A Large Heart and a Small FortuneBut passion most dissembles, yet betrays, Even by its darkness; asthe blackest sky Foretells the heaviest tempest.

　　Don Juan, I. 73M. de Renal, who was visiting every room in the house, reappeared inthe children's room with the servants who brought back the palliasses refilled. The sudden entry of this man was the last straw to Julien.

　　Paler, more sombre than usual, he advanced towards him. M. de Renalstood still and looked at his servants.

　　'Sir,' Julien began, 'do you suppose that with any other tutor your children would have made the same progress that they have made with me?

　　If your answer is no,' he went on without giving M. de Renal time tospeak, 'how dare you presume to reproach me with neglecting them?'

　　M. de Renal, who had barely recovered from his alarm, concludedfrom the strange tone which he saw this young peasant adopt that hehad in his pocket some more attractive offer and was going to leave him.

　　Julien's anger increasing as he spoke:

　　'I can live without you, Sir,' he concluded.

　　'I am extremely sorry to see you so agitated,' replied M. de Renal,stammering a little. The servants were a few feet away, and were occupied in making the beds.

　　'That is not enough for me, Sir,' Julien went on, beside himself withrage; 'think of the abominable things you said to me, and in the presenceof ladies, too!'

　　M. de Renal was only too well aware of what Julien was asking, andconflicting passions did battle in his heart. It so happened that Julien,now really mad with rage, exclaimed: 'I know where to go, Sir, when Ileave your house.'

　　 On hearing these words, M. de Renal had a vision of Julien establishedin M. Valenod's household.

　　'Very well, Sir,' he said at length with a sigh, and the air of a man calling in a surgeon to perform the most painful operation, 'I agree to yourrequest. From the day after tomorrow, which is the first of the month, Ishall give you fifty francs monthly.'

　　Julien wanted to laugh and remained speechless: his anger had completely vanished.

　　'I did not despise the animal enough,' he said to himself. 'This, nodoubt, is the most ample apology so base a nature is capable of making.'

　　The children, who had listened to this scene open-mouthed, ran to thegarden to tell their mother that M. Julien was in a great rage, but that hewas to have fifty francs a month.

　　Julien went after them from force of habit, without so much as a glanceat M. de Renal, whom he left in a state of intense annoyance.

　　'That's a hundred and sixty-eight francs,' the Mayor said to himself,'that M. Valenod has cost me. I must really say a few firm words to himabout his contract to supply the foundlings.'

　　A moment later, Julien again stood before him.

　　'I have a matter of conscience to discuss with M. Chelan. I have thehonour to inform you that I shall be absent for some hours.'

　　'Ah, my dear Julien,' said M. de Renal, laughing in the most insinceremanner, 'the whole day, if you wish, the whole of tomorrow, my worthyfriend. Take the gardener's horse to go to Verrieres.'

　　'There,' M. de Renal said to himself, 'he's............