ason
that they have been hurled from a great height, they often fall down
into the lowest depths of infamy.

"If morning would only come," sighed M. Isidore Fortunat, as he tossed
restlessly to and fro. "As soon as morning comes I will set to work!"

But just before daybreak he fell asleep; and at nine o'clock he was
still slumbering so soundly that Madame Dodelin, his housekeeper, had
considerable difficulty in waking him. "Your clerks have come," she
exclaimed, shaking him vigorously; "and two clients are waiting for you
in the reception-room."

He sprang up, hastily dressed himself, and went into his office. It cost
him no little effort to receive his visitors that morning; but it would
have been folly to neglect all his other business for the uncertain
Chalusse affair. The first client who entered was a man still young, of
common, even vulgar appearance. Not being acquainted with M. Fortunat,
he deemed it proper to introduce himself without delay. "My name is
Leplaintre, and I am a coal merchant," said he. "I was recommended to
call on you by my friend Bouscat, who was formerly in the wine trade."

M. Fortunat bowed. "Pray be seated," was his reply. "I remember your
friend very well. If I am not mistaken I gave him some advice with
reference to his third failure."

"Precisely; and it is because I find myself in the same fix as Bouscat
that I have called on you. Business is very bad, and I have notes to a
large amount overdue, so that--"

"You will be obliged to go into bankruptcy."

"Alas! I fear so."

M. Fortunat already knew what his client desired, but it was against
his principles to meet these propositions more than half way. "Will you
state your case?" said he.

The coal merchant blushed. It was hard to confess the truth; but the
effort had to be made. "This is my case," he replied, at last. "Among
my creditors I have several enemies, who will refuse me a release. They
would like to deprive me of everything I possess. And in that case, what
would become of me? Is it right that I should be compelled to starve?"

"It is a bad outlook."

"It is, indeed, monsieur; and for this reason, I desire--if possible, if
I can do so without danger--for I am an honest man, monsieur--I wish to
retain a little property--secretly, of course, not for myself, by any
means, but I have a young wife and----"

M. Fortunat took compassion on the man's embarrassment. "In short,"
he interrupted, "you wish to conceal a part