第2章

Thedayafterthisconferencewasthe30thofApril，andtheCointetspresentedthefirstofthethreebillsforgedbyLucien。Unluckily，thebillwasbroughttopoorMme。Sechard；andshe，seeingatoncethatthesignaturewasnotinherhusband’shandwriting，sentforDavidandaskedhimpoint-blank：

“Youdidnotputyournametothatbill，didyou？“

“No。”saidhe；“yourbrotherwassopressedfortimethathesignedforme。”

EvereturnedthebilltothebankmessengersentbytheCointets。

“Wecannotmeetit。”shesaid；then，feelingthatherstrengthwasfailing，shewentuptoherroom。Davidfollowedher。

“GoquicklytotheCointets，dear。”Evesaidfaintly；“theywillhavesomeconsiderationforyou；begthemtowait；andcalltheirattentionbesidestothefactthatwhenCerizet’sleaseisrenewed，theywilloweyouathousandfrancs。”

Davidwentforthwithtohisenemies。Now，anyforemanmaybecomeamasterprinter，buttherearenotalwaysthemakingsofagoodmanofbusinessinaskilledtypographer；Davidknewverylittleofbusiness；

when，therefore，withaheavily-beatingheartandasensationofthrottling，Davidhadputhisexcusesbadlyenoughandformulatedhisrequest，theanswer——“Thisisnothingtodowithus；thebillhasbeenpassedontousbyMetivier；Metivierwillpayus。ApplytoM。

Metivier“——cuthimshortatonce。

“Oh！“criedEvewhensheheardtheresult，“assoonasthebillisreturnedtoM。Metivier，wemaybeeasy。”

Attwoo’clockthenextday，Victor-Ange-HermenegildeDoublon，bailiff，madeprotestfornon-paymentattwoo’clock，atimewhenthePlaceduMurierisfullofpeople；sothatthoughDoublonwascarefultostandandchatatthebackdoorwithMarionandKolb，thenewsoftheprotestwasknownalloverthebusinessworldofAngoulemethatevening。TallCointethadenjoinedituponMasterDoublontoshowtheSechardsthegreatestconsideration；butwhenallwassaidanddone，couldthebailiff’shypocriticalregardforappearancessaveEveandDavidfromthedisgraceofasuspensionofpayment？Leteachjudgeforhimself。Atolerablylongdigressionofthiskindwillseemalltooshort；andninetyoutofeveryhundredreadersshallseizewithavidityupondetailsthatpossessallthepiquancyofnovelty，thusestablishingyetonceagainthetrustofthewell-knownaxiom，thatthereisnothingsolittleknownasthatwhicheverybodyissupposedtoknow——theLawoftheLand，towit。

Andofatruth，fortheimmensemajorityofFrenchmen，aminutedescriptionofsomepartofthemachineryofbankingwillbeasinterestingasanychapterofforeigntravel。Whenatradesmanlivinginonetowngivesabilltoanothertradesmanelsewhere(asDavidwassupposedtohavedoneforLucien’sbenefit)，thetransactionceasestobeasimplepromissorynote，giveninthewayofbusinessbyonetradesmantoanotherinthesameplace，andbecomesinsomesortaletterofexchange。When，therefore，MetivieracceptedLucien’sthreebills，hewasobligedtosendthemforcollectiontohiscorrespondentsinAngouleme——toCointetBrothers，thatistosay。

Hence，likewise，acertaininitiallossforLucieninexchangeonAngouleme，takingthepracticalshapeofanabatementofsomuchpercentoverandabovethediscount。InthiswaySechard’sbillshadpassedintocirculationinthebank。Youwouldnotbelievehowgreatlythequalityofbanker，unitedwiththeaugusttitleofcreditor，changesthedebtor’sposition。Forinstance，whenabillhasbeenpassedthroughthebank(pleasenotethatexpression)，andtransferredfromthemoneymarketinParistothefinancialworldofAngouleme，ifthatbillisprotested，thenthebankersinAngoulememustdrawupadetailedaccountoftheexpensesofprotestandreturn；’tisadutywhichtheyowetothemselves。Jokingapart，noaccountofthemostromanticadventurecouldbemoremildlyimprobablethanthisofthejourneymadebyabill。BeholdacertainarticleintheCodeofcommerceauthorizingthemostingeniouspleasantriesafterMascarille’smanner，andtheinterpretationthereofshallmakeapparentmanifoldatrocitieslurkingbeneaththeformidableword“legal。”

MasterDoublonregisteredtheprotestandwenthimselfwithittoMM。

CointetBrothers。Thefirmhadastandingaccountwiththeirbailiff；

hegavethemsixmonths’credit；andthelynxesofAngoulemepracticallytookatwelvemonth，thoughtallCointetwouldsaymonthbymonthtothelynxes’jackal，“Doyouwantanymoney，Doublon？“Norwasthisall。Doublongavetheinfluentialhousearebateuponeverytransaction；itwasthemeresttrifle，onefrancfiftycentimesonaprotest，forinstance。

TallCointetquietlysathimselfdownathisdeskandtookoutasmallsheetofpaperwithathirty-fivecentimestampuponit，chattingashedidsowithDoublonastothestandingofsomeofthelocaltradesmen。

“Well，areyousatisfiedwithyoungGannerac？“

“Heisnotdoingbadly。Lord，acarrierdrivesatrade——“

“Drivesatrade，yes；but，asamatteroffact，hisexpensesareaheavypullonhim；hiswifespendsagooddeal，sotheytellme——“

“OfHISmoney？“askedDoublon，withaknowinglook。

Thelynxmeanwhilehadfinishedrulinghissheetofpaper，andnowproceededtotracetheominouswordsattheheadofthefollowingaccountinboldcharacters：——

ACCOUNTOFEXPENSESOFPROTESTANDRETURN。

ToonebillforONETHOUSANDFRANCS，bearingdateofFebruarythetenth，eighteenhundredandtwenty-two，drawnbySECHARDJUNIORofAngouleme，toorderofLUCIENCHARDON，otherwiseDERUBEMPRE，endorsedtoorderofMETIVIER，andfinallytoourorder，maturedthethirtiethofAprillast，protestedbyDOUBLON，process-server，onthefirstofMay，eighteenhundredandtwenty-two。

fr。c。

Principal……1000——

ExpensesofProtest……1235

Bankcharges，one-halfpercent……5——

Brokerage，one-quarterpercent……250

Stamponre-draftandpresentaccount……135

Interestandpostage……3——

________

102420

Exchangeattherateofoneandaquarterpercenton1024fr。20c……1325

________

Total……103745

Onethousandandthirty-sevenfrancsforty-fivecentimes，forwhichwerepayourselvesbyourdraftatsightuponM。Metivier，RueSerpente，Paris，payabletoorderofM。GanneracofL’Houmeau。

ANGOULEME，May2，1822COINTETBROTHERS。

Atthefootofthislittlememorandum，draftedwiththeeasethatcomesoflongpractice(forthewriterchattedwithDoublonashewrote)，thereappearedthesubjoinedformofdeclaration：——

“We，theundersigned，PostelofL’Houmeau，pharmaceuticalchemist，andGannerac，forwardingagent，merchantofthistown，herebycertifythatthepresentrateofexchangeonParisisoneandaquarterpercent。

“ANGOULEME，May2，1822。”

“Here，Doublon，besogoodastosteproundandaskPostelandGanneractoputtheirnamestothisdeclaration，andbringitbackwithyouto-morrowmorning。”

AndDoublon，quiteaccustomedashewastotheseinstrumentsoftorture，forthwithwent，asifitwerethesimplestthingintheworld。Evidentlytheprotestmighthavebeensentinanenvelope，asinParis，andevensoallAngoulemewassuretohearofthepoorSechards’unluckypredicament。Howtheyallblamedhiswantofbusinessenergy！Hisexcessivefondnessforhiswifehadbeentheruinofhim，accordingtosome；othersmaintainedthatitwashisaffectionforhisbrother-in-law；andwhatshockingconclusionsdidtheynotdrawfromthesepremises！Amanoughtnevertoembracetheinterestsofhiskithandkin。OldSechard’shard-heartedconductmetwithapproval，andpeopleadmiredhimforhistreatmentofhisson！

Andnow，allyouwhoforanyreasonwhatsoevershouldforgetto“honoryourengagements。”lookwellintothemethodsofthebankingbusiness，bywhichonethousandfrancsmaybemadetopayinterestattherateoftwenty-eightfrancsintenminutes，withoutbreakingthelawoftheland。

Thethousandfrancs，theoneincontestableitemintheaccount，comesfirst。

TheseconditemissharedbetweenthebailiffandtheInlandRevenueDepartment。ThesixfrancsduetotheStateforprovidingapieceofstampedpaper，andputtingthedebtor’smortificationonrecord，willprobablyensurealonglifetothisabuse；andasyoualreadyknow，onefrancfiftycentimesfromthisitemfounditswayintothebanker’spocketsintheshapeofDoublon’srebate。

“Bankchargesone-halfpercent。”runsthethirditem，whichappearsupontheingeniouspleathatifabankerhasnotreceivedpayment，hehasforallpracticalpurposesdiscountedabill。Andalthoughthecontrarymaybethecase，ifyoufailtoreceiveathousandfrancs，itseemstobeverymuchthesamethingasifyouhadpaidthemaway。

Everybodywhohasdiscountedabillknowsthathehastopaymorethanthesixpercentfixedbylaw；forasmallpercentageappearsunderthehumbletitleof“charges。”representingapremiumonthefinancialgeniusandskillwithwhichthecapitalistputshismoneyouttointerest。Themoremoneyhemakesoutofyou，themoreheasks。

Whereforeitwouldbeundoubtedlycheapertodiscountabillwithafool，iffoolstherebeintheprofessionofbill-discounting。

Thelawrequiresthebankertoobtainastock-broker’scertificatefortherateofexchange。Whenaplaceissounluckyastoboastnostockexchange，twomerchantsactinstead。Thisisthesignificanceoftheitem“brokerage“；itisafixedchargeofaquarterpercentontheamountoftheprotestedbill。Thecustomistoconsidertheamountaspaidtothemerchantswhoactforthestock-broker，andthebankerquietlyputsthemoneyintohiscash-box。Somuchforthethirditeminthisdelightfulaccount。

Thefourthincludesthecostofthepieceofstampedpaperonwhichtheaccountitselfappears，aswellasthecostofthestampforre-draft，asitisingeniouslynamed，viz。，thebanker’sdraftuponhiscolleagueinParis。

Thefifthisachargeforpostageandthelegalinterestdueupontheamountforthetimethatitmayhappentobeabsentfromthebanker’sstrongbox。

Thefinalitem，theexchange，istheobjectforwhichthebankexists，whichistosay，forthetransmissionofsumsofmoneyfromoneplacetoanother。

Now，siftthisaccountthoroughly，andwhatdoyoufind？ThemethodofcalculationcloselyresemblesPolichinelle’sarithmeticinLablache’sNeapolitansong，“fifteenandfivemaketwenty-two。”ThesignaturesofMessieursPostelandGanneracwereobviouslygiventoobligeinthewayofbusiness；theCointetswouldactatneedforGanneracasGanneracactedfortheCointets。Itwasapracticalapplicationofthewell-knownproverb，“ReachmetherhubarbandIwillpassyouthesenna。”CointetBrothers，moreover，keptastandingaccountwithMetivier；therewasnoneedofare-draft，andnore-draftwasmade。A

returnedbillbetweenthetwofirmssimplymeantadebitorcreditentryandanotherlineinaledger。

Thishighly-coloredaccount，therefore，isreducedtotheonethousandfrancs，withanadditionalthirteenfrancsforexpensesofprotest，andhalfpercentforamonth’sdelay，onethousandandeighteenfrancsitmaybeinall。

Supposethatinalargebanking-houseabillforathousandfrancsisdailyprotestedonanaverage，thenthebankerreceivestwenty-eightfrancsadaybythegraceofGodandtheconstitutionofthebankingsystem，thatallpowerfulinventionduetotheJewishintellectoftheMiddleAges，whichaftersixcenturiesstillcontrolsmonarchsandpeoples。Inotherwords，athousandfrancswouldbringsuchahousetwenty-eightfrancsperday，ortenthousandtwohundredandtwentyfrancsperannum。Tripletheaverageofprotests，andconsequentlyofexpenses，andyoushallderiveanincomeofthirtythousandfrancsperannum，interestuponpurelyfictitiouscapital。Forwhichreason，nothingismorelovinglycultivatedthantheselittle“accountsofexpenses。”

IfDavidSechardhadcometopayhisbillonthe3rdofMay，thatis，thedayafteritwasprotested，MM。CointetBrotherswouldhavemethimatoncewith，“WehavereturnedyourbilltoM。Metivier。”

although，asamatteroffact，thedocumentwouldhavebeenlyinguponthedesk。Abankerhasarighttomakeouttheaccountofexpensesontheeveningofthedaywhenthebillisprotested，andheusestherightto“sweatthesilvercrowns。”inthecountrybanker’sphrase。

TheKellers，withcorrespondentsallovertheworld，maketwentythousandfrancsperannumbychargesforpostagealone；accountsofexpensesofprotestpayforMme。laBaronnedeNucingen’sdresses，operabox，andcarriage。Thechargeforpostageisamoreshockingswindle，becauseahousewillsettletenmattersofbusinessinasmanylinesofasingleletter。Andofthetithewrungfrommisfortune，theGovernment，strangetosay！takesitsshare，andthenationalrevenueisswelledbyataxoncommercialfailure。AndtheBank？fromtheaugustheightofacounting-housesheflingsanobservation，fullofcommonsense，atthedebtor，“Howisit？“asksshe，“thatyoucannotmeetyourbill？“and，unluckily，thereisnoreplytothequestion。

Wherefore，the“accountofexpenses“isanaccountbristlingwithdreadfulfictions，fittocauseanydebtor，whohenceforthshallreflectuponthisinstructivepage，asalutaryshudder。

Onthe4thofMay，MetivierreceivedtheaccountfromCointetBrothers，withinstructionstoproceedagainstM。LucienChardon，otherwisedeRubempre，withtheutmostrigorofthelaw。

EvealsowrotetoM。Metivier，andafewdayslaterreceivedananswerwhichreassuredhercompletely：——

ToM。Sechard，Junior，Printer，Angouleme。

“Ihavedulyreceivedyouresteemedfavorofthe5thinstant。FromyourexplanationofthebilldueonApril30th，Iunderstandthatyouhaveobligedyourbrother-in-law，M。deRubempre，whoisspendingsomuchthatitwillbedoingyouaservicetosummonshim。Hispresentpositionissuchthatheislikelytodelaypaymentforlong。Ifyourbrother-in-lawshouldrefusepayment，I

shallrelyuponthecreditofyourold-establishedhouse——Isignmyselfnow，asever，yourobedientservant，“Metivier。”

“Well。”saidEve，commentinguponthelettertoDavid，“Lucienwillknowwhentheysummonshimthatwecouldnotpay。”

WhatachangewroughtinEvethosefewwordsmeant！Thelovethatgrewdeeperasshecametoknowherhusband’scharacterbetterandbetter，wastakingtheplaceofloveforherbrotherinherheart。Buttohowmanyillusionshadshenotbadefarewell？

AndnowletustraceoutthewholehistoryofthebillandtheaccountofexpensesinthebusinessworldofParis。Thelawenactsthatthethirdholder，thetechnicalexpressionforthethirdpartyintowhosehandsthebillpasses，isatlibertytoproceedforthewholeamountagainstanyoneofthevariousendorserswhoappearstohimtobemostlikelytomakepromptpayment。M。Metivier，usingthisdiscretion，servedasummonsuponLucien。Beholdthesuccessivestagesoftheproceedings，allofthemperfectlyfutile。Metivier，withtheCointetsbehindhim，knewthatLucienwasnotinapositiontopay，butinsolvencyinfactisnotinsolvencyinlawuntilithasbeenformallyproved。

FormalproofofLucien’sinabilitytopaywasobtainedinthefollowingmanner：

Onthe5thofMay，Metivier’sprocess-servergaveLuciennoticeoftheprotestandanaccountoftheexpensethereof，andsummonedhimtoappearbeforetheTribunalofCommerce，orCountyCourt，ofParis，tohearavastnumberofthings：this，amongothers，thathewasliabletoimprisonmentasamerchant。BythetimethatLucien，hardpressedandhunteddownonallsides，readthisjargon，hereceivednoticeofjudgmentagainsthimbydefault。Coralie，hismistress，ignorantofthewholematter，imaginedthatLucienhadobligedhisbrother-in-law，andhandedhimallthedocumentstogether——toolate。Anactressseessomuchofbailiffs，duns，andwrits，uponthestage，thatshelooksonallstampedpaperasafarce。

TearsfilledLucien’seyes；hewasunhappyonSechard’saccount，hewasashamedoftheforgery，hewishedtopay，hedesiredtogaintime。

Naturallyhetookcounselofhisfriends。ButbythetimeLousteau，Blondet，Bixiou，andNathanhadtoldthepoettosnaphisfingersatacourtonlyestablishedfortradesmen，Lucienwasalreadyintheclutchesofthelaw。Hebehelduponhisdoorthelittleyellowplacardwhichleavesitsreflectionontheporter’scountenance，andexercisesamostastringentinfluenceuponcredit；strikingterrorintotheheartofthesmallesttradesman，andfreezingthebloodintheveinsofapoetsusceptibleenoughtocareaboutthebitsofwood，silkenrags，dyedwoolenstuffs，andmultifariousgimcracksentitledfurniture。

Whenthebroker’smencameforCoralie’sfurniture，theauthoroftheMargueritesfledtoafriendofBixiou’s，oneDesroches，abarrister，whoburstoutlaughingatthesightofLucieninsuchastateaboutnothingatall。

“Thatisnothing，mydearfellow。Doyouwanttogaintime？“

“Yes，asmuchpossible。”

“Verywell，applyforstayofexecution。GoandlookupMasson，heisasolicitorintheCommercialCourt，andafriendofmine。Takeyourdocumentstohim。Hewillmakeasecondapplicationforyou，andgivenoticeofobjectiontothejurisdictionofthecourt。Thereisnottheleastdifficulty；youareajournalist，yournameiswellknownenough。Iftheysummonsyoubeforeacivilcourt，cometomeaboutit，thatwillbemyaffair；IengagetosendanybodywhoofferstoannoythefairCoralieabouthisbusiness。”

Onthe28thofMay，Lucien’scasecameoninthecivilcourt，andjudgmentwasgivenbeforeDesrochesexpectedit。Lucien’screditorwaspushingontheproceedingsagainsthim。Asecondexecutionwasputin，andagainCoralie’spilastersweregildedwithplacards。Desrochesfeltratherfoolish；acolleaguehad“caughthimnapping。”tousehisownexpression。Hedemurred，notwithoutreason，thatthefurniturebelongedtoMlle。Coralie，withwhomLucienwasliving，anddemandedanorderforinquiry。Thereuponthejudgereferredthemattertotheregistrarforinquiry，thefurniturewasprovedtobelongtotheactress，andjudgmentwasenteredaccordingly。Metivierappealed，andjudgmentwasconfirmedonappealonthe30thofJune。

Onthe7thofAugust，MaitreCachanreceivedbythecoachabulkypackageendorsed，“MetivierversusSechardandLucienChardon。”

Thefirstdocumentwasaneatlittlebill，ofwhichacopy(accuracyguaranteed)isheregivenforthereader’sbenefit：——

ToBillduethelastdayofApril，drawnbySECHARD，JUNIOR，toorderofLUCIENDE

RUBEMPRE，togetherwithexpensesoffr。c。

protestandreturn……103745

May5th——ServingnoticeofprotestandsummonstoappearbeforetheTribunalofCommerceinParis，May7th……875

“7th——Judgmentbydefaultandwarrantofarrest……35——

“10th——Notificationofjudgment……850

“12th——Warrantofexecution……550

“14th——Inventoryandappraisementprevioustoexecution……16——

“18th——Expensesofaffixingplacards……1525

“19th——Registration……4——

“24th——Verificationofinventory，andapplicationforstayofexecutiononthepartofthesaidLuciendeRubempre，objectingtothejurisdictionoftheCourt……12——

“27th——OrderoftheCourtuponapplicationdulyrepeated，andtransferofofcasetotheCivilCourt……35——

________

Carriedforward……117745

fr。c。

Broughtforward117745

May28th——NoticeofsummaryproceedingsintheCivilCourtattheinstanceofMetivier，representedbycounsel……650

June2nd——Judgment，afterhearingbothparties，condemningLucienforexpensesofprotestandreturn；

theplaintifftobearcostsofproceedingsintheCommercialCourt……150——

“6th——Notificationofjudgment……10——

“15th——Warrantofexecution……550

“19th——Inventoryandappraisementpreparatorytoexecution；interpleadersummonsbytheDemoiselleCoralie，claiminggoodsandchattelstakeninexecution；demandforimmediatespecialinquirybeforefurtherproceedingsbetaken……20——

““——Judge’sorderreferringmattertoregistrarforimmediatespecialinquiry……40——

““——JudgmentinfavorofthesaidMademoiselleCoralie……250——

“20th——AppealbyMetivier……17——

“30th——Confirmationofjudgment……250——

________

Total……192645

__________

BillmaturedMay31st，withexpensesoffr。c。

protestandreturn……103745

Servingnoticeofprotest……875

________

Total……104620

BillmaturedJune30th，withexpensesofprotestandreturn……103745

Servingnoticeofprotest……875

________

Total……104620

__________

ThisdocumentwasaccompaniedbyaletterfromMetivier，instructingMaitreCachan，notaryofAngouleme，toprosecuteDavidSechardwiththeutmostrigorofthelaw。WhereforeMaitreVictor-Ange-HermenegildeDoublonsummonedDavidSechardbeforetheTribunalofCommerceinAngoulemeforthesum-totaloffourthousandandeighteenfrancseighty-fivecentimes，theamountofthethreebillsandexpensesalreadyincurred。OnthemorningoftheverydaywhenDoublonservedthewrituponEve，requiringhertopayasumsoenormousinhereyes，therecamealetterlikeathunderboltfromMetivier：——

ToMonsieurSechard，Junior，Printer，Angouleme。

“SIR，——Yourbrother-in-law，M。Chardon，issoshamelesslydishonest，thathedeclareshisfurnituretobethepropertyofanactresswithwhomheisliving。Yououghttohaveinformedmecandidlyofthesecircumstances，andnothaveallowedmetogotouselessexpenseoverlawproceedings。Ihavereceivednoanswertomyletterofthe10thofMaylast。Youmustnot，therefore，takeitamissifIaskforimmediaterepaymentofthethreebillsandtheexpensestowhichIhavebeenput——Yours，etc。，“METIVIER。”

Evehadheardnothingduringthesemonths，andsupposed，inherignoranceofcommerciallaw，thatherbrotherhadmadereparationforhissinsbymeetingtheforgedbills。

“Bequick，andgoatoncetoPetit-Claud，dear。”shesaid；“tellhimaboutit，andaskhisadvice。”

Davidhurriedtohisschoolfellow’soffice。

“Whenyoucametotellmeofyourappointmentandofferedmeyourservices，IdidnotthinkthatIshouldneedthemsosoon。”hesaid。

Petit-Claudstudiedthefinefaceofthismanwhosatoppositehimintheofficechair，andscarcelylistenedtothedetailsofthecase，forheknewmoreofthemalreadythanthespeaker。AssoonashesawSechard’sanxiety，hesaidtohimself，“Thetrickhassucceeded。”

Thiskindofcomedyisoftenplayedinanattorney’soffice。“WhyaretheCointetspersecutinghim？“Petit-Claudwonderedwithinhimself，fortheattorneycanusehiswittoreadhisclients’thoughtsasclearlyastheideasoftheiropponents，anditishisbusinesstoseebothsidesofthejudicialweb。

“Youwanttogaintime。”hesaidatlast，whenSechardhadcometoanend。“Howlongdoyouwant？Somethinglikethreeorfourmonths？“

“Oh！fourmonths！thatwouldbemysalvation。”exclaimedDavid。Petit-

Claudappearedtohimasanangel。

“Verywell。Nooneshalllayhandsonanyofyourfurniture，andnooneshallarrestyouforfourmonths——Butitwillcostyouagreatdeal。”saidPetit-Claud。

“Eh！whatdoesthatmattertome？“criedSechard。

“Youareexpectingsomemoneytocomein；butareyousureofit？“

askedPetit-Claud，astonishedatthewayinwhichhisclientwalkedintothetoils。

“Inthreemonths’timeIshallhaveplentyofmoney。”saidtheinventor，withaninventor’shopefulconfidence。

“Yourfatherisstillaboveground。”suggestedPetit-Claud；“heisinnohurrytoleavehisvines。”

“DoyouthinkthatIamcountingonmyfather’sdeath？“returnedDavid。“Iamonthetrackofatradesecret，thesecretofmakingasheetofpaperasstrongasDutchpaper，withoutathreadofcottoninit，andatacostoffiftypercentlessthancottonpulp。”

“Thereisafortuneinthat！“exclaimedPetit-Claud。HeknewnowwhatthetallCointetmeant。

“Alargefortune，myfriend，forintenyears’timethedemandforpaperwillbetentimeslargerthanitisto-day。Journalismwillbethecrazeofourday。”

“Nobodyknowsyoursecret？“

“Nobodyexceptmywife。”

“Youhavenottoldanyonewhatyoumeantodo——theCointets，forexample？“

“Ididsaysomethingaboutit，butingeneralterms，Ithink。”

AsuddensparkofgenerosityflashedthroughPetit-Claud’srancoroussoul；hetriedtoreconcileSechard’sinterestswiththeCointet’sprojectsandhisown。

“Listen，David，weareoldschoolfellows，youandI；Iwillfightyourcase；butunderstandthisclearly——thedefence，intheteethofthelaw，willcostyoufiveorsixthousandfrancs！Donotcompromiseyourprospects。Ithinkyouwillbecompelledtosharetheprofitsofyourinventionwithsomeoneofourpapermanufacturers。Letusseenow。

Youwillthinktwicebeforeyoubuyorbuildapapermill；andthereisthecostofthepatentbesides。Allthismeanstime，andmoneytoo。

Theserversofwritswillbedownuponyoutoosoon，perhaps，althoughwearegoingtogivethemtheslip——“

“Ihavemysecret。”saidDavid，withthesimplicityofthemanofbooks。

“Wellandgood，yoursecretwillbeyourplankofsafety。”saidPetit-

Claud；hisfirstloyalintentionofavoidingalawsuitbyacompromisewasfrustrated。“Idonotwishtoknowit；butmindthisthatItellyou。Workinthebowelsoftheearthifyoucan，sothatnoonemaywatchyouandgainahintfromyourwaysofworking，oryourplankwillbestolenfromunderyourfeet。Aninventorandasimpletonoftenliveinthesameskin。Yourmindrunssomuchonyoursecretsthatyoucannotthinkofeverything。Peoplewillbegintohavetheirsuspicionsatlast，andtheplaceisfullofpapermanufacturers。Somanymanufacturers，somanyenemiesforyou！Youarelikeabeaverwiththehuntersaboutyou；donotgivethemyourskin——“

“Thankyou，dearfellow，Ihavetoldmyselfallthis。”exclaimedSechard，“butIamobligedtoyouforshowingsomuchconcernformeandforyourforethought。Itdoesnotreallymattertomemyself。Anincomeoftwelvehundredfrancswouldbeenoughforme，andmyfatheroughtbyrightstoleavemethreetimesasmuchsomeday。Loveandthoughtmakeupmylife——adivinelife。IamworkingforLucien’ssakeandformywife’s。”

“Come，givemethispowerofattorney，andthinkofnothingbutyourdiscovery。Ifthereshouldbeanydangerofarrest，Iwillletyouknowintime，forwemustthinkofallpossibilities。Andletmetellyouagaintoallownooneofwhomyouarenotsosureasyouareofyourselftocomeintoyourplace。”

“Cerizetdidnotcaretocontinuetheleaseoftheplantandpremises，henceourlittlemoneydifficulties。WehavenooneathomenowbutMarionandKolb，anAlsacienastrustyasadog，andmywifeandhermother——“

“Oneword。”saidPetit-Claud，“don’ttrustthatdog——“

“Youdonotknowhim。”exclaimedDavid；“heislikeasecondself。”

“MayItryhim？“

“Yes。”saidSechard。

“There，good-bye，butsendMme。Sechardtome；Imusthaveapowerofattorneyfromyourwife。Andbearinmind，myfriend，thatthereisafireburninginyouraffairs。”saidPetit-Claud，bywayofwarningofallthetroublesgatheringinthelawcourtstoburstuponDavid’shead。

“HereamIwithonefootinBurgundyandtheotherinChampagne。”headdedtohimselfasheclosedtheofficedooronDavid。

Harassedbymoneydifficulties，besetwithfearsforhiswife’shealth，stungtothequickbyLucien’sdisgrace，Davidhadworkedonathisproblem。Hehadbeentryingtofindasingleprocesstoreplacethevariousoperationsofpoundingandmacerationtowhichallflaxorcottonorrags，anyvegetablefibre，infact，mustbesubjected；andashewenttoPetit-Claud’soffice，heabstractedlychewedabitofnettlestalkthathadbeensteepinginwater。Onhiswayhome，tolerablysatisfiedwithhisinterview，hefeltalittlepelletstickingbetweenhisteeth。Helaiditonhishand，flatteneditout，andsawthatthepulpwasfarsuperiortoanypreviousresult。Thewantofcohesionisthegreatdrawbackofallvegetablefibre；straw，forinstance，yieldsaverybrittlepaper，whichmayalmostbecalledmetallicandresonant。ThesechancesonlybefallboldinquirersintoNature’smethods！

“Now。”saidhetohimself，“ImustcontrivetodobymachineryandsomechemicalagencythethingthatImyselfhavedoneunconsciously。”

Whenhiswifesawhim，hisfacewasradiantwithbeliefinvictory。

ThereweretracesoftearsinEve’sface。

“Oh！mydarling，donottroubleyourself；Petit-Claudwillguaranteethatweshallnotbemolestedforseveralmonthstocome。Therewillbeagooddealofexpenseoverit；but，asPetit-Claudsaidwhenhecametothedoorwithme，’AFrenchmanhasarighttokeephiscreditorswaiting，providedherepaysthemcapital，interest，andcosts。’——Verywell，then，weshalldothat——“

“Andlivemeanwhile？“askedpoorEve，whothoughtofeverything。

“Ah！thatistrue。”saidDavid，carryinghishandtohisearaftertheunaccountablefashionofmostperplexedmortals。

“MotherwilllookafterlittleLucien，andIcangobacktoworkagain。”saidshe。

“Eve！oh，myEve！“criedDavid，holdinghiswifecloselytohim——“AtSaintes，notveryfarfromhere，inthesixteenthcentury，therelivedoneoftheverygreatestofFrenchmen，forhewasnotmerelytheinventorofglaze，hewasthegloriousprecursorofBuffonandCuvierbesides；hewasthefirstgeologist，good，simplesoulthathewas。

BernardPalissyenduredthemartyrdomappointedforallseekersintosecretsbuthiswifeandchildrenandallhisneighborswereagainsthim。Hiswifeusedtosellhistools；nobodyunderstoodhim，hewanderedaboutthecountryside，hewashunteddown，theyjeeredathim。ButI——amloved——“

“Dearlyloved！“saidEve，withthequietserenityofthelovethatissureofitself。

“AndsomaywellendureallthatpoorBernardPalissysuffered——

BernardPalissy，thediscovererofEcouenware，theHuguenotexceptedbyCharlesIX。onthedayofSaint-Bartholomew。Helivedtoberichandhonoredinhisoldage，andlecturedonthe’ScienceofEarths，’

ashecalledit，inthefaceofEurope。”

“Solongasmyfingerscanholdaniron，youshallwantfornothing。”

criedthepoorwife，intonesthattoldofthedeepestdevotion。“WhenIwasMme。Prieur’sforewomanIhadafriendamongthegirls，BasineClerget，acousinofPostel’s，averygoodchild；well，Basinetoldmetheotherdaywhenshebroughtbackthelinen，thatshewastakingMme。Prieur’sbusiness；Iwillworkforher。”

“Ah！youshallnotworkthereforlong。”saidDavid；“Ihavefoundout——“

Eve，watchinghisface，sawthesublimebeliefinsuccesswhichsustainstheinventor，thebeliefthatgiveshimcouragetogoforthintothevirginforestsofthecountryofDiscovery；and，forthefirsttimeinherlife，sheansweredthatconfidentlookwithahalf-

sadsmile。Davidbenthisheadmournfully。

“Oh！mydear！Iamnotlaughing！Ididnotdoubt！Itwasnotasneer！“

criedEve，onherkneesbeforeherhusband。“ButIseeplainlynowthatyouwererighttotellmenothingaboutyourexperimentsandyourhopes。Ah！yes，dear，aninventorshouldendurethelongpainfultravailofagreatideaalone，heshouldnotutterawordofiteventohiswife……Awomanisawomanstill。ThisEveofyourscouldnothelpsmilingwhensheheardyousay，’Ihavefoundout，’fortheseventeenthtimethismonth。”

DavidburstoutlaughingsoheartilyathisownexpensethatEvecaughthishandinhersandkisseditreverently。Itwasadeliciousmomentforthemboth，oneofthoserosesofloveandtendernessthatgrowbesidethedesertpathsofthebitterestpoverty，nay，attimesinyetdarkerdepths。

Asthestormofmisfortunegrew，Eve’scourageredoubled；thegreatnessofherhusband’snature，hisinventor’ssimplicity，thetearsthatnowandagainshesawintheeyesofthisdreamerofdreamswiththetenderheart，——allthesethingsarousedinheranunsuspectedenergyofresistance。Onceagainshetriedtheplanthathadsucceededsowellalready。ShewrotetoM。Metivier，remindinghimthattheprintingofficewasforsale，offeredtopayhimoutoftheproceeds，andbeggedhimnottoruinDavidwithneedlesscosts。Metivierreceivedtheheroicletter，andshammeddead。Hishead-clerkrepliedthatintheabsenceofM。Metivierhecouldnottakeituponhimselftostayproceedings，forhisemployerhadmadeitaruletoletthelawtakeitscourse。Evewroteagain，offeringthistimetorenewthebillsandpayallthecostshithertoincurred。Tothistheclerkconsented，providedthatSechardseniorguaranteedpayment。SoEvewalkedovertoMarsac，takingKolbandhermotherwithher。Shebravedtheoldvinedresser，andsocharmingwasshe，thattheoldman’sfacerelaxed，andthepuckerssmoothedoutatthesightofher；butwhen，withinwardquakings，shecametospeakofaguarantee，shebeheldasuddenandcompletechangeofthetippleographiccountenance。

“IfIallowedmysontoputhishandtothelipsofmycashboxwheneverhehadamind，hewouldplungeitdeepintothevitals，hewouldtakeallIhave！“criedoldSechard。“Thatisthewaywithchildren；theyeatuptheirparents’purse。WhatdidIdomyself，eh？

_I_nevercostmyparentsafarthing。Yourprintingofficeisstandingidle。Theratsandthemicedoalltheprintingthatisdoneinit……Youhaveaprettyface；Iamveryfondofyou；youareacareful，hard-workingwoman；butthatsonofmine！——DoyouknowwhatDavidis？I’lltellyou——heisascholarthatwillneverdoastrokeofwork！IfIhadrearedhim，asIwasrearedmyself，withoutknowinghisletters，andifIhadmadea’bear’ofhim，likehisfatherbeforehim，hewouldhavemoneysavedandputouttointerestbynow……

Oh！heismycross，thatfellowis，lookyou！And，unluckily，heisallthefamilyIhave，forthereisneverliketobealateredition。

Andwhenhemakesyouunhappy——“

Eveprotestedwithavehementgestureofdenial。

“Yes，hedoes。”affirmedoldSechard；“youhadtofindawet-nurseforthechild。Come，come，Iknowallaboutit，youareinthecountycourt，andthewholetownistalkingaboutyou。Iwasonlya’bear，’

_I_havenobooklearning，_I_wasnotforemanattheDidots’，thefirstprintersintheworld；butyetIneverseteyesonabitofstampedpaper。DoyouknowwhatIsaytomyselfasIgotoandfroamongmyvines，lookingafterthemandgettinginmyvintage，anddoingmybitsofbusiness？——Isaytomyself，’Youaretakingalotoftrouble，pooroldchap；workingtopileonesilvercrownonanother，youwillleaveafinepropertybehindyou，andthebailiffsandthelawyerswillgetitall；……orelseitwillgoinnonsensicalnotionsandcrotchets。’——Lookyouhere，child；youarethemotherofyonderlittlelad；itseemedtomeasIheldhimatthefontwithMme。

ChardonthatIcouldseehisoldgrandfather’scoppernoseonhisface；verywell，thinklessofSechardandmoreofthatlittlerascal。

Icantrustnoonebutyou；youwillpreventhimfromsquanderingmyproperty——mypoorproperty。”

“But，dearpapaSechard，yoursonwillbeacredittoyou，youwillsee；hewillmakemoneyandbearichmanoneofthesedays，andweartheCrossoftheLegionofHonorathisbuttonhole。”

“Whatishegoingtodotogetit？“

“Youwillsee。But，meanwhile，wouldathousandcrownsruinyou？A

thousandcrownswouldputanendtotheproceedings。Well，ifyoucannottrusthim，lendthemoneytome；Iwillpayitback；youcouldmakeitachargeonmyportion，onmyearnings——“

“ThenhassomeonebroughtDavidintoacourtoflaw？“criedthevinedresser，amazedtofindthatthegossipwasreallytrue。“Seewhatcomesofknowinghowtowriteyourname！Andhowaboutmyrent！Oh！

littlegirl，ImustgotoAngoulemeatonceandaskCachan’sadvice，andseethatIamstraight。Youdidrightwelltocomeover。

Forewarnedisforearmed。”

AftertwohoursofargumentEvewasfaintogo，defeatedbytheunanswerabledictum，“Womenneverunderstandbusiness。”Shehadcomewithafainthope，shewentbackagainalmostheartbroken，andreachedhomejustintimetoreceivenoticeofjudgment；SechardmustpayMetivierinfull。Theappearanceofabailiffatahousedoorisaneventinacountrytown，andDoublonhadcomefartoooftenoflate。

ThewholeneighborhoodwastalkingabouttheSechards。Evedarednotleaveherhouse；shedreadedtohearthewhispersasshepassed。

“Oh！mybrother，mybrother！“criedpoorEve，asshehurriedintothepassageandupthestairs，“Icanneverforgiveyou，unlessitwas——“

“Alas！itwasthat，orsuicide。”saidDavid，whohadfollowedher。

“Letussaynomoreaboutit。”shesaidquietly。“ThewomanwhodraggedhimdownintothedepthsofParishasmuchtoanswerfor；andyourfather，myDavid，isquiteinexorable！Letusbearitinsilence。”

AdiscreetrappingatthedoorcutshortsomewordofloveonDavid’slips。Marionappeared，towingthebig，burlyKolbafterheracrosstheouterroom。

“Madame。”saidMarion，“wehaveknown，KolbandI，thatyouandthemasterwereverymuchputabout；andaswehaveelevenhundredfrancsofsavingsbetweenus，wethoughtwecouldnotdobetterthanputtheminthemistress’hands——“

“Diemisdress。”echoedKolbfervently。

“Kolb。”criedDavid，“youandIwillneverpart。PayathousandfrancsonaccounttoMaitreCachan，andtakeareceiptforit；wewillkeeptherest。And，Kolb，nopoweronearthmustextractawordfromyouastomywork，ormyabsencesfromhome，orthethingsyoumayseemebringback；andifIsendyoutolookforplantsforme，youknow，nohumanbeingmustseteyesonyou。Theywilltrytocorruptyou，mygoodKolb；theywillofferyouthousands，perhapstensofthousandsoffrancs，totell——“

“Deymayoffermemillions。”criedKolb，“butnoteinvortfrommeshalldeytraw。HafInotpeeninderarmy，andknowmyorders？“

“Well，youarewarned。March，andaskM。Petit-Claudtogowithyouaswitness。”

“Yes。”saidtheAlsacien。“SometayIhopetoberichenoughtodustderchacketofdatmanoflaw。Idon’tlikehisgountenance。”

“Kolbisagoodman，madame。”saidBigMarion；“heisasstrongasaTurk，andasmeekasalamb。Justtheonethatwouldmakeawomanhappy。Itwashisnotion，too，toinvestoursavingsthisway——

’safings，’ashecallsthem。Poorman，ifhedoesn’tspeakright，hethinksright，andIunderstandhimallthesame。Hehasanotionofworkingforsomebodyelse，soastosaveushiskeep——“

“Surelyweshallberich，ifitisonlytorepaythesegoodfolk。”

saidDavid，lookingathiswife。

Evethoughtitquitesimple；itwasnosurprisetohertofindothernaturesonalevelwithherown。Thedullest——nay，themostindifferent——observercouldhaveseenallthebeautyofhernatureinherwayofreceivingthisservice。

“Youwillberichsomeday，dearmaster。”saidMarion；“yourbreadisreadybaked。Yourfatherhasjustboughtanotherfarm，heisputtingbymoneyforyou；thatheis。”

Andunderthecircumstances，didnotMarionshowanexquisitedelicacyoffeelingbybelittling，asitwere，herkindnessinthisway？

Frenchprocedure，likeallthingshuman，hasitsdefects；

nevertheless，theswordofjustice，beingatwo-edgedweapon，isexcellentlyadaptedalikeforattackordefence。Procedure，moreover，hasitsamusingside；forwhenopposed，lawyersarriveatanunderstanding，astheywellmaydo，withoutexchangingaword；throughtheirmannerofconductingtheircase，asuitbecomesakindofwarwagedonthelineslaiddownbythefirstMarshalBiron，who，atthesiegeofRouen，itmayberemembered，receivedhisson’sprojectfortakingthecityintwodayswiththeremark，“Youmustbeinagreathurrytogoandplantcabbages！“Lettwocommanders-in-chiefsparetheirtroopsasmuchaspossible，letthemimitatetheAustriangeneralswhogivethementimetoeattheirsoupthoughtheyfailtoeffectajuncture，andescapereprimandfromtheAulicCouncil；letthemavoidalldecisivemeasures，andtheyshallcarryonawarforever。MaitreCachan，Petit-Claud，andDoublon，didbetterthantheAustriangenerals；theytookfortheirexampleQuintusFabiusCunctator——theAustrianofantiquity。

Petit-Claud，malignantasamule，wasnotlonginfindingoutalltheadvantagesofhisposition。NosoonerhadBonifaceCointetguaranteedhiscoststhanhevowedtoleadCachanadance，andtodazzlethepapermanufacturerwithabrilliantdisplayofgeniusinthecreationofitemstobechargedtoMetivier。UnluckilyforthefameoftheyoungforensicFigaro，thewriterofthishistoryisobligedtopassoverthesceneofhisexploitsinasgreatahurryasifhetrodonburningcoals；butasinglebillofcosts，intheshapeofthespecimensentfromParis，willnodoubtsufficeforthestudentofcontemporarymanners。LetusfollowtheexamplesetusbytheBulletinsoftheGrandeArmee，andgiveasummaryofPetit-Claud’svaliantfeatsandexploitsintheprovinceofpurelaw；theywillbethebetterappreciatedforconcisetreatment。

DavidSechardwassummonedbeforetheTribunalofCommerceatAngoulemeforthe3rdofJuly，madedefault，andnoticeofjudgmentwasservedonthe8th。Onthe10th，Doublonobtainedanexecutionwarrant，andattemptedtoputinanexecutiononthe12th。OnthisPetit-Claudappliedforaninterpleadersummons，andservednoticeonMetivierforthatdayfortnight。Metiviermadeapplicationforahearingwithoutdelay，andonthe19th，Sechard’sapplicationwasdismissed。Harduponthisfollowednoticeofjudgment，authorizingtheissueofanexecutionwarrantonthe22nd，awarrantofarrestonthe23rd，andbailiff’sinventoryprevioustotheexecutiononthe24th。

Metivier，Doublon，Cachan&Companywereproceedingatthisfuriouspace，whenPetit-Claudsuddenlypulledthemup，andstayedexecutionbylodgingnoticeofappealontheCourt-Royal。Noticeofappeal，dulyreiteratedonthe25thofJuly，drewMetivierofftoPoitiers。

“Come！“saidPetit-Claudtohimself，“therewearelikelytostopforsometimetocome。”

NosoonerwasthestormpassedovertoPoitiers，andanattorneypractisingintheCourt-Royalinstructedtodefendthecase，thanPetit-Claud，achampionfacingbothways，madeapplicationinMme。

Sechard’snamefortheimmediateseparationofherestatefromherhusband’s；using“alldiligence“(inlegallanguage)tosuchpurpose，thatheobtainedanorderfromthecourtonthe28th，andinsertednoticeatonceintheCharenteCourier。NowDavidtheloverhadsettledtenthousandfrancsuponhiswifeinthemarriagecontract，makingovertoherassecuritythefixturesoftheprintingofficeandthehouseholdfurniture；andPetit-ClaudthereforeconstitutedMme。

Sechardherhusband’screditorforthatsmallamount，drawingupastatementofherclaimsontheestateinthepresenceofanotaryonthe1stofAugust。

WhilePetit-Claudwasbusysecuringthehouseholdpropertyofhisclients，hegainedthedayatPoitiersonthepointoflawonwhichthedemurrerandappealswerebased。Heheldthat，asthecourtoftheSeinehadorderedtheplaintifftopaycostsofproceedingsinthePariscommercialcourt，DavidwassomuchthelessliableforexpensesoflitigationincurreduponLucien’saccount。TheCourt-Royaltookthisviewofthecase，andjudgmentwasenteredaccordingly。DavidSechardwasorderedtopaytheamountindisputeintheAngoulemeCourt，lessthelawexpensesincurredinParis；theseMetiviermustpay，andeachsidemustbearitsowncostsintheappealtotheCourt-

Royal。

DavidSechardwasdulynotifiedoftheresultonthe17thofAugust。

Onthe18ththejudgmenttookthepracticalshapeofanordertopaycapital，interest，andcosts，followedupbynoticeofanexecutionforthemorrow。UponthisPetit-Claudintervenedandputinaclaimforthefurnitureasthewife’spropertydulyseparatedfromherhusband’s；andwhatwasmore，Petit-ClaudproducedSechardsenioruponthesceneofaction。Theoldvinegrowerhadbecomehisclientonthiswise。HecametoAngoulemeonthedayafterEve’svisit，andwenttoMaitreCachanforadvice。Hissonowedhimarrearsofrent；howcouldhecomebythisrentinthescrimmageinwhichhissonwasengaged？

“Iamengagedbytheotherside。”pronouncedCachan，“andIcannotappearforthefatherwhenIamsuingtheson；butgotoPetit-Claud，heisveryclever，hemayperhapsdoevenbetterforyouthanIshoulddo。”

CachanandPetit-ClaudmetattheCourt。

“IhavesentyouSechardsenior。”saidCachan；“takethecaseformeinexchange。”LawyersdoeachotherservicesofthiskindincountrytownsaswellasinParis。

ThedayafterSechardseniorgavePetit-Claudhisconfidence，thetallCointetpaidavisittohisconfederate。

“TrytogiveoldSechardalesson。”hesaid。“Heisthekindofmanthatwillneverforgivehissonforcostinghimathousandfrancsorso；theoutlaywilldryupanygenerousthoughtsinhismind，ifheeverhasany。”

“Gobacktoyourvines。”saidPetit-Claudtohisnewclient。“Yoursonisnotverywelloff；donoteathimoutofhouseandhome。Iwillsendforyouwhenthetimecomes。”

OnbehalfofSechardsenior，therefore，Petit-Claudclaimedthatthepresses，beingfixtures，weresomuchthemoretoberegardedastoolsandimplementsoftrade，andthelessliabletoseizure，inthatthehousehadbeenaprintingofficesincethereignofLouisXIV。Cachan，onMetivier’saccount，waxedindignantatthis。InParisLucien’sfurniturehadbelongedtoCoralie，andhereagaininAngoulemeDavid’sgoodsandchattelsallbelongedtohiswifeorhisfather；prettythingsweresaidincourt。Fatherandsonweresummoned；suchclaimscouldnotbeallowedtostand。

“Wemeantounmaskthefraudsintrenchedbehindbadfaithofthemostformidablekind；hereisthedefenceofdishonestybristlingwiththeplainestandmostinnocentarticlesoftheCode，andwhy？——toavoidrepaymentofthreethousandfrancs；obtainedhow？——frompoorMetivier’scashbox！Andyettherearethosewhodaretosayawordagainstbill-discounters！Whattimeswelivein！……Now，Iputittoyou——whatisthisbuttakingyourneighbor’smoney？……Youwillsurelynotsanctionaclaimwhichwouldbringimmoralitytotheverycoreofjustice！“

Cachan’seloquenceproducedaneffectonthecourt。AdividedjudgmentwasgiveninfavorofMme。Sechard，thehousefurniturebeingheldtobeherproperty；andagainstSechardsenior，whowasorderedtopaycosts——fourhundredandthirty-fourfrancs，sixty-fivecentimes。

“ItiskindofoldSechard。”laughedthelawyers；“hewouldhaveafingerinthepie，solethimpay！“

Noticeofjudgmentwasgivenonthe26thofAugust；thepressesandplantcouldbeseizedonthe28th。Placardswereposted。Applicationwasmadeforanorderempoweringthemtosellonthespot。

Announcementsofthesaleappearedinthepapers，andDoublonflatteredhimselfthattheinventoryshouldbeverifiedandtheauctiontakeplaceonthe2ndofSeptember。

BythistimeDavidSechardowedMetivierfivethousandtwohundredandseventy-fivefrancs，twenty-fivecentimes(tosaynothingofinterest)，byformaljudgmentconfirmedbyappeal，thebillofcostshavingbeendulytaxed。LikewisetoPetit-Claudheowedtwelvehundredfrancs，exclusiveofthefees，whichwerelefttoDavid’sgenerositywiththegenerousconfidencedisplayedbythehackneycoachmanwhohasdrivenyousoquicklyovertheroadonwhichyoudesiretogo。

Mme。SechardowedPetit-Claudsomethinglikethreehundredandfiftyfrancsandfeesbesides；andofoldSechard，besidesfourhundredandthirty-fourfrancs，sixty-fivecentimes，thelittleattorneydemandedahundredcrownsbywayoffee。Altogether，theSechardfamilyowedabouttenthousandfrancs。Thisiswhatiscalled“puttingfireintothebedstraw。”

ApartfromtheutilityofthesedocumentstoothernationswhothusmaybeholdthebatteryofFrenchlawinaction，theFrenchlegislatoroughttoknowthelengthstowhichtheabuseofproceduremaybecarried，alwayssupposingthatthesaidlegislatorcanfindtimeforreading。Surelysomesortofregulationmightbedevised，somewayofforbiddinglawyerstocarryonacaseuntilthesumindisputeismorethaneatenupincosts？Istherenotsomethingludicrousintheideaofsubmittingasquareyardofsoilandanestateofthousandsofacrestothesamelegalformalities？ThesebareoutlinesofthehistoryofthevariousstagesofprocedureshouldopentheeyesofFrenchmentothemeaningofthewords“legalformalities，justice，andcosts。”littleastheimmensemajorityofthenationsknowaboutthem。

Fivethousandpounds’weightoftypeintheprintingofficewereworthtwothousandfrancsasoldmetal；thethreepresseswerevaluedatsixhundredfrancs；therestoftheplantwouldfetchthepriceofoldironandfirewood。Thehouseholdfurniturewouldhavebroughtinathousandfrancsatmost。ThewholepersonalpropertyofSechardjuniorthereforerepresentedthesumoffourthousandfrancs；andCachanandPetit-Claudmadeclaimsforseventhousandfrancsincostsalreadyincurred，tosaynothingofexpensestocome，fortheblossomgavepromiseoffinefruitsenough，asthereaderwillshortlysee。SurelythelawyersofFranceandNavarre，nay，evenofNormandyherself，willnotrefusePetit-Claudhismeedofadmirationandrespect？Surely，too，kindheartswillgiveMarionandKolbatearofsympathy？

AllthroughthewarKolbsatonachairinthedoorway，actingaswatch-dog，whenDavidhadnothingelseforhimtodo。ItwasKolbwhoreceivedallthenotifications，andaclerkofPetit-Claud’skeptwatchoverKolb。NosoonerweretheplacardsannouncingtheauctionputuponthepremisesthanKolbtorethemdown；hehurriedroundthetownafterthebill-poster，tearingtheplacardsfromthewalls。

“Ah，scountrels！“hecried，“todormentsogootaman；andtheycallsitchustice！“

Marionmadehalfafrancadaybyworkinghalftimeinapapermillasamachinetender，andherwagescontributedtothesupportofthehousehold。Mme。Chardonwentbackuncomplaininglytoheroldoccupation，sittingupnightafternight，andbringinghomeherwagesattheendoftheweek。PoorMme。Chardon！Twicealreadyshehadmadeaninedays’prayerforthosesheloved，wonderingthatGodshouldbedeaftoherpetitions，andblindtothelightofthecandlesonHisaltar。

Onthe2ndofSeptember，alettercamefromLucien，thefirstsincetheletterofthewinter，whichDavidhadkeptfromhiswife’sknowledge——theannouncementofthethreebillswhichboreDavid’ssignature。ThistimeLucienwrotetoEve。

“Thethirdsinceheleftus！“shesaid。Poorsister，shewasafraidtoopentheenvelopethatcoveredthefatalsheet。

Shewasfeedingthelittleonewhenthepostcamein；theycouldnotaffordawet-nursenow，andthechildwasbeingbroughtupbyhand。

Herstateofmindmaybeimagined，andDavid’salso，whenhehadbeenrousedtoreadtheletter，forDavidhadbeenatworkallnight，andonlylaydownatdaybreak。

LucientoEve。

“PARIS，August29th。

“MYDEARSISTER，——Twodaysago，atfiveo’clockinthemorning，oneofGod’snoblestcreaturesbreathedherlastinmyarms；shewastheonewomanonearthcapableoflovingmeasyouandmotherandDavidloveme，givingmebesidesthatunselfishaffection，somethingthatneithermothernorsistercangive——theutmostblissoflove。PoorCoralie，aftergivingupeverythingformysake，mayperhapshavediedforme——forme，whoatthismomenthavenotthewherewithaltoburyher。Shecouldhavesolacedmylife；you，andyoualone，mydeargoodangels，canconsolemeforherdeath。Godhasforgivenher，Ithink，theinnocentgirl，forshediedlikeaChristian。Oh，thisParis！Eve，ParisisthegloryandtheshameofFrance。ManyillusionsIhavelostherealready，andIhaveothersyettolose，whenIbegintobegforthelittlemoneyneededbeforeIcanlaythebodyofmyangelinconsecratedearth。

“Yourunhappybrother，“Lucien。”

“P。S。Imusthavegivenyoumuchtroublebymyheedlessness；somedayyouwillknowall，andyouwillforgiveme。Youmustbequiteeasynow；aworthymerchant，aM。Camusot，towhomIoncecausedcruelpangs，promisedtoarrangeeverything，seeingthatCoralieandIweresomuchdistressed。”

“Thesheetisstillmoistwithhistears。”saidEve，lookingattheletterwithaheartsofullofsympathythatsomethingoftheoldloveforLucienshoneinhereyes。

“Poorfellow，hemusthavesufferedcruellyifhehasbeenlovedashesays！“exclaimedEve’shusband，happyinhislove；andthesetwoforgotalltheirowntroublesatthiscryofasupremesorrow。JustatthatmomentMarionrushedin。

“Madame。”shepanted，“heretheyare！Heretheyare！“

“Whoishere？“

“Doublonandhismen，badlucktothem！Kolbwillnotletthemcomein；theyhavecometosellusup。”

“No，no，theyarenotgoingtosellyouup，neverfear。”criedavoiceinthenextroom，andPetit-Claudappeareduponthescene。“Ihavejustlodgednoticeofappeal。Weoughtnottositdownunderajudgmentthatattachesastigmaofbadfaithtous。Ididnotthinkitworthwhiletofightthecasehere。IletCachantalktogaintimeforyou；IamsureofgainingthedayatPoitiers——“

“Buthowmuchwillitcosttowintheday？“askedMme。Sechard。

“Feesifyouwin，onethousandfrancsifweloseourcase。”

“Oh，dear！“criedpoorEve；“why，theremedyisworsethanthedisease！“

Petit-Claudwasnotalittleconfusedatthiscryofinnocenceenlightenedbytheprogressoftheflamesoflitigation。ItstruckhimtoothatEvewasaverybeautifulwoman。InthemiddleofthediscussionoldSechardarrived，summonedbyPetit-Claud。Theoldman’spresenceinthechamberwherehislittlegrandsoninthecradlelaysmilingatmisfortunecompletedthescene。Theyoungattorneyatonceaddressedthenewcomerwith：

“Youowemesevenhundredfrancsfortheinterpleader，PapaSechard；

butyoucanchargetheamounttoyoursoninadditiontothearrearsofrent。”

ThevinedresserfeltthestingofthesarcasmconveyedbyPetit-

Claud’stoneandmanner。

“Itwouldhavecostyoulesstogivesecurityforthedebtatfirst。”

saidEve，leavingthecradletogreetherfather-in-lawwithakiss。

David，quiteovercomebythesightofthecrowdoutsidethehouse(forKolb’sresistancetoDoublon’smenhadcollectedaknotofpeople)，couldonlyholdoutahandtohisfather；hedidnotsayaword。

“Andhow，pray，doIcometooweyousevenhundredfrancs？“theoldmanasked，lookingatPetit-Claud。

“Why，inthefirstplace，Iamengagedbyyou。Yourrentisinquestion；so，asfarasIamconcerned，youandourdebtorareoneandthesameperson。Ifyoursondoesnotpaymycostsinthecase，youmustpaythemyourself——Butthisisnothing。InafewhoursDavidwillbeputinprison；willyouallowhimtogo？“

“Whatdoesheowe？“

“Somethinglikefiveorsixthousandfrancs，besidestheamountsowingtoyouandtohiswife。”

Thespeechrousedalltheoldman’ssuspicionsatonce。Helookedroundthelittleblue-and-whitebedroomatthetouchingscenebeforehiseyes——atabeautifulwomanweepingoveracradle，atDavidboweddownbyanxieties，andthenagainatthelawyer。Thiswasatrapsetforhimbythatlawyer；perhapstheywantedtoworkuponhispaternalfeelings，togetmoneyoutofhim？Thatwaswhatitallmeant。Hetookalarm。Hewentovertothecradleandfondledthechild，whoheldoutbothlittlearmstohim。NoheirtoanEnglishpeeragecouldbemoretenderlycaredforthanthislittleoneinthathouseoftrouble；hislittleembroideredcapwaslinedwithpalepink。

“Eh！letDavidgetoutofitasbesthemay。Iamthinkingofthischildhere。”criedtheoldgrandfather，“andthechild’smotherwillapproveofthat。Davidthatknowssomuchmustknowhowtopayhisdebts。”

“NowIwilljustputyourmeaningintoplainlanguage。”saidPetit-

Claudironically。“Lookhere，PapaSechard，youarejealousofyourson。Hearthetruth！youputDavidintohispresentpositionbysellingthebusinesstohimforthreetimesitsvalue。Youruinedhimtomakeanextortionatebargain！Yes，don’tyoushakeyourhead；yousoldthenewspapertotheCointetsandpocketedalltheproceeds，andthatwasasmuchasthewholebusinesswasworth。YoubearDavidagrudge，notmerelybecauseyouhaveplunderedhim，butbecause，also，yourownsonisamanfaraboveyourself。Youprofesstobeprodigiouslyfondofyourgrandson，tocloakyourwantoffeelingforyoursonandhiswife，becauseyououghttopaydownmoneyhicetnuncforthem，whileyouneedonlyshowaposthumousaffectionforyourgrandson。Youpretendtobefondofthelittlefellow，lestyoushouldbetaxedwithwantoffeelingforyourownfleshandblood。Thatisthebottomofit，PapaSechard。”

“Didyoufetchmeovertohearthis？“askedtheoldman，gloweringathislawyer，hisdaughter-in-law，andhissoninturn。

“Monsieur！“protestedpoorEve，turningtoPetit-Claud，“haveyouvowedtoruinus？Myhusbandhadneverutteredawordagainsthisfather。”(Heretheoldmanlookedcunninglyather。)“Davidhastoldmescoresoftimesthatyoulovedhiminyourway。”sheadded，lookingatherfather-in-law，andunderstandinghissuspicions。

Petit-ClaudwasonlyfollowingoutthetallCointet’sinstructions。Hewaswideningthebreachbetweenthefatherandson，lestSechardseniorshouldextricateDavidfromhisintolerableposition。“ThedaythatDavidSechardgoestoprisonshallbethedayofyourintroductiontoMme。deSenonches。”the“tallCointet“hadsaidnolongeragothanyesterday。

Mme。Sechard，withthequickinsightoflove，haddivinedPetit-

Claud’smercenaryhostility，evenasshehadoncebeforefeltinstinctivelythatCerizetwasatraitor。AsforDavid，hisastonishmentmaybeimagined；hecouldnotunderstandhowPetit-Claudcametoknowsomuchofhisfather’snatureandhisownhistory。

Uprightandhonorableashewas，hedidnotdreamoftherelationsbetweenhislawyerandtheCointets；nor，forthatmatter，didheknowthattheCointetswereatworkbehindMetivier。MeanwhileoldSechardtookhisson’ssilenceasaninsult，andPetit-Claud，takingadvantageofhisclient’sbewilderment，beataretreat。

“Good-bye，mydearDavid；youhavehadwarning，noticeofappealdoesn’tinvalidatethewarrantforarrest。Itistheonlycourseleftopentoyourcreditors，anditwillnotbelongbeforetheytakeit。

So，goawayatonce——Or，rather，ifyouwilltakemyadvice，gototheCointetsandseethemaboutit。Theyhavecapital。Ifyourinventionisperfectedandanswersthepurpose，gointopartnershipwiththem。Afterall，theyareverygoodfellows——“

“Yourinvention？“brokeinoldSechard。

“Why，doyousupposethatyoursonisfoolenoughtolethisbusinessslipawayfromhimwithoutthinkingofsomethingelse？“exclaimedtheattorney。“Heisonthebrinkofthediscoveryofawayofmakingpaperatacostofthreefrancsperream，insteadoften，hetellsme。”

“Onemoredodgefortakingmein！Youareallasthickasthievesinafair。IfDavidhasfoundoutsuchaplan，hehasnoneedofme——heisamillionaire！Good-bye，mydears，andagood-daytoyouall。”andtheoldmandisappeareddownthestaircase。

“Findsomewayofhidingyourself。”wasPetit-Claud’spartingwordtoDavid，andwiththathehurriedouttoexasperateoldSechardstillfurther。HefoundthevinegrowergrowlingtohimselfoutsideinthePlaceduMurier，wentwithhimasfarasL’Houmeau，andtherelefthimwithathreatofputtinginanexecutionforthecostsduetohimunlesstheywerepaidbeforetheweekwasout。