Page:Novels of Honoré de Balzac Volume 23.djvu/221

 Messieurs Bongrand and Levrault, the mayor, the witnesses required by law for the validity of deeds drawn up in parishes where there is only one notary. Minoret took Monsieur Dionis aside and whispered a word in his ear, after which the notary read out the acknowledgment; in it Madame de Portenduère was to give a mortgage on all her property to the extent of repaying the hundred thousand francs the doctor had lent the viscount, and the interest was stipulated at five per cent. At the reading of this clause, the curé looked at Minoret, who answered the abbé by a slight nod of approval. The poor priest went to whisper a few words to his penitent, to which she replied, half-aloud:

“I will not be under any obligation to those people.”

“My mother, monsieur, leaves me the best part,” said Savinien to the doctor, “she will return you all the money, and entrusts the gratitude to me.”

“But you will have to find eleven thousand francs the first year, on account of the costs of the deed,” rejoined the curé.

“Monsieur,” said Minoret to Dionis, “as Monsieur and Madame de Portenduère are unable to pay the registration, add the costs of the deed to the capital, I will pay them.”

Dionis made some references, and the capital was then fixed at one hundred and seven thousand francs. When all was signed, Minoret pleaded fatigue as an excuse for retiring at the same time as the notary and the witnesses.