Afterinspectingthesickman，shewent，atfullspeed，toconsultCerizet，tellinghim，inthefirstplace，howshehadfoundherdaughter，andthenthereasonsandindicationswhichmadeherthinkthatheruncleToupillierwashoardingapileofgoldinhismattress。
MereCardinaldidnotfeelherselfstrongenoughtoseizeupontheproperty，legallyorillegally，andshethereforecametoconfideinCerizetandgethisadvice。
So，then，thebankerofthepoor，likeotherscavengers，had，atlast，founddiamondsintheslimeinwhichhehadpaddledforthelastfouryears，beingalwaysonthewatchforsomesuchchance，——achance，theysay，occasionallymetwithinthepurlieus，whichgivebirthtoheiressesinsabots。ThiswasthesecretofhisunexpectedgentlenesstolaPeyrade，themanwhoseruinhehadvowed。ItiseasytoimaginetheanxietywithwhichheawaitedthereturnofMadameCardinal，towhomthiswilyschemerofnefariousplotshadgivenmeanstoverifyhersuspicionsastotheexistenceofthehoardedtreasure，promisinghercompletesuccessifshewouldtrusthimtoobtainforhersorichaharvest。Hewasnotthemantoshrinkfromacrime，aboveall，whenhesawthatotherscouldcommitit，whileheobtainedthebenefits。
\"Well，monsieur，\"criedthefishwife，enteringCerizet’sdenwithafaceasmuchinflamedbycupidityasbythehasteofhermovements，\"myunclesleepsonmorethanahundredthousandfrancsingold，andI
amcertainthatthosePerraches，bydintofnursinghim，havesmelttherat。\"
\"Sharedamongfortyheirsthatwon’tbemuchtoeach，\"saidCerizet。
\"Listentome，MereCardinal：I’llmarryyourdaughter；giveheryouruncle’sgold，andI’llguaranteetoyoualife—interestinthehouseandthedividendsfromthemoneyintheFunds。\"
\"Wesha’n’trunanyrisk？\"
\"None，whatever。\"
\"Agreed，then，\"saidthewidowCardinal，holdingoutherhandtoherfutureson—in—law。\"Sixthousandfrancsayear；hey！whatafinelifeI’llhave。\"
\"Withason—in—lawlikeme！\"addedCerizet。
\"IshallbeabourgeoisieofParis！\"
\"Now，\"resumedCerizet，afterapause，\"Imuststudytheground。Don’tleaveyourunclealoneaminute；tellthePerrachesthatyouexpectadoctor。I’llbethedoctor，andwhenIgetthereyoumustseemnottoknowme。\"
\"Aren’tyously，youoldrogue，\"saidMadameCardinal，withapunchonCerizet’sstomachbywayoffarewell。
Anhourlater，Cerizet，dressedinblack，disguisedbyarustywigandanartificiallypaintedphysiognomy，arrivedatthehouseintherueHonore—Chevalierintheregulationcabriolet。HeaskedtheportertotellhimhowtofindthelodgingofanoldbeggarnamedToupillier。
\"IsmonsieurthedoctorwhomMadameCardinalexpects？\"askedPerrache。
Cerizethadnodoubtreflectedonthegravityoftheaffairhewasundertaking，forheavoidedgivingananswertothatquestion。
\"Isthistheway？\"hesaid，turningatrandomtoonesideofthecourtyard。
\"No，monsieur，\"repliedPerrache，whothentookhimtothebackstairsofthehouse，whichleduptothewretchedatticoccupiedbythepauper。
Nothingremainedfortheinquisitiveportertodobuttoquestionthedriverofthecabriolet；towhichemploymentwewillleavehim，whilewepursueourowninquirieselsewhere。
CHAPTERXV
THEDIFFICULTIESTHATCROPUPINTHEEASIESTOFTHEFTS
ThehouseinwhichToupillierlivedisoneofthosewhichhavelosthalftheirdepth，owingtothestraighteningofthelineofthestreet，therueHonore—ChevalierbeingoneofthenarrowestintheSaint—Sulpicequarter。Theowner，forbiddenbythelawtorepairit，ortoaddnewstoreys，wascompelledtoletthewretchedbuildingintheconditioninwhichheboughtit。Itconsistedofafirststoreyabovetheground—floor，surmountedbygarrets，withtwosmallwingsrunningbackoneitherside。Thecourtyardthusformedendedinagardenplantedwithtrees，whichwasalwaysrentedtotheoccupantofthefirstfloor。Thisgarden，separatedbyanironrailingfromthecourtyard，wouldhaveallowedarichownertosellthefrontbuildingstothecity，andtobuildanewhouseuponthecourtyard；butthewholeofthefirstfloorwasletonaneighteenyears’leasetoamysteriouspersonage，aboutwhomneithertheofficialpolicingoftheconciergenorthecuriosityoftheothertenantscouldfindanythingtocensure。
Thistenant，nowseventyyearsofage，hadbuilt，in1829，anouterstairway，leadingfromtherightwingofthefirstfloortothegarden，sothathecouldgettherewithoutgoingthroughthecourtyard。Halftheground—floorwasoccupiedbyabook—stitcher，whoforthelasttenyearshadusedthestableandcoach—houseforworkshops。Abook—binderoccupiedtheotherhalf。Thebinderandthestitcherlived，eachofthem，inhalfthegarretroomsoverthefrontbuildingonthestreet。Thegarretsabovetherearwingswereoccupied，theoneontherightbythemysterioustenant，theoneontheleftbyToupillier，whopaidahundredfrancsayearforit，andreacheditbyadarkstaircase，lightedbysmallroundwindows。Theporte—cocherewasmadeinthecircularformindispensableinastreetsonarrowthattwocarriagescannotpassinit。
Cerizetlaidholdoftheropewhichservedasabaluster，toclimbthespeciesofladderleadingtotheroomwheretheso—calledbeggarwasdying，——aroominwhichtheodiousspectacleofpretendedpauperismwasbeingplayed。InParis，everythingthatisdoneforapurposeisthoroughlydone。Would—bepaupersareascleveratmountingtheirdisguiseasshopkeepersinpreparingtheirshow—windows，orshamrichmeninobtainingcredit。
Thefloorhadneverbeenswept；thebrickshaddisappearedbeneathlayersofdirt，dust，driedmud，andanyandeverythingthrowndownbyToupillier。Amiserablestoveofcast—iron，thepipeofwhichenteredacrumblingchimney，wasthemostapparentpieceoffurnitureinthishovel。Inanalcovestoodabed，withtesterandvalenceofgreenserge，whichthemothshadtransformedintolace。Thewindow，almostuseless，hadaheavycoatingofgreaseuponitspanes，whichdispensedwiththenecessityofcurtains。Thewhitewashedwallspresentedtotheeyefuliginoustones，duetothewoodandpeatburnedbythepauperinhisstove。Onthefireplacewereabrokenwater—
pitcher，twobottles，andacrackedplate。Aworm—eatenchestofdrawerscontainedhislinenanddecentclothes。Therestofthefurnitureconsistedofanight—tableofthecommonestdescription，anothertable，worthaboutfortysous，andtwokitchenchairswiththestrawseatsalmostgone。Theextremelypicturesquecostumeofthecentenarianpauperwashangingfromanail，andbelowit，onthefloor，weretheshapelessmat—weedcoveringsthatservedhimforshoes，thewholeforming，withhisamorphousoldhatandknottystick，asortofpanoplyofmisery。
Asheentered，Cerizetgavearapidglanceattheoldman，whoseheadlayonapillowbrownwithgreaseandwithoutapillow—case；hisangularprofile，likethosewhichengraversofthelastcenturywerefondofmakingoutofrocksinthelandscapestheyengraved，wasstronglydefinedinblackagainstthegreensergehangingsofthetester。Toupillier，amannearlysixfeettall，waslookingfixedlyatsomeobjectatthefootofhisbed；hedidnotmoveonhearingthegroaningoftheheavydoor，which，beingarmedwithironboltsandastronglock，closedhisdomicilesecurely。
\"Isheconscious？\"saidCerizet，beforewhomMadameCardinalstartedback，nothavingrecognizedhimtillhespoke。
\"Prettynearly，\"shereplied。
\"Comeoutonthestaircase，sothathedoesn’thearus，\"whisperedCerizet。\"Thisishowwe’llmanageit，\"hecontinued，intheearofhisfuturemother—in—law。\"Heisweak，butheisn’tsoverylow；wehavefullyaweekbeforeus。I’llsendyouadoctorwho’llsuitus，——
youunderstand？andlaterintheeveningI’llbringyousixpoppy—
heads。Inthestatehe’sin，yousee，adecoctionofpoppy—headswillsendhimintoasoundsleep。I’llsendyouacot—bedonpretenceofyoursleepingintheroomwithhim。We’llmovehimfromonebedtotheother，andwhenwe’vefoundthemoneytherewon’tbeanydifficultyincarryingitoff。Butweoughttoknowwhothepeoplearewholiveinthisoldbarrack。IfPerrachesuspects，asyouthink，aboutthemoney，hemightgiveanalarm，andsomanytenants，somanyspies，youknow——\"
\"Oh！asforthat，\"saidMadameCardinal，\"I’vefoundoutalreadythatMonsieurduPortail，theoldmanwhooccupiesthefirstfloor，haschargeofaninsanewoman；IheardtheirDutchservant—woman，Katte，callingherLydiethismorning。TheonlyotherservantisanoldvaletnamedBruneau；hedoeseverything，exceptcook。\"
\"Butthebinderandthestitcherdownbelow，\"returnedCerizet，\"theybeginworkveryearlyinthemorning——Well，anyhow，wemuststudythematter，\"headded，inthetoneofamanwhoseplansarenotyetdecided。\"I’llgotothemayor’sofficeofyourarrondissement，andgetOlympe’sregisterofbirth，andputupthebanns。ThemarriagemusttakeplaceaweekfromSaturday。\"
\"Howhegoesit，therascal！\"criedtheadmiringMadameCardinal，pushingherformidableson—in—lawbytheshoulder。
AshewentdownstairsCerizetwassurprisedtosee，throughoneofthesmallroundwindows，anoldman，evidentlyduPortail，walkinginthegardenwithaveryimportantmemberofthegovernment，ComteMartialdelaRoche—Hugon。Hestoppedinthecourtyardwhenhereachedit，asiftoexaminetheoldhouse，builtinthereignofLouisXIV。，theyellowwallsofwhich，thoughoffreestone，werebentliketheelderlybeggartheycontained。Thenhelookedattheworkshops，andcountedtheworkmen。Thehousewasotherwiseassilentasacloister。Beingobservedhimself，Cerizetdeparted，thinkingoverinhismindthevariousdifficultiesthatmightariseinextractingthesumhiddenbeneaththedyingman。
\"Carryoffallthatgoldatnight？\"hesaidtohimself；\"why，thoseporterswillbeonthewatch，andtwentypersonsmightseeus！Itishardworktocarryeventwenty—fivethousandfrancsofgoldonone’sperson。\"
Societieshavetwogoalsofperfection；thefirstisastateofcivilizationinwhichmoralityequallyinfusedandpervasivedoesnotadmiteventheideaofcrime；theJesuitsreachedthatpoint，formerlypresentedbytheprimitiveChurch。Thesecondisthestateofanothercivilizationinwhichthesupervisionofcitizensoveroneanothermakescrimeimpossible。Theendwhichmodernsocietyhasplacedbeforeitselfisthelatter；namely，thatinwhichacrimepresentssuchdifficultiesthatamanmustabandonallreasoninginordertocommitit。Infact，iniquitieswhichthelawcannotreacharenotleftactuallyunpunished，forsocialjudgmentisevenmoreseverethanthatofcourts。IfamanlikeMinoret，thepost—masteratNemours[see\"UrsuleMirouet\"]suppressesawillandnoonewitnessestheact，thecrimeistracedhometohimbythewatchfulnessofvirtueassurelyasarobberyisfollowedupbythedetectivepolice。Nowrong—doingpassesactuallyunperceived；andwhereveralesioninrectitudetakesplacethescarremains。Thingscanbenomoremadetodisappearthanmen；socarefully，inParisespecially，arearticlesandobjectsticketedandnumbered，houseswatched，streetsobserved，placesspiedupon。Toliveatease，crimemusthaveasanctionlikethatoftheBourse；likethatconcededbyCerizet’sclients；whonevercomplainedofhisusury，and，indeed，wouldhavebeentroubledinmindiftheirflayerwerenotinhisdenofaTuesday。
\"Well，mydearmonsieur，\"saidMadamePerrache，theporter’swife，ashepassedherlodge，\"howdoyoufindhim，thatfriendofGod，thatpoorman？\"
\"Iamnotthedoctor，\"repliedCerizet，whonowdecidedlydeclinedthatrole。\"IamMadameCardinal’sbusinessman。Ihavejustadvisedhertohaveacot—bedputup，soastonurseherunclenightandday；
though，perhaps，shewillhavetogetaregularnurse。\"
\"Icanhelpher，\"saidMadamePerrache。\"Inursewomeninchildbed。\"
\"Well，we’llseeaboutit，\"saidCerizet；\"I’llarrangeallthat。Whoisthetenantonyourfirstfloor？\"
\"MonsieurduPortail。Hehaslodgedherethesethirtyyears。Heisamanwithagoodincome，monsieur；highlyrespectable，andelderly。YouknowpeoplewhoinvestintheFundsliveontheirincomes。Heusedtobeinbusiness。Butitismorethanelevenyearsnowsincehehasbeentryingtorestorethereasonofadaughterofoneofhisfriends，MademoiselleLydiedelaPeyrade。Shehasthebestadvice，Icantellyou；theveryfirstdoctorsinParis；onlythismorningtheyhadaconsultation。Butsofarnothinghascuredher；andtheyhavetowatchherprettyclose；forsometimesshegetsupandwalksatnight——\"
\"MademoiselleLydiedelaPeyrade！\"exclaimedCerizet；\"areyousureofthename？\"
\"I’veheardMadameKatte，hernurse，whoalsodoesthecooking，callhersoathousandtimes，monsieur；though，generally，neitherMonsieurBruneau，thevalet，norMadameKattesaymuch。It’sliketalkingtothewalltotryandgetanyinformationoutofthem。Wehavebeenportersherethesetwentyyearsandwe’veneverfoundoutanythingaboutMonsieurduPortailyet。Morethanthat，monsieur，heownsthelittlehousealongside；youseethedoubledoorfromhere。Well，hecangooutthatwayandreceivehiscompanytoo，andweknownothingaboutit。Ourownerdoesn’tknowanythingmorethanwedo；whenpeopleringatthatdoor，MonsieurBruneaugoesandopensit。\"
\"Thenyoudidn’tseethegentlemanwhoistalkingwithhiminthegardengobythisway？\"
\"Blessme！no，thatIdidn’t！\"
\"Ah！\"thoughtCerizetashegotintothecabriolet，\"shemustbethedaughterofthatuncleofTheodose。IwonderifduPortailcanbethesecretbenefactorwhosentmoneyfromtimetotimetothatrascal？
SupposeIsendananonymouslettertotheoldfellow，warninghimofthedangerthebarristerrunsfromthosenotesfortwenty—fivethousandfrancs？\"
Anhourlaterthecot—bedhadarrivedforMadameCardinal，towhomtheinquisitiveportressofferedherservicestobringhersomethingtoeat。
\"Doyouwanttoseetherector？\"MadameCardinalinquiredofheruncle。
Shehadnoticedthatthearrivalofthebedseemedtodrawhimfromhissomnolence。
\"Iwantwine！\"repliedthepauper。
\"Howdoyoufeelnow，PereToupillier？\"askedMadamePerrache，inacoaxingvoice。
\"ItellyouIwantwine，\"repeatedtheoldman，withanenergeticinsistencescarcelytobeexpectedofhisfeebleness。
\"Wemustfirstfindoutifitisgoodforyou，uncle，\"saidMadameCardinal，soothingly。\"Waittillthedoctorcomes。\"
\"Doctor！Iwon’thaveadoctor！\"criedToupillier；\"andyou，whatareyoudoinghere？Idon’twantanybody。\"
\"Mygooduncle，Icametoknowifyou’dlikesomethingtasty。I’vegotsomenicefreshsoles——hey！abitoffriedsole，withasqueezeoflemononit？\"
\"Yourfish，indeed！\"criedToupillier；\"allrotten！Thatlastyoubroughtme，morethansixweeksago，itisthereinthecupboard；youcantakeitawaywithyou。\"
\"Heavens！howungratefulsickmenare！\"whisperedthewidowCardinaltoPerrache。
Nevertheless，toexhibitsolicitude，shearrangedthepillowunderthepatient’shead，saying：——
\"There！uncle，don’tyoufeelbetterlikethat？\"
\"Letmealone！\"shoutedToupillier，angrily；\"Iwantnoonehere；I
wantwine；leavemeinpeace。\"
\"Don’tgetangry，littleuncle；we’llfetchyousomewine。\"
\"Numbersixwine，ruedesCanettes，\"criedthepauper。
\"Yes，Iknow，\"repliedMadameCardinal；\"butletmecountoutmycoppers。Iwanttogetsomethingbetterforyouthanthatkindofwine；for，don’tyousee，anuncle，he’sakindoffather，andoneshouldn’tmindwhatonedoesforhim。\"
Sosaying，shesatdown，withherlegsapart，ononeofthedilapidatedchairs，andpouredintoherapronthecontentsofherpockets，namely：aknife，hersnuff—box，twopawn—tickets，somecrustsofbread，andahandfulofcopper，fromwhichsheextractedafewsilverbits。
Thisexhibition，intendedtoprovehergenerousandeagerdevotion，hadnoresult。Toupillierseemednottonoticeit。Exhaustedbythefeverishenergywithwhichhehaddemandedhisfavoriteremedy，hemadeanefforttochangehisposition，and，withhisbackturnedtohistwonurses，heagainmuttered：\"Wine！wine！\"afterwhichnothingmorewasheardofhimbutastentorousbreathing，thatplainlyshowedthestateofhislungs，whichwerebeginningtocongest。
\"IsupposeImustgoandfetchhiswine！\"saidtheCardinal，restoringtoherpockets，withsomeill—humor，thecargoshehadjustpulledoutofthem。
\"Ifyoudon’twanttogo——\"beganMadamePerrache，alwaysreadytoofferherservices。
Thefishwifehesitatedforamoment；then，reflectingthatsomethingmightbegotoutofaconversationwiththewine—merchant，andsure，moreover，thataslongasToupillierlayonhisgoldshecouldsafelyleavehimalonewiththeportress，shesaid：——
\"Thankyou，MadamePerrache，butI’dbettermakeacquaintancewithhistrades—folk。\"
Then，havingspiedbehindthenight—tableadirtybottlewhichmightholdabouttwoquarts，——
\"DidhesaytheruedesCanelles？\"sheinquiredoftheportress。
\"CorneroftherueGuisarde，\"repliedMadamePerrache。\"MonsieurLegrelu，atall，finemanwithbigwhiskersandnohair。\"Then，loweringhervoice，sheadded：\"Hisnumber—sixwine，youknow，isRoussillon，andthebest，too。However，thewine—merchantknows；itisenoughifyoutellhimyouhavecomefromhiscustomer，thepauperofSaint—Sulpice。\"
\"Noneedtotellmeanythingtwice，\"saidtheCardinal，openingthedoorandmaking，astheysay，afalseexit。\"Ahca！\"shesaid，comingback；\"whatdoesheburninhisstove，supposingIwanttoheatsomeremedyforhim？\"
\"Goodness！\"saidtheportress，\"hedoesn’tmakemuchprovisionforwinter，andhereweareinthemiddleofsummer！\"
\"Andnotasaucepan！notapot，even！Gracious！whatawaytolive。
I’llhavetofetchhimsomeprovisions；IhopenobodywillseethethingsIbringback；I’dbeashamedtheyshould——\"
\"I’lllendyouahand—bag，\"saidtheportress，alwaysreadyandofficious。
\"No，I’llbuyabasket，\"repliedthefishwife，moreanxiousaboutwhatsheexpectedtocarryawaythanwhatshewasabouttobringhometothepauper。\"TheremustbesomeAuvergnatintheneighborhoodwhosellswood，\"sheadded。
\"CorneroftherueFerou；you’llfindonethere。Afineestablishment，withlogsofwoodpaintedinakindofanarcadeallroundtheshop——
solike，you’dthinktheyweregoingtospeaktoyou。\"
Beforegoingfinallyoff，MadameCardinalwentthroughapieceofverydeephypocrisy。Wehaveseenhowshehesitatedaboutleavingtheportressalonewiththesickman：——
\"MadamePerrache，\"shesaidtoher，\"youwon’tleavehim，thepoordarling，willyou，tillIgetback？\"
ItmayhavebeennoticedthatCerizethadnotdecidedonanydefinitecourseofactioninthenewaffairhewasnowundertaking。Thepartofdoctor，whichforamomenthethoughtofassuming，frightenedhim，andhegavehimselfout，aswehaveseen，toMadamePerracheasthebusinessagentofhisaccomplice。Oncealone，hebegantoseethathisoriginalideacomplicatedwithadoctor，anurse，andanotary，presentedthemostseriousdifficulties。AregularwilldrawninfavorofMadameCardinalwasnotathingtobeimprovisedinamoment。Itwouldtakesometimetoacclimatizetheideainthesurlyandsuspiciousmindoftheoldpauper，anddeath，whichwascloseathand，mightplaythematrickatanymoment，andbalkthemostcarefulpreparations。
ItwastruethatunlessawillweremadetheincomeofeightthousandfrancsontheGrandLivreandthehouseintherueNotre—DamedeNazarethwouldgototheheirs—at—law，andMadameCardinalwouldgetonlyhershareoftheproperty；buttheabandonmentofthisvisibleportionoftheinheritancewasthesurestmeansoflayinghandsontheinvisiblepartofit。Besides，ifthelatterweresecured，whathinderedtheirreturningtotheideaofawill？
Resolving，therefore，toconfinetheOPERATIONtothesimplesttermsatfirst，Cerizetsummedthemupinthemanoeuvreofthepoppy—heads，alreadymentioned，andhewasmakinghiswaybacktoToupillier’sabode，armedwiththatsingleweaponofwar，intendingtogiveMadameCardinalfurtherinstructions，whenhemether，bearingonherarmthebasketshehadjustbought；andinthatbasketwasthesickman’spanacea。
\"Uponmyword！\"criedtheusurer，\"isthisthewayyoukeepyourwatch？\"
\"Ihadtogooutandbuyhimwine，\"repliedtheCardinal；\"heishowlinglikeasoulinhellthathewantstobeatpeace，andtobeletalone，andgethiswine！ItishisoneideathatRoussillonisgoodforhisdisease。Well，whenhehasdrunkit，Idaresayhewillbequieter。\"
\"Youareright，\"saidCerizet，sententiously；\"nevercontradictasickman。Butthiswine，youknow，oughttobeimproved；byinfusingthese\"
（andliftingoneofthecoversofthebasketheslippedinthepoppies）\"you’llprocurethepoormanagood，longsleep，——fiveorsixhoursatleast。ThiseveningI’llcomeandseeyou，andnothing，I
think，needpreventusfromexaminingalittlecloserthosemattersofinheritance。\"
\"Isee，\"saidMadameCardinal，winking。
\"To—night，then，\"saidCerizet，notwishingtoprolongtheconversation。
Hehadastrongsenseofthedifficultyanddangeroftheaffair，andwasveryreluctanttobeseeninthestreetconversingwithhisaccomplice。
Returningtoheruncle’sgarret，MadameCardinalfoundhimstillinastateofsemi—torpor；sherelievedMadamePerrache，andbadehergood—
bye，goingtothedoortoreceiveasupplyofwood，allsawed，whichshehadorderedfromtheAuvergnatintherueFerou。
Intoanearthenpot，whichshehadboughtoftherightsizetofitupontheholeinthestovesofthepoorwheretheyputtheirsoup—
kettles，shenowthrewthepoppies，pouringoverthemtwo—thirdsofthewineshehadbroughtbackwithher。Thenshelightedafirebeneaththepot，intendingtoobtainthedecoctionagreeduponasquicklyaspossible。Thecracklingofthewoodandtheheat，whichsoonspreadabouttheroom，broughtToupillieroutofhisstupor。
Seeingthestovelightedhecalledout：——
\"Whoismakingafirehere？Doyouwanttoburnthehousedown？\"
\"Why，uncle，\"saidtheCardinal，\"itiswoodIboughtwithmyownmoney，towarmyourwine。Thedoctordoesn’twantyoutodrinkitcold。\"
\"Whereisit，thatwine？\"demandedToupillier，calmingdownalittleatthethoughtthatthefirewasnotburningathisexpense。
\"Itmustcometoaboil，\"saidhisnurse；\"thedoctorinsisteduponthat。Still，ifyou’llbegoodI’llgiveyouhalfaglassofitcold，justtowetyourwhistle。I’lltakethatuponmyself，butdon’tyoutellthedoctor。\"
\"Doctor！Iwon’thaveadoctor；theyareallscoundrels，inventedtokillpeople，\"criedToupillier，whomtheideaofdrinkhadrevived。
\"Come，givemethewine！\"hesaid，inthetoneofamanwhosepatiencehadcometoanend。
Convincedthatthoughthiscompliancewoulddonoharmitcoulddonogood，MadameCardinalpouredouthalfaglass，andwhileshegaveitwithonehandtothesickman，withtheothersheraisedhimtoasittingposturethathemightdrinkit。
Withhisfleshless，eagerfingersToupillierclutchedtheglass，emptieditatagulp，andexclaimed：——
\"Ah！that’safinedrop，thatis！thoughyou’vewateredit。\"
\"Youmustn’tsaythat，uncle；IwentandboughtitmyselfofPereLegrelu，andI’vegivenityouquitepure。Butyouletmesimmertherest；thedoctorsaidImightthengiveyouallyouwanted。\"
Toupillierresignedhimselfwithashrugoftheshoulders。Attheendoffifteenminutes，theinfusionbeinginconditiontoserve，MadameCardinalbroughthim，withoutfurtherappeal，afullcupofit。
Theaviditywithwhichtheoldpauperdrankitdownpreventedhimfromnoticingatfirstthatthewinewasdrugged；butasheswallowedthelastdropshetastedthesicklyandnauseatingflavor，andflingingthecuponthebedhecriedoutthatsomeonewastryingtopoisonhim。
\"Poison！nonsense！\"saidthefishwife，pouringintoherownmouthafewdropsofthatwhichremainedinthebottle，declaringtotheoldmanthatifthewinedidnotseemtohimthesameasusual，itwasbecausehismouthhada\"badtastetoit。\"
Beforetheendofthedispute，whichlastedsometime，thenarcoticbegantotakeeffect，andattheendofanhourthesickmanwassoundasleep。
WhileidlywaitingforCerizet，anideatookpossessionoftheCardinal’smind。Shethoughtthatinviewoftheircomingsandgoingswiththetreasure，itwouldbewellifthevigilanceofthePerrachehusbandandwifecouldbedulledinsomemanner。Consequently，aftercarefullyflingingtherefusepoppy—headsintotheprivy，shecalledtotheportress：——
\"MadamePerrache，comeupandtastehiswine。Wouldn’tyouhavethoughttohearhimtalkhewasreadytodrinkacaskofit？Well，acupfulsatisfiedhim。\"
\"Yourhealth！\"saidtheportress，touchingglasseswiththeCardinal，whowascarefultohavehersfilledwiththeunboiledwine。Lessaccomplishedasagourmetthantheoldbeggar，MadamePerracheperceivednothingintheinsidiousliquid（coldbythetimeshedrankit）tomakehersuspectitsnarcoticcharacter；onthecontrary，shedeclareditwas\"velvet，\"andwishedthatherhusbandweretheretohaveashareinthetreat。Afteraratherlonggossip，thetwowomenseparated。Then，withthecookedmeatshehadprovidedforherself，andtheremainsoftheRoussillon，MadameCardinalmadearepastwhichshefinishedoffwithasiesta。Withoutmentioningtheemotionsoftheday，theinfluenceofoneofthemostheadywinesofthecountrywouldhavesufficedtoexplainthesoundnessofhersleep；whenshewokedarknesswascomingon。
Herfirstcarewastogiveaglanceatherpatient；hissleepwasrestless，andhewasdreamingaloud。
\"Diamonds，\"hesaid；\"thosediamonds？Atmydeath，butnotbefore。\"
\"Gracious！\"thoughtMadameCardinal，\"thatwastheonethinglacking，——diamonds！thatheshouldhavediamonds！\"
Then，asToupillierseemedtobeinthegraspofaviolentnightmare，sheleanedoverhimsoasnottoloseawordofhisspeech，hopingtogatherfromitsomeimportantrevelation。Atthismomentaslightrapgiventothedoor，fromwhichthecarefulnursehadremovedthekey，announcedthearrivalofCerizet。