a warning tone.

"Well, what, uncle?" answered the president.

"Let Monsieur Grandet explain his own intentions. The matter in question
is of the first importance. Our good friend ought to define his meaning
clearly, and--"

A loud knock, which announced the arrival of the des Grassins family,
succeeded by their entrance and salutations, hindered Cruchot from
concluding his sentence. The notary was glad of the interruption, for
Grandet was beginning to look suspiciously at him, and the wen gave
signs of a brewing storm. In the first place, the notary did not think
it becoming in a president of the Civil courts to go to Paris and
manipulate creditors and lend himself to an underhand job which clashed
with the laws of strict integrity; moreover, never having known old
Grandet to express the slightest desire to pay anything, no matter what,
he instinctively feared to see his nephew taking part in the affair.
He therefore profited by the entrance of the des Grassins to take the
nephew by the arm and lead him into the embrasure of the window,--

"You have said enough, nephew; you've shown enough devotion. Your desire
to win the girl blinds you. The devil! you mustn't go at it tooth and
nail. Let me sail the ship now; you can haul on the braces. Do you think
it right to compromise your dignity as a magistrate in such a--"

He stopped, for he heard Monsieur des Grassins saying to the old cooper
as they shook hands,--

"Grandet, we have heard of the frightful misfortunes which have just
befallen your family,--the failure of the house of Guillaume Grandet and
the death of your brother. We have come to express our grief at these
sad events."

"There is but one sad event," said the notary, interrupting the
banker,--"the death of Monsieur Grandet, junior; and he would never have
killed himself had he thought in time of applying to his brother for
help. Our old friend, who is honorable to his finger-nails, intends
to liquidate the debts of the Maison Grandet of Paris. To save him the
worry of legal proceedings, my nephew, the president, has just offered
to go to Paris and negotiate with the creditors for a satisfactory
settlement."

These words, corroborated by Grandet's attitude as he stood silently
nursing his chin, astonished the three des Grassins, who had been
leisurely discussing the old man's avarice as they came along, very
nearly accusing him of fratricide.

"Ah! I was sure of it," cried the banker, looking at h