llowed any to escape in other
directions.

Veronique gave Farrabesche a horse, and directed him to accompany the
engineer and to explain to him everything he had himself noticed. After
several days' careful exploration, Gerard found that the base of the two
parallel slopes was sufficiently solid, though different in composition,
to hold the water, allowing none to escape. During the month of January,
which was rainy, he estimated the quantity of water flowing through the
Gabou. This quantity, added to that of three streams which could easily
be led into it, would supply water enough to irrigate a tract of land
three times as extensive as the plain of Montegnac. The damming of the
Gabou and the works necessary to direct the water of the three valleys
to the plain, ought not to cost more than sixty thousand francs; for the
engineer discovered on the commons a quantity of calcareous soil which
would furnish the lime cheaply, the forest was close at hand, the wood
and stone cost nothing, and the transportation was trifling. While
awaiting the season when the Gabou would be dry (the only time suitable
for the work) all the necessary preparations could be made so as to push
the enterprise through rapidly when it was once begun.

But the preparation of the plain was another thing; that according to
Gerard, would cost not less than two hundred thousand francs, without
including the sowing and planting. The plain was to be divided into
square compartments of two hundred and fifty acres each, where the
ground had to be cleared, not only of its stunted growths, but of rocks.
Laborers would have to dig innumerable trenches, and stone them up so as
to let no water run to waste, also to direct its flow at will. This part
of the enterprise needed the active and faithful arms of conscientious
workers. Chance provided them with a tract of land without natural
obstacles, a long even stretch of plain, where the waters, having a fall
of ten feet, could be distributed at will. Nothing hindered the finest
agricultural results, while at the same time, the eye would be gratified
by one of those magnificent sheets of verdure which are the pride and
the wealth of Lombardy. Gerard sent for an old and experienced foreman,
who had already been employed by him elsewhere in this capacity, named
Fresquin.

Madame Graslin wrote to Grossetete, requesting him to negotiate for her
a loan of two hundred and fifty thousand francs, secured on her income
f