He affects excessive humility, in order to confuse him whom he addresses with the very height of his isolated elevation.

He exaggerates the awkwardness of his manner and the rudeness of his speech, as a means of covering his real thoughts under the appearance of mere uncouthness; yet, despite all his self-command, there is something in his air, certain fierce expressions which betray him to the close observer, who discerns in his sardonic smile, and in the marked emphasis with which he leans on his long staff, the hopes that secretly nourish his soul, and the aid upon which he ultimately relies.
One of the oldest of the peasants whom we have indicated came on vigorously, followed by ten or twelve young men, his sons and nephews, all wearing the broad-brimmed hat and the blue frock or blouse of the ancient Gauls, which the peasants of France still wear over their other garments, as peculiarly adapted to their humid climate and their laborious habits.
When the old man had reached the group of personages of whom we have just spoken, he took off his hat--an example immediately followed by his whole family--and showed a face tanned with exposure to the weather, a forehead bald and wrinkled with age, and long, white hair.

His shoulders were bent with years and labor, but he was still a hale and sturdy man.
He was received with an air of welcome, and even of respect, by one of the gravest of the grave group he had approached, who, without uncovering, however, extended to him his hand.
"What! good Father Guillaume Leroux!" said he, "and have you, too, left our farm of La Chenaie to visit the town, when it's not market-day?
Why, 'tis as if your oxen were to unharness themselves and go hunting, leaving their work to see a poor rabbit run down!" "Faith, Monsieur le Comte du Lude," replied the farmer, "for that matter, sometimes the rabbit runs across our path of itself; but, in truth, I've a notion that some of the people here want to make fools of us, and so I've come to see about it." "Enough of that, my friend," returned the Count; "here is Monsieur Fournier, the Advocate, who assuredly will not deceive you, for he resigned his office of Attorney-General last night, that he might henceforth devote his eloquence to the service of his own noble thoughts.

You will hear him, perhaps, to-day, though truly, I dread his appearing for his own sake as much as I desire it for that of the accused." "I care not for myself," said Fournier; "truth is with me a passion, and I would have it taught in all times and all places." He that spoke was a young man, whose face, pallid in the extreme, was full of the noblest expression.

His blond hair, his light-blue eyes, his thinness, the delicacy of his frame, made him at first sight seem younger than he was; but his thoughtful and earnest countenance indicated that mental superiority and that precocious maturity of soul which are developed by deep study in youth, combined with natural energy of character.