improvement
in prices. If I had kept four thousand francs a year for my boys and
myself, I could only have paid off twenty thousand crowns a year, and it
would have taken almost eighteen years to achieve my freedom. As it is,
I have lately repaid the whole of the eleven hundred thousand
francs that were due. Thus I enjoy the happiness of having made this
restitution without doing my children the smallest wrong.

"These, monsieur, are the reasons for the payments made to Madame
Jeanrenaud and her son."

"So Madame d'Espard knew the motives of your retirement?" said the
judge, controlling the emotion he felt at this narrative.

"Yes, monsieur."

Popinot gave an expressive shrug; he rose and opened the door into the
next room.

"Noel, you can go," said he to his clerk.

"Monsieur," he went on, "though what you have told me is enough to
enlighten me thoroughly, I should like to hear what you have to say to
the other facts put forward in the petition. For instance, you are here
carrying on a business such as is not habitually undertaken by a man of
rank."

"We cannot discuss that matter here," said the Marquis, signing to the
judge to quit the room. "Nouvion," said he to the old man, "I am going
down to my rooms; the children will soon be in; dine with us."

"Then, Monsieur le Marquis," said Popinot on the stairs, "that is not
your apartment?"

"No, monsieur; I took those rooms for the office of this undertaking.
You see," and he pointed to an advertisement sheet, "the History is
being brought out by one of the most respectable firms in Paris, and not
by me."

The Marquis showed the lawyer into the ground-floor rooms, saying, "This
is my apartment."

Popinot was quite touched by the poetry, not aimed at but pervading this
dwelling. The weather was lovely, the windows were open, the air from
the garden brought in a wholesome earthy smell, the sunshine brightened
and gilded the woodwork, of a rather gloomy brown. At the sight Popinot
made up his mind that a madman would hardly be capable of inventing the
tender harmony of which he was at that moment conscious.

"I should like just such an apartment," thought he. "You think of
leaving this part of town?" he inquired.

"I hope so," replied the Marquis. "But I shall remain till my younger
son has finished his studies, and till the children's character is
thoroughly formed, before introducing them to the world and to their
mother's circle. Indeed, after giving t