The Lesser Bourgeoisie

eart was full. The words of the countess, the ingenious preparation she had made to put him on the t

very gait, and sometimes in actions not authorized by their common-sense, after pausing a moment, as we h

but, above all, I can now give myself the joy of vengeance. Af

he turned and ran out; the popular saying that the earth

ee Thuillier in the bitterest and most hostile of moods. What was therefore his amazement when, before he had tim

ne is made; this morning all the newspapers, without exception, have spoken of the seizure

e a topic for them, that's all. But this does not alter the situation;

ng his head, "I will go to prison, like Ber

stance; but when you hear the big bolts run upon

re always allowed to do their time in hospital if they like. Besides, I'

t very doubtful; the same hand that withheld your cross has se

nemy is," said Thuillier, "you ca

e; "I only suspect him. This is what

he curiosity of a man who is perfectly aware th

loods to your salon. All the world has not the forbearance of Monsieur Godescha

" said Thuillier, "for I

for Mademoiselle Colleville? Godeschal, Minard junior, Phellion junior, Olivier Vin

n't be truly said that we sent him about his business,-to use your expression, which strikes me as indecorous,-for he never came to the house but once, and made no offer; neither

a ground of quarrel. "Straightforward and outspoken pe

tle everything with Brigitte the other day? You take a pretty time to come and talk

position of accused person! I knew very well how it would be; I was certain that as soon as

u are a fine fellow to boast of that when, on the cont

have just said your pol

r have thought that you would choose the hour of adversity to come and put yo

nging yourself into my arms as a man to whom some signal piece of luck had happened. You

hat public opinion decides in my favor, and by reading in its organs the most honorable assurances of sympathy; but do you suppose I wouldn't rather that things had taken their natural cour

ess persistency, "I see that you pr

ver a friendship I did think true and devoted, but which I f

han yesterday, that you would not accept my help under any form whatever? I of

can explain as well as you can the intention of the words you wrote with your own pen? Yesterday I was almost out of my

u formally request me to d

ould better place my case. I should have to pay a monstrous sum to

e man to defend you. To-day, I see that you had better take the legal luminary, because, with Vinet's antagoni

y, and he doesn't want to quarrel with a man who is already talked of for Keeper of t

and of Mademoiselle Colleville? I expected that demands would multiply in proportion to the proofs of my devotion. But that is the very thing that has worn me out, and I h

the more because at this moment entered Brigitte. The temper of the old maid had also greatly m

re, you good old b

our servant," he

huillier a small sheet printed on sugar-paper, in coarse type, and almost illegible,-"here's another, you didn't read; the porter has just brought it up. It is a paper from our old quarter, 'L'Echo de la Bievre.' I don't know,

ntion to a newspaper, except to know if it was the right size for the packages she wrapped up in it; but now, suddenly, converted to a worship of the press by the ardor o

tering to me. But here's another matter! Monsieur has come to tell me th

Well, poor fellow, I think that's a reasonable demand. When he has done that for us there ought to be no further delay;

tte's speech. "When I have pleaded, the marriage is to take place. Your

eping underground in matters. I say things as I think the

ing his foot; "you don't say a word th

d Brigitte, inquiringly. "Ah

ises; and the reason he gives is that we are asking him another serv

that we have not been ungrateful to him. Besides, it was he who made the bl

himself spoke of engaging some more important lawyer than myself, I have not the slightest scruple in refusing to defend him. Now, as to the marriage, in order that it may not be made the object of a

st permit me to tell you that the reason you give is not the true one. We can't go faster than the fiddles. If the marriage were settled to-day, there are the banns to pub

t will be I who have sent him to prison,-just as

f you had written nothing the polic

ide. It is not la Peyrade's fault if persons of high station have organized a persecution against me. You remember that little substitute, Monsieur Olivier Vinet

wasn't for the fine eyes of monsieur here? For, after

onchalantly. "Only, he did not

ick the notary you never would have come after us. You needn't think I have been altogether your dupe. You spoke just now of a bargain, but you proposed that bargain y

Thuillier, "you are making

itte. "Did we, or did we not, have

be embittered by discussing it further. My course was decided on before I came here; all that I have now

to leave

no longer to have interests in common, I should not be sorry if you would be so good as to tell me what has become of a sum of ten

t to be silent about that; I told it to you in a moment of ill-temper, and you p

up; they pay their debts. Ten thousand francs! For my part, I thought the cross itself dear at

who was pale with anger. "The affection she has for me blinds her; I know very well what gove

ly, that money, an accounting for which is so insolently demanded. Grant me a short delay; and

contrary, it is we who owe you; for Cardot told me I ought to give you at

th other people's money. We were giving monsieur Celeste

n he had just endured into a scene finale. With tears in his v

nest, you would acknowledge that you have been thinking of another husband for Celeste,-we might still remain friends, even though I renounce a marriage which my delicacy forbids me to pursue. But you have not chosen to restrain yourself with the limits of social politeness, of which you have a model beside you in Madame de Godollo, who, I am persuaded, although she is not at all friendly to me, would never have approved of your odious behavior. Thank Heaven! I have in my heart some reli

unketing! I've been poor too, my lad; I made bags for the money of others long before I had any money of my own; I have some now, and I take care of it. So, whenever you will, I am ready to r

a disdainful look upon her and left the room majestically. As he did so he noticed a movement made by Thuillier to fo