Espard's mental faculties, since the only service which Mme.
Jeanrenaud appears to render M. d'Espard is to procure him everything
that relates to the Chinese Empire;

"'Finally, that the petitioner is prepared to show to the Court that the
moneys absorbed by the said Baron and Mme. Jeanrenaud between 1814 and
1828 amount to not less than one million francs.

"'In confirmation of the facts herein set forth, the petitioner can
bring the evidence of persons who are in the habit of seeing the Marquis
d'Espard, whose names and professions are subjoined, many of whom
have urged her to demand a commission in lunacy to declare M. d'Espard
incapable of managing his own affairs, as being the only way to preserve
his fortune from the effects of his maladministration and his children
from his fatal influence.

"'Taking all this into consideration, M. le President, and the
affidavits subjoined, the petitioner desires that it may please you,
inasmuch as the foregoing facts sufficiently prove the insanity and
incompetency of the Marquis d'Espard herein described with his titles
and residence, to order that, to the end that he may be declared
incompetent by law, this petition and the documents in evidence may be
laid before the King's public prosecutor; and that you will charge one
of the judges of this Court to make his report to you on any day you may
be pleased to name, and thereupon to pronounce judgment,' etc.

"And here," said Popinot, "is the President's order instructing
me!--Well, what does the Marquise d'Espard want with me? I know
everything. But I shall go to-morrow with my registrar to see M. le
Marquis, for this does not seem at all clear to me."

"Listen, my dear uncle, I have never asked the least little favor of you
that had to do with your legal functions; well, now I beg you to show
Madame d'Espard the kindness which her situation deserves. If she came
here, you would listen to her?"

"Yes."

"Well, then, go and listen to her in her own house. Madame d'Espard is
a sickly, nervous, delicate woman, who would faint in your rat-hole of a
place. Go in the evening, instead of accepting her dinner, since the law
forbids your eating or drinking at your client's expense."

"And does not the law forbid you from taking any legacy from your dead?"
said Popinot, fancying that he saw a touch of irony on his nephew's
lips.

"Come, uncle, if it were only to enable you to get at the truth of this
business, grant my reques