When the young man felt that his mother was in his power, that he could treat her like a slave, he began, in his own interest, to turn her cerebral weakness and the foolish terror with which his glances inspired her to his own advantage.  His first care, as soon as he was master at home, was to dismiss the market-gardener and replace him by one of his own creatures.  Then he took upon himself the supreme direction of the household, selling, buying, and holding the cash-box.  On the other hand, he made no attempt to regulate Adelaide’s actions, or to correct Antoine and Ursule for their laziness.  That mattered little to him, for he counted upon getting rid of these people as soon as an opportunity presented itself.  He contented himself with portioning out their bread and water.  Then, having already got all the property in his own hands, he awaited an event which would permit him to dispose of it as he pleased.

Circumstances proved singularly favourable.  He escaped the conscription on the ground of being a widow’s eldest son.  But two years later Antoine was called out.  His bad luck did not affect him much; he counted on his mother purchasing a substitute for him.  Adelaide, in fact, wished to save him from serving; Pierre, however, who held the money, turned a deaf ear to her.  His brother’s compulsory departure would be a lucky event for him, and greatly assist the accomplishment of his plans.  When his mother mentioned the matter to him, he gave her such a look that she did not venture to pursue it.  His glance plainly signified, “Do you wish, then, to ruin me for the sake of your illegitimate offspring?” Forthwith she selfishly abandoned Antoine, for before everything else she sought her own peace and quietness.  Pierre, who did not like violent measures, and who rejoiced at being able to eject his brother without a disturbance, then played the part of a man in despair:  the year had been a bad one, money was scarce, and to raise any he would be compelled to sell a portion of the land, which would be the beginning of their ruin.  Then he pledged his word of honour to Antoine that he would buy him out the following year, though he meant to do nothing of the kind.  Antoine then went off, duped, and half satisfied.

Pierre got rid of Ursule in a still more unexpected manner.  A journeyman hatter of the Faubourg, named Mouret, conceived a real affection for the girl, whom he thought as white and delicate as any young lady from the Saint-Marc quarter.  He married her.  On his part it was a love match, free from all sordid motives.  As for Ursule, she accepted the marriage in order to escape a home where her eldest brother rendered life intolerable.  Her mother, absorbed in her own courses, and using her remaining energy to defend her own particular interests, regarded the matter with absolute indifference.  She was even glad of Ursule’s departure from the house, hoping that Pierre, now that he had no further cause for dissatisfaction, would let her live in peace after