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 friends, to give such a one some good advice. If justice could not always punish, she would end by knowing all and would keep good account. Minoret had reached a great goal. Henceforth indisputable proprietor of the Château du Rouvre, one of the finest in Le Gâtinais, he combined an income of forty odd thousand francs, with beautiful and rich estates around the park. The colossus could defy Goupil. In fact, he expected to live in the country, where the recollection of Ursule would not trouble him any more.

“My boy,” he said to Goupil as he was walking up and down the terrace, “leave my cousin in peace!”

“Bah!” said the clerk, unable to make anything of this odd behavior, for stupidity also has its depths.

“Oh! I am not ungrateful; you got me this fine château of brick and cut stone for two hundred and eighty thousand francs such as nowadays could not be built for two hundred thousand crowns, the château farm, the preserves, the park, the gardens and woods—Well, then—yes, upon my word! I will give you ten per cent, twenty thousand francs, with which you can buy an attorney’s practice in Nemours. I guarantee your marriage with one of the little Crémières, the eldest.”

“The one who talks of the cornopean?” cried Goupil.

“But my cousin will give her thirty thousand francs,” returned Minoret, “you see, my boy, you