true delicacy in the minds of
all present.

"We love you, Monsieur Butscha," said Madame Mignon, with much feeling
in her voice.

"I've six hundred thousand francs of my own, this day," cried Dumay,
"and you shall be a notary and the successor of Latournelle."

The American wife took the hand of the poor hunchback and pressed it.

"What! you have six hundred thousand francs!" exclaimed Latournelle,
pricking up his ears as Dumay let fall the words; "and you allow these
ladies to live as they do! Modeste ought to have a fine horse; and why
doesn't she continue to take lessons in music, and painting, and--"

"Why, he has only had the money a few hours!" cried the little wife.

"Hush!" murmured Madame Mignon.

While these words were exchanged, Butscha's august mistress turned
towards him, preparing to make a speech:--

"My son," she said, "you are so surrounded by true affection that I
never thought how my thoughtless use of that familiar phrase might be
construed; but you must thank me for my little blunder, because it has
served to show you what friends your noble qualities have won."

"Then you must have news from Monsieur Mignon," resumed the notary.

"He is on his way home," said Madame Mignon; "but let us keep the secret
to ourselves. When my husband learns how faithful Butscha has been
to us, how he has shown us the warmest and the most disinterested
friendship when others have given us the cold shoulder, he will not let
you alone provide for him, Dumay. And so, my friend," she added, turning
her blind face toward Butscha; "you can begin at once to negotiate with
Latournelle."

"He's of legal age, twenty-five and a half years. As for me, it will
be paying a debt, my boy, to make the purchase easy for you," said the
notary.

Butscha was kissing Madame Mignon's hand, and his face was wet with
tears as Modeste opened the door of the salon.

"What are you doing to my Black Dwarf?" she demanded. "Who is making him
unhappy?"

"Ah! Mademoiselle Mignon, do we luckless fellows, cradled in misfortune,
ever weep for grief? They have just shown me as much affection as I
could feel for them if they were indeed my own relations. I'm to be a
notary; I shall be rich. Ha! ha! the poor Butscha may become the rich
Butscha. You don't know what audacity there is in this abortion," he
cried.

With that he gave himself a resounding blow on the cavity of his chest
and took up a position before the fireplace, after casting