movements were not equally distributed over her whole person； as they
are in other women； producing those graceful undulations which are so
attractive。 She moved； so to speak； in a single block； seeming to
advance at each step like the statue of the Commendatore。 When she
felt in good humour she was apt； like other old maids； to tell of the
chances she had had to marry； and of her fortunate discovery in time
of the want of means of her lovers；proving； unconsciously； that her
worldly judgment was better than her heart。
This typical figure of the genus Old Maid was well framed by the
grotesque designs； representing Turkish landscapes； on a varnished
paper which decorated the walls of the dining…room。 Mademoiselle
Gamard usually sat in this room； which boasted of two pier tables and
a barometer。 Before the chair of each abbe was a little cushion
covered with worsted work； the colors of which were faded。 The salon
in which she received company was worthy of its mistress。 It will be
visible to the eye at once when we state that it went by the name of
the 〃yellow salon。〃 The curtains were yellow； the furniture and walls
yellow； on the mantelpiece； surmounted by a mirror in a gilt frame；
the candlesticks and a clock all of crystal struck the eye with sharp
brilliancy。 As to the private apartment of Mademoiselle Gamard； no one
had ever been permitted to look into it。 Conjecture alone suggested
that it was full of odds and ends； worn…out furniture； and bits of
stuff and pieces dear to the hearts of all old maids。
Such was the woman destined to exert a vast influence on the last
years of the Abbe Birotteau。
For want of exercising in nature's own way the activity bestowed upon
women； and yet impelled to spend it in some way or other； Mademoiselle
Gamard had acquired the habit of using it in petty intrigues；
provincial cabals； and those self…seeking schemes which occupy； sooner
or later； the lives of all old maids。 Birotteau； unhappily； had
developed in Sophie Gamard the only sentiments which it was possible
for that poor creature to feel；those of hatred； a passion hitherto
latent under the calmness and monotony of provincial life； but which
was now to become the more intense because it was spent on petty
things and in the midst of a narrow sphere。 Birotteau was one of those
beings who are predestined to suffer because； being unable to see
things； they cannot avoid them； to them the worst happens。
〃Yes； it will be a fine day；〃 replied the canon； after a pause；
apparently issuing from a revery and wishing to conform to the rules
of politeness。
Birotteau； frightened at the length of time which had elapsed between
the question and the answer；for he had； for the first time in his
life； taken his coffee without uttering a word；now left the dining…
room where his heart was squeezed as if in a vise。 Feeling that the
coffee lay heavy on his stomach； he went to walk in a sad mood among
the narrow； box…edged garden paths which outlined a star in the little
garden。 As he turned after making the first round； he saw Mademoiselle
Gamard and the Abbe Troubert standing stock…still and silent on the
threshold of the door；he with his arms folded and motionless like a
statue on a tomb； she leaning against the blind door。 Both seemed to
be gazing at him and counting his steps。 Nothing is so embarrassing to
a creature naturally timid as to feel itself the object of a close
examination； and if that is made by the eyes of hatred； the sort of
suffering it causes is changed into intolerable martyrdom。
Presently Birotteau fancied he was preventing Mademoiselle Gamard and
the abbe from walking in the narrow path。 That idea； inspired equally
by fear and kindness； became so strong that he left the garden and
went to the church； thinking no longer of his canonry； so absorbed was
he by the disheartening tyranny of the old maid。 Luckily for him he
happened to find much to do at Saint…Gatien；several funerals； a
marriage； and two baptisms。 Thus employed he forgot his griefs。 When
his stomach told him that dinner was ready he drew out his watch and
saw； not without alarm； that it was some minutes after four。 Being
well aware of Mademoiselle Gamard's punctuality； he hurried back to
the house。
He saw at once on passing the kitchen door that the first course had
been removed。 When he reached the dining…room the old maid said； with
a tone of voice in which were mingled sour rebuke and joy at being
able to blame him：
〃It is half…past four； Monsieur Birotteau。 You know we are not to wait
for you。〃
The vicar looked at the clock