il-dealer, "that's nothing to do with me; Eugene
will see to that. He will get the money advanced by a banker in Paris.
You see, I selected an appointment bringing in a good income. Eugene at
first made a wry face, saying one must be rich to occupy such posts, to
which influential men were usually nominated. I persisted, however, and
he yielded. To be a receiver of taxes one need not know either Greek
or Latin. I shall have a representative, like Monsieur Peirotte, and he
will do all the work."

Felicite listened to him with rapture.

"I guessed, however," he continued, "what it was that worried our dear
son. We're not much liked here. People know that we have no means, and
will make themselves obnoxious. But all sorts of things occur in a
time of crisis. Eugene wished to get me an appointment in another town.
However, I objected; I want to remain at Plassans."

"Yes, yes, we must remain here," the old woman quickly replied. "We have
suffered here, and here we must triumph. Ah! I'll crush them all, those
fine ladies on the Mail, who scornfully eye my woollen dresses! I didn't
think of the appointment of receiver of taxes at all; I thought you
wanted to become mayor."

"Mayor! Nonsense. That appointment is honorary. Eugene also mentioned
the mayoralty to me. I replied: 'I'll accept, if you give me an income
of fifteen thousand francs.'"

This conversation, in which high figures flew about like rockets, quite
excited Felicite. She felt delightfully buoyant. But at last she put on
a devout air, and gravely said: "Come, let us reckon it out. How much
will you earn?"

"Well," said Pierre, "the fixed salary, I believe, is three thousand
francs."

"Three thousand," Felicite counted.

"Then there is so much per cent on the receipts, which at Plassans, may
produce the sum of twelve thousand francs."

"That makes fifteen thousand."

"Yes, about fifteen thousand francs. That's what Peirotte earns. That's
not all. Peirotte does a little banking business on his own account.
It's allowed. Perhaps I shall be disposed to make a venture when I feel
luck on my side."

"Well, let us say twenty thousand. Twenty thousand francs a year!"
repeated Felicite, overwhelmed by the amount.

"We shall have to repay the advances," Pierre observed.

"That doesn't matter," Felicite replied, "we shall be richer than many
of those gentlemen. Are the marquis and the others going to share the
cake with you?"

"No, no; it will be all for