"Andyet，MonsieurPicot，"saidMinard，"ifFelixPhellionisonlyguiltyofattributinghisdiscoverytoyou，itseemstomethathisindiscreetbehaviorhasresultedinacertaincompensationtoyou：thecrossoftheLegionofhonor，apension，andthegloryattachedtoyournamearenottobedespised。"
　　"ThecrossandthepensionItake，"saidtheoldman，emptyinghisglass，which，toBrigitte’sterror，hesetdownuponthetablewithaforcethatthreatenedtosmashit。"Thegovernmenthasowedthemtomethesetwentyyears；notforthediscoveryofstars，——thingsthatI
　　havealwaysdespised，——butformyfamous’TreatiseonDifferentialLogarithms’（Keplerthoughtpropertocallthemmonologarithms），whichisasequeltothetablesofNapier；alsoformy’Postulatum’ofEuclid，ofwhichIwasthefirsttodiscoverthesolution；butaboveall，formy’TheoryofPerpetualMotion，’——fourvolumesinquartowithplates；Paris，1825。Yousee，therefore，monsieur，thattogivemegloryisbringingwatertotheSeine。IhadsolittleneedofMonsieurFelixPhelliontomakemeapositioninthescientificworldthatI
　　turnedhimoutofmyhouselongago。"
　　"Thenitisn’tthefirststar，"saidColleville，flippantly，"thathedaredtoputuponyou？"
　　"Hedidworsethanthat，"roaredtheoldman；"heruinedmyreputation，hetarnishedmyname。My’TheoryofPerpetualMotion，’theprintingofwhichcostmeeverypennyIowned，thoughitoughttohavebeenprintedgratisattheRoyalPrinting—office，wascalculatedtomakemyfortuneandrendermeimmortal。Well，thatmiserableFelixpreventedit。Fromtimetotime，pretendingtobringmessagesfrommyeditor，hewouldsay，theyoungsycophant，’PapaPicot，yourbookissellingfinely；here’sfivehundredfrancs——twohundredfrancs——andonceitwastwothousand——whichyourpublisherchargedmetogiveyou。’Thisthingwentonforyears，andmypublisher，whohadthebasenesstoenterintotheplot，wouldsaytome，whenIwenttotheshop：’Yes，yes，itdoesn’tdobadly，itBUBBLES，thatbook；weshallsoonbeattheendofthisedition。’I，whodidn’tsuggestanything，I
　　pocketedmymoney，andthoughttomyself：’Mybookisliked，littlebylittleitsideasaremakingtheirway；Imaynowexpect，fromdaytoday，thatsomegreatcapitalistwillcometomeandproposetoapplymysystem——’"
　　"——of’AbsorptionofLiquids’？"askedColleville，whohadbeensteadilyfillingtheoldfellow’sglass。
　　"No，monsieur，my’TheoryofPerpetualMotion，’4vols。inquartowithplates。Butno！days，weekswentbyandnobodycame；so，thinkingthatmypublisherdidnotputalltheenergyheshouldintothematter，I
　　triedtosellthesecondeditiontoanotherman。Itwasthat，monsieur，thatenabledmetodiscoverthewholeplot，onwhich，asI
　　saidbefore，Iturnedthatserpentoutofmyhouse。Insixyearsonlyninecopieshadbeensold！KeptquietinfalsesecurityIhaddonenothingforthepropagationofmybook，whichhadbeenlefttotakecareofitself；andthusitwasthatI，victimofblackandwickedjealousy，wasshamefullydespoiledofthevalueofmylabors。"
　　"But，"saidMinard，makinghimselfthemouthpieceofthethoughtsofthecompany，"maywenotseeinthatactamannerasingeniousasitwasdelicateto——"
　　"Togivemealms！isthatwhatyoumean？"interruptedtheoldman，witharoarthatmadeMademoiselleMinardjumpinherchair；"tohumiliateme，dishonorme——me，hisoldprofessor！AmIinneedofcharity？HasPicot（Nepomucene），towhomhiswifebroughtadowryofonehundredthousandfrancs，everstretchedouthispalmtoanyone？
　　Butinthesedaysnothingisrespected。Oldfellows，astheycallus，ourreligionandourgoodfaithistakenadvantageofsothattheseyouthsmaysaytothepublic：’Olddrivellers，don’tyouseenowtheyaregoodfornothing？ItneedsUS，theyounggeneration，US，themoderns，US，YoungFrance，tobringthemuponabottle。’Younggreenhorn！letmeseeYOUtrytofeedME！Olddrivellersknowmoreintheirlittlefingerthanyouinyourwholebrain，andyou’llneverbeworthus，paltrylittleintriguerthatyouare！However，Iknowmydayofvengeancewillcome；thatyoungPhellioncan’thelpendingbadly；
　　whathedidto—day，readingastatementtotheAcademy，undermyname，wasforgery，forgery！andthelawwillsendhimtothegalleysforthat。"
　　"True，"saidColleville，"forgeryofapublicstar。"
　　Brigitte，whoquakedforherglasses，andwhosenerveswereexacerbatedbythemonstrousconsumptionofcakesandwine，nowgavethesignaltoreturntothesalon。Besides，shehadheardthedoor—
　　bellringseveraltimes，announcingthearrivalofguestsfortheevening。Thequestionthenwashowtotransplanttheprofessor，andCollevillepolitelyofferedhimhisarm。
　　"No，monsieur，"hesaid，"youmustallowmetostaywhereIam。Iamnotdressedforaparty，andbesides，astronglighthurtsmyeyes。
　　Moreover，Idon’tchoosetogivemyselfasaspectacle；itwillbebestthatmyinterviewwithFelixPhellionshouldtakeplacebetween’four—eyes，’astheysay。"
　　"Well，lethimalone，then，"saidBrigittetoColleville。
　　Nooneinsisted，——theoldmanhaving，unconsciously，prettynighdiscrownedhimselfintheopinionofthecompany。Butbeforeleaving，thecarefulhousewiferemovedeverythingthatwasatallfragilefromhisreach；then，bywayofaslightattention，shesaid：——
　　"ShallIsendyousomecoffee？"
　　"I’lltakeit，madame，"respondedperePicot，"andsomecognacwithit。"
　　"Oh！parbleu！hetakeseverything，"saidBrigittetothemaledomestic，andshetoldthelattertokeepaneyeontheoldmadman。
　　WhenBrigittereturnedtothesalonshefoundthattheAbbeGondrinhadbecomethecentreofagreatcircleformedbynearlythewholecompany，andassheapproached，sheheardhimsay：——
　　"IthankHeavenforbestowinguponmesuchapleasure。Ihaveneverfeltanemotionlikethatarousedbythescenewehavejustwitnessed；
　　eventheratherburlesqueformofthisconfidence，whichwascertainlyveryartless，foritwasquiteinvoluntary，onlyaddstothehonorofthesurprisinggenerosityitrevealed。PlacedasIambymyministryinthewayofknowingofmanycharities，andofteneitherthewitnessorintermediaryofgoodactions，IthinkIneverinmylifehavemetwithamoretouchingoramoreingeniousdevotion。TokeepthelefthandignorantofwhattherighthanddoesisagreatstepinChristianity；buttogosofarastorobone’sselfofone’sownfametobenefitanotherundersuchconditionsisthegospelappliedinitshighestprecepts；itisbeingmorethanaSisterofCharity；itisdoingtheworkofanapostleofbeneficence。HowIshouldliketoknowthatnobleyoungman，andshakehimbythehand。"
　　Withherarmslippedthroughthatofhergodmother，Celestewasstandingverynearthepriest，herearsintentuponhiswords，herarmpressingtighterandtighterthatofMadameThuillier，astheabbeanalyzedthegenerousactionofFelixPhellion，untilatlastshewhisperedunderherbreath：——
　　"Youhear，godmother，youhear！"
　　TodestroytheinevitableeffectwhichthisheartypraisewouldsurelyhaveonCeleste，Thuillierhastenedtosay：——
　　"Unfortunately，Monsieurl’abbe，theyoungmanofwhomyouspeaksowarmlyisnotaltogetherunknowntoyou。Ihavehadoccasiontotellyouabouthim，andtoregretthatitwasnotpossibletofollowoutcertainplanswhichweonceentertainedforhim；Ialludetotheverycompromisingindependenceheaffectsinhisreligiousopinions。"
　　"Ah！isthattheyoungman？"saidtheabbe；"yousurprisememuch；I
　　mustsaysuchanideawouldneverhavecrossedmymind。"
　　"Youwillseehimpresently，Monsieurl’abbe，"saidlaPeyrade，joiningintheconversation，"andifyouquestionhimoncertaingroundsyouwillhavenodifficultyindiscoveringtheravagesthataloveofsciencecancommitinthemostgiftedsouls。"
　　"IamafraidIshallnotseehim，"saidtheabbe，"asmyblackgownwouldbeoutofplaceinthemidstofthemoreearthlygaietythatwillsoonfillthissalon。ButIknow，MonsieurdelaPeyrade，thatyouareamanofsincerelypiousconvictions，andas，withoutanydoubt，youfeelasmuchinterestintheyoungman’swelfareasIdomyself，Ishallsaytoyouinparting：Donotbeuneasyabouthim；
　　soonerorlater，suchchoicesoulscomebacktous，andifthereturnoftheseprodigalsshouldbelongdelayedIshouldnotfear，onseeingthemgotoGod，thatHisinfinitemercywouldfailthem。"
　　Sosaying，theabbelookedabouttofindhishat，andproceededtoslipquietlyaway。
　　Suddenlyafearfuluproarwasheard。Rushingintothedining—room，whencecameasoundoffurnitureoverturnedandglassesbreaking，BrigittefoundCollevilleoccupiedinadjustinghiscravatandlookinghimselfovertobesurethathiscoat，cruellypulledawry，borenosignsofbeingactuallytorn。
　　"Whatisthematter？"criedBrigitte。
　　"Itisthatoldidiot，"repliedColleville，"whoisinafury。Icametotakemycoffeewithhim，justtokeephimcompany，andhetookajokeamiss，andcollaredme，andknockedovertwochairsandatrayofglassesbecauseJosephinedidn’tgetoutofhiswayintime。"
　　"Itisallbecauseyou’vebeenteasinghim，"saidBrigitte，crossly；
　　"whycouldn’tyoustayinthesaloninsteadofcomingheretoplayyourjokes，asyoucallthem？YouthinkyouarestillintheorchestraoftheOpera—Comique。"
　　Thissharprebukedelivered，Brigitte，liketheresolutewomanthatshewas，sawthatsheabsolutelymustgetridoftheferociousoldmanwhothreatenedherhouseholdwithflamesandblood。Accordingly，sheapproachedperePicot，whowastranquillyengagedinburningbrandyinhissaucer。
　　"Monsieur，"shesaid，atthetopofherlungs，asifshewerespeakingtoadeafperson（evidentlythinkingthatablindoneoughttobetreatedinthesamemanner），"Ihavecometotellyousomethingthatmayannoyyou。MonsieurandMadamePhellionhavejustarrived，andtheyinformmethattheirson，MonsieurFelix，isnotcoming。Hehasacoldandasore—throat。"
　　"Thenhegotitthisafternoonreadingthatlecture，"criedtheprofessor，joyfully。"That’sjustice！——Madame，wheredoyougetyourbrandy？"
　　"Why，atmygrocer’s，"repliedBrigitte，takenabackbythequestion。
　　"Well，madame，Ioughttotellyouthatinahousewhereonecandrinksuchexcellentchampagne，whichremindsmeofthatweusedtoquaffatthetableofMonsieurdeFontanes，grand—masteroftheUniversity，itisshamefultokeepsuchbrandy。Itellyou，withthefranknessIputintoeverything，thatitisgoodonlytowashyourhorses’feet，andifIhadnottheresourceofburningit——"
　　"Heisthedevilinperson，"thoughtBrigitte；"notawordofexcuseaboutallthatglass，buthemustneedsfallfoulofmybrandytoo！——
　　Monsieur，"sheresumed，inthesameraiseddiapason，"asMonsieurFelixisnotcoming，don’tyouthinkyourfamilywillbeuneasyatyourabsence？"
　　"Family？Ihaven’tany，madame，owingtothefactthattheywanttomakemeoutalunatic。ButIhaveahousekeeper，MadameLambert，andI
　　daresayshewillbesurprisednottoseemehomebythistime。I
　　thinkIhadbettergonow；ifIstaylater，thescenemightbemoreviolent。ButImustownthatinthisstrangequarterIamnotsureifIcanfindmyway。"
　　"Thentakeacarriage。"
　　"Carriagehere，carriagethere，indeed！myspitefulrelationswouldn’tlosethechanceofcallingmeaspendthrift。"
　　"Ihaveanimportantmessagetosendintoyourquarter，"saidBrigitte，seeingshemustresolvetomakethesacrifice，"andIhavejusttoldmyportertotakeacabandattendtoit。Ifyouwouldliketotakeadvantageofthatconvenience——"
　　"Iacceptit，madame，"saidtheoldprofessor，rising；"and，ifitcomestotheworst，IhopeyouwilltestifybeforethejudgethatI
　　wasniggardlyaboutacab。"
　　"Henri，"saidBrigittetotheman—servant，"takemonsieurdowntotheporterandtellhimtodotheerrandItoldhimaboutjustnow，andtotakemonsieurtohisowndoor，andbeverycarefulofhim。"
　　"Carefulofhim！"echoedtheoldman。"Doyoutakemeforatrunk，madame，orabitofcrackedchina？"
　　Seeingthatshehadgothermanfairlytothedoor，Brigitteallowedherselftoturnuponhim。
　　"WhatIsay，monsieur，isforyourgood。Youmustallowmetoobservethatyouhavenotanagreeablenature。"
　　"Carefulofhim！carefulofhim！"repeatedtheoldman。"Don’tyouknow，madame，thatbytheuseofsuchwordsyoumaygetpeopleputintolunaticasylums？However，IwillnotreplyrudelytothepolitehospitalityIhavereceived，——allthemorebecause，Ithink，IhaveputMonsieurFelix，whomissedmeintentionally，inhisrightplace。"
　　"Go，go，go，youoldbrute！"criedBrigitte，slammingthedoorbehindhim。
　　Beforereturningtothesalonshewasobligedtodrinkawholeglassfulofwater，therestraintshehadbeenforcedtoputuponherselfinordertogetridofthistroublesomeguesthaving，touseherownexpression，"putherallabout。"
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THEMANWHOTHINKSTHESTARTOOBRIGHT
　　ThenextmorningMinardpaidavisittoPhellioninhisstudy。ThegreatcitizenandhissonFelixwereatthatmomentengagedinaconversationwhichseemedtohavesomeunusualinterestforthem。
　　"MydearFelix，"criedthemayoroftheeleventharrondissement，offeringhishandwarmlytotheyoungprofessor，"itisyouwhobringmeherethismorning；Ihavecometoofferyoumycongratulations。"
　　"Whathasoccurred？"askedPhellion。"HavetheThuilliers——"
　　"IthasnothingtodowiththeThuilliers，"interruptedthemayor。
　　"But，"headded，lookinghardatFelix，"canthatslyfellowhaveconcealedthethingevenfromyou？"
　　"Idonotthink，"saidPhellion，"thatever，inhislife，hasmysonconcealedathingfromme。"
　　"ThenyouknowaboutthesublimeastronomicaldiscoverywhichhecommunicatedtotheAcademyofSciencesyesterday？"
　　"Yourkindnessforme，Monsieurlemaire，"saidFelix，hastily，"hasledyouastray；Iwasonlythereaderofthecommunication。"
　　"Oh！letmealone！"saidMinard；"reader，indeed！Iknowallaboutit。"
　　"Butsee，"saidFelix，offeringMinardthe"Constitutionnel，""here’sthepaper；notonlydoesitannouncethatMonsieurPicotisthemakerofthediscovery，butitmentionstherewardswhich，withoutlosingamoment，thegovernmenthasbestoweduponhim。"
　　"Felixisright，"saidPhellion；"thatjournalistobetrusted。OnthisoccasionIthinkthegovernmenthasactedveryproperly。"
　　"But，mydearcommander，Irepeattoyouthatthetruthoftheaffairhasgotwind，andyoursonisshowntobeamostadmirablefellow。Toputhisowndiscoverytothecreditofhisoldprofessorsoastoobtainforhimtherecognitionandfavoroftheauthorities——uponmyword，inallantiquityIdon’tknowafinertrait！"
　　"Felix！"saidPhellion，beginningtoshowsomeemotion，"theseimmenselaborstowhichyouhavedevotedsomuchtimeoflate，thesecontinualvisitstotheObservatory——"
　　"But，father，"interruptedFelix，"MonsieurMinardhasbeenmisinformed。"
　　"Misinformed！"criedMinard，"whenIknowthewholeaffairfromMonsieurPicothimself！"
　　Atthisargument，statedinawaytoleavenopossibledoubt，thetruthbegantodawnuponPhellion。
　　"Felix，myson！"hesaid，risingtoembracehim。
　　Buthewasobligedtositdownagain；hislegsrefusedtobearhisweight；heturnedpale；andthatnature，ordinarilysoimpassible，seemedabouttogivewayundertheshockofthishappiness。
　　"MyGod！"saidFelix，terrified，"heisill；ringthebell，Ientreatyou，MonsieurMinard。"
　　Andherantotheoldman，loosenedhiscravatandunfastenedthecollarofhisshirt，strikinghiminthepalmsofhishands。Butthesuddenfaintnesswasbutmomentary；almostimmediatelyhimselfagain，Phelliongatheredhissontohisheart，andholdinghimlonginhisembrace，hesaid，inavoicebrokenbythetearsthatcametoputanendtothisshockofjoy：——
　　"Felix，mynobleson！sogreatinheart，sogreatinmind！"
　　ThebellhadbeenrungbyMinardwithmagisterialforce，andwithsuchanaccentthatthewholehouseholdwasalarmed，andcamerunningin。
　　"Itisnothing，itisnothing，"saidPhelliontotheservants，sendingthemaway。Butalmostatthesamemoment，seeinghiswife，whonowenteredtheroom，heresumedhishabitualsolemnity。
　　"MadamePhellion，"hesaid，pointingtoFelix，"howmanyyearsisitsinceyoubroughtthatyoungmanintotheworld？"
　　MadamePhellion，bewilderedbythequestion，hesitatedamoment，andthensaid：——
　　"Twenty—fiveyearsnextJanuary。"
　　"Haveyounotthought，untilnow，thatGodhadamplygrantedyourmaternaldesiresbymakingthischildofyourwombanhonestman，apiousson，andbygiftinghimformathematics，thatScienceofsciences，withanaptitudesufficientlyremarkable？"
　　"Ihave，"saidMadamePhellion，understandinglessandlesswhatherhusbandwascomingto。
　　"Well，"continuedPhellion，"youowetoGodanadditionalthanksgiving，forHehasgrantedthatyoubethemotherofamanofgenius；histoil，whichlatelywerebuked，andwhichmadeusfearforthereasonofourchild，wastheway——theroughandjaggedway——bywhichmencometofame。"
　　"Ahca！"criedMadamePhellion，"can’tyoustopcomingyourselftoanexplanationofwhatyoumean，andgetthere？"
　　"Yourson，"saidMinard，cautiousthistimeinmeasuringthejoyhewasabouttobestow，fearinganotherfainting—fitofhappiness，"hasjustmadeaveryimportantscientificdiscovery。"
　　"Isittrue？"saidMadamePhellion，goinguptoFelix，andtakinghimbybothhandsasshelookedathimlovingly。
　　"WhenIsayimportant，"continuedMinard，"Iamonlysparingyourmaternalemotions；itis，intruth，asublime，adazzlingdiscovery。
　　Heisonlytwenty—fiveyearsold，buthisname，fromhenceforth，isimmortal。"
　　"Andthisistheman，"saidMadamePhellion，halfbesideherself，andkissingFelixwitheffusion，"towhomthatlaPeyradeispreferred！"
　　"No，notpreferred，madame，"saidMinard，"fortheThuilliersarenotthedupesofthatadventurer。Buthehasmadehimselfnecessarytothem。ThuillierfanciesthatwithoutlaPeyradehecouldnotbeelected；theelectionisstilldoubtful，andtheyaresacrificingeverythingtoit。"
　　"Butisn’titodious，"criedMadamePhellion，"toconsidersuchinterestsbeforethehappinessoftheirchild！"
　　"Ah！"saidMinard，"butCelesteisnottheirchild，onlytheiradopteddaughter。"
　　"Brigitte’s，ifyoulike，"saidMadamePhellion；"butasforThuillier——"
　　"Mygoodwife，"saidPhellion，"nocensoriousness。ThegoodGodhasjustsentusagreatconsolation；and，indeed，thoughcertainlyfaradvanced，thismarriage，aboutwhichIregrettosayFelixdoesnotbehavewithallthephilosophyIcoulddesire，maystillnottakeplace。"
　　SeeingthatFelixshookhisheadwithalookofincredulity，Minardhastenedtosay：——
　　"Yes，yes，thecommanderisquiteright。Lastnighttherewasahitchaboutsigningthecontract，anditwasnotsigned。Youwerenotthere，bythebye，andyourabsencewasmuchremarkedupon。"
　　"Wewereinvited，"saidPhellion，"anduptothelastmomentwehesitatedwhethertogoornot。But，asyouwillreadilysee，ourpositionwasafalseone；besides，Felix——andIseenowitmusthavebeeninconsequenceofhislectureattheAcademy——wascompletelywornoutwithfatigueandemotion。Topresentourselveswithouthimwouldhaveseemedverysingular；thereforewedecidedthatitwouldbewisestandbesttoabsentourselves。"
　　ThepresenceofthemanwhomhehadjustdeclaredimmortaldidnotdeterMinard，whentheoccasionwasthusmadeforhim，fromplungingeagerlyintooneofthemostpreciousjoysofbourgeoisexistence，namely，theretailingofgossip。
　　"Justimagine！"hebegan；"lastnightattheThuilliers’themostextraordinarythingstookplace，oneafteranother。"
　　FirstherelatedthecuriousepisodeofperePicot。ThenhetoldoftheheartyapprobationgiventoFelix’sconductbytheAbbeGondrin，andthedesiretheyoungpreacherhadexpressedtomeethim。
　　"I’llgoandseehim，"saidFelix；"doyouknowwherehelives？"
　　"RuedelaMadeleine，No。8，"repliedMinard。"Butthegreateventoftheeveningwasthespectacleofthatfinecompanyassembledtolistentothemarriage—contract，andwaitinginexpectationawholehourforthenotary，who——nevercame！"
　　"Thenthecontractisnotsigned？"saidFelix，eagerly。
　　"Notevenread，myfriend。SuddenlysomeonecameinandtoldBrigittethatthenotaryhadstartedforBrussels。"
　　"Ah！nodoubt，"saidPhellion，naively；"someveryimportantbusiness。"
　　"Mostimportant，"repliedMinard；"alittlebankruptcyoffivehundredthousandfrancswhichthegentlemanleavesbehindhim。"
　　"Butwhoisthispublicofficer，"demandedPhellion，"sorecreant，inthisscandalousmanner，tothesacreddutiesofhiscalling？"
　　"Parbleu！yourneighborintherueSaint—Jacques，thenotaryDupuis。"
　　"What！"saidMadamePhellion，"thatpiousman？Why，heischurchwardenoftheparish！"
　　"Eh！madame，thosearetheveryones，"saidMinard，"torunoff——therearemanyprecedentsforthat。"
　　"But，"saidPhellion，"suchnewscastsuddenlyamongthecompanymusthavefallenlikeathunderbolt。"
　　"Especially，"saidMinard，"asitwasbroughtinthemostunexpectedandsingularmanner。"
　　"Tellusallaboutit，"saidMadamePhellion，withanimation。
　　"Well，itseems，"continuedMinard，"thatthiscantingswindlerhadchargeofthesavingsofanumberofservants，andthatMonsieurdelaPeyrade——because，yousee，theyareallofaclique，thesepiouspeople——wasinthehabitofrecruitingclientsforhiminthatwalkoflife——"
　　"Ialwayssaidso！"interruptedMadamePhellion。"IknewthatProvencalwasnogoodatall。"
　　"Itseems，"continuedthemayor，"thathehadplacedinDupuis’shandsallthesavingsofanoldhousekeeper，piousherself，amountingtoaprettylittlesum。Faith！Ithinkmyselfitwasworthsometrouble。
　　Howmuchdoyousupposeitwas？Twenty—fivethousandfrancs，ifyouplease！Thishousekeeper，whosenameisMadameLambert——"
　　"MadameLambert！"criedFelix；"why，that’sMonsieurPicot’shousekeeper；closecap，pale，thinface，speaksalwayswithhereyeslowered，showsnohair？"
　　"That’sshe，"saidMinard，——"aregularhypocrite！"
　　"Twenty—fivethousandfrancsofsavings！"saidFelix。"Idon’twonderthatpoorperePicotisalwaysoutofmoney。"
　　"Andthatsomeonehadtomeddlewiththesaleofhisbook，"saidMinard，slyly。"Howeverthatmaybe，youcanimaginethatthewomanwasinafinestateofmindonhearingoftheflightofthenotary。
　　OffshewenttolaPeyrade’slodgings；thereshewastoldhewasdiningattheThuilliers’；totheThuilliers’shecame，afterrunningaboutthestreets——fortheydidn’tgiveherquitetherightaddress——
　　tillteno’clock；butshegottherewhilethecompanywerestillsittingroundwaitingforthenotary，andgapingateachother，nooneknowingwhattosayanddo，forneitherBrigittenorThuillierhavefacultyenoughtogetoutofsuchascrapewithcredit；andweallmissedthevoiceofMadamedeGodolloandthetalentofMadamePhellion。"
　　"Oh！youaretoopolite，Monsieurlemaire，"saidMadamePhellion，bridling。
　　"Well，asIsaid，"continuedMinard，"atteno’clockMadameLambertreachedtheantechamberofMonsieurthegeneral—councillor，andtheresheasked，ingreatexcitement，toseelaPeyrade。"
　　"Thatwasnatural，"saidPhellion；"hebeingtheintermediaryoftheinvestment，thiswomanhadarighttoquestionhim。"