\"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。\"