te room. Coursegol followed, and, the proprietor having taken his
departure, the two men found themselves alone.

"I have been contemplating the proposition I am about to make you for
several months," Vauquelas then began. "The very first time I saw you, I
made up my mind that you were the man to aid me in the projects I had
long since formed, but which had not been carried into execution for
want of an assistant in whom I could implicitly confide. But before I
trusted you with my plans, I wished to know you; so I have studied you
closely while you were unconscious of my scrutiny. I have admired the
prudence you have displayed in all your business transactions. You suit
me; and if you see fit to accede to the proposition I am about to offer
for your consideration, our fortunes are made."

"I am listening, Citizen Vauquelas," replied Coursegol, "but I may as
well tell you that it will be useless to confide your plans to me if
they are not perfectly honest."

"You shall judge," rejoined Vauquelas, not appearing in the least
wounded by Coursegol's remark. "Last month the Republic passed a decree
against the Emigres, ordering the confiscation of their property for the
benefit of the nation. This measure has been carried into execution, and
the government is now the possessor of a large amount of such property.
These lands will be sold at public auction, and will fall into all sorts
of hands. They will be divided and parceled out, and the rightful owners
when they return to France will have no power to take possession of the
property that once belonged to them. Very well--now I have wondered if
the purchase of a portion of this property would not be both profitable
and a praiseworthy action."

"And why?" inquired Coursegol, who had been listening attentively.

"The reason is plain," replied Vauquelas. "Will it not be for the
interest of the exiled owners that their estates should be bought on the
most favorable possible terms, and properly cared for. The brigands who
are now in power will fall some day; and then the Emigres will return.
Will they not be glad to find their property in good and careful hands,
and to be able to regain possession of it by paying the trifling sum
which the government received for it?"

Coursegol did not reply at once, he was reflecting.

"The transactions would be honest enough," he said at last; "but if you
purchase the lands of the government to-day and sell them later to their
owners at