The Surprises of Life

s a former court notary who without great difficulty was allowed to drop out of the profession, and a retired sergeant of police who keeps the tobacconist's shop. Around these

expresses the elation of the conqueror who in this infinite universe has se

at their admiration, their esteem, their respect, go out automatically to wealth is a trait they share with city people, which spares us the necessit

in was not calculated to attract to its mistress the admiring attention of her fellow townsmen. The interior of the dwelling was extremely modest. A large oaken bedstead with carved posts, a common deal dining table, a few rush-bottomed chairs and Miss Rosalie's armchair, were all the fur

ppeared, Miss Rosalie would call Victorine. The servant would come, help her mistress to rise, as she did slowly and stiffly, move the armchair, settle the old woman in it again, propping her with

were busy with the housework, she sometimes obliged a caller to wait. Which gave Miss Rosali

a florid, smooth shaven face, and a head even smoother than his chin, always in a good humour, always full of amusing stories, yet concealing under his idle tales and his laughter a professional man's concern

ater them, chatting with her the while. The old lady during this would be seated in the garden, near a spot where a deep niche in the wall had made it possible to cut a loophole co

e Rigal became "Aunt Rosalie" to Monsieur Loiseau, and as the relationship was one which anybody might claim, Miss Rosalie soon found herself "Aunt" to the entire village. She duly appreciated the honour of this large connection, and with pride in the u

y cart, often facilitated the journey, and although Aunt Rosalie was not in the least devout, despite the saintly pictures on her walls, the lo

tion which drew all St. Martin-en-Pareds to Aunt Rosalie's feet must here be explained. The simple-minded old spinster supposed it the most natural thing in the world; she fancied her amiable qualities sufficient to engage the b

ous Jean Bretaud, whose lucky speculations had made him the most important man in the district. The Bretauds had entirely forgo

ance all around to make sure that no one could spy on her in the mysterious elaborations of the work under way. At these words, Victorine, with sudden gravity, would extract from the wardrobe a little flat box

over what catastrophes would have to occur in the Bretaud family before the millions could fall into Aunt Rosalie's purse. A considerable number of combinations were conceivable, and it was to the examination of them

ar had we got?" s

th of your grand niece Eul

greatly. There are still two cousins left who would have claims prior to mi

ere was an epidemic of scarlet

! A

so often. A railway accid

is a matter o

hour, warming up to it, comparing the advantag

e a very hecatomb of Bretauds, such as the eruption of Vesuvius which blotted out Pompeii would not more than have sufficed to bring about. Herself on the edge of the grave, this septuagenarian built up her future on t

her and fatter sum. Change the order, and there would be a new combination. They assessed fortunes, and if they did not agree in their valuations, they split the difference. But whatever happened, the discussion always ended b

es fallen to them from Heaven the delightful embarrassment of human creatures provided with the chance to be a shining example of all the virtues at very small cost to themselves. Victorine had never cared to receive her wages,

the other for "investments." Both presented an inextricable tangle of figures

100,000 francs to the hospital at La

"I meant to speak of it; 100,000 for

re right. Let

iss, 2

. I do not wish to dist

the C

s, the

God His share, Miss, afte

eek I shall add som

ne. The results were duly consigned to the secret accoun

ropped. He advises me to buy Northern. He says that Northern mean

ing! You must do as he says. Me, I d

Western shares. As for the dividends, th

oes tha

way of making

t th

ur Loiseau to-morrow, and perhaps also with the good curé who is very well inform

ré with questions about her investments, and th

eave any of them a penny's worth of her property," the curé began pleading for the Church, for the Pope, and for his charities. His efforts were amply rewarded, for Aunt Rosalie, though not perhaps satisfying all his demands, gene

cately that he would be glad of a "remembrance" from his old friend. How could

Loiseau," said Aunt Rosalie, with a kind smile.

hing in her will to the sum she intended for the good notary. Whereupon he would exert himsel

ing to her "friends." Who could withstand such generous affection as was exhibited toward her? Following the example of the notary, all St. Martin had by the claim of friendship become relatives. And visits were paid her, and good wishes expressed, ac

for the future. Nothing did so much to rivet her in the public esteem. Her reputat

e inheritance which had not come, but which could not have failed to come eventually, if only the old Aunt had continued to live. When the dead woman was cold, Victorine, who was alone with her i

flame caught her petticoats. The wretched creature

paper covered with figures fluttering about the room exposed Victorine's crime, which had been followed by punishment so swift. When the official se

uds," had made everything disappear. Wrath ran high. Th

ng maledictions upon the "thief." "The Bretauds will

ly. "So rich, so kindly disposed toward us!

on with a beautiful white marble grave stone, while the charred remains of Victori

he world'