Page:Novels of Honoré de Balzac Volume 23.djvu/151

 adviser, I will propose other investments in land for the surplus of the capital, and I have some excellent ones in my office. Once his fortune is placed in landed estates or in trust mortgages in the country, it will not easily fly away. One can always cause difficulties to arise between the wish to realize and the realization.”

The heirs, struck by the truth of this argument, much more skilful than that of Monsieur Josse, murmured approvingly.

“You must all act together,” said the notary in conclusion, “so as to keep your uncle in Nemours, to which he is accustomed, and where you can watch him. By providing a lover for the little one, you prevent the marriage—”

“But suppose the marriage took place?” said Goupil, seized with an ambitious idea.

“Even that would not be so bad, for the loss would be enumerated, and one would know what the old man wishes to give her,” replied the notary. “But if you let Désiré loose upon her, he can dawdle on with the little one until the old man’s death. Marriages are made and unmade.”

“The shortest way,” said Goupil, “if the doctor is still going to live any length of time, would be to marry her to some good fellow, who would free you of her by settling with her at Sens, Montargis or Orléans, with a hundred thousand francs.”

Dionis, Massin, Zélie and Goupil, the only clever heads in this assembly, exchanged four glances full of ideas.