imself of the annoyances and petty disputes
caused by the inclosure of these fields within his land, had desired to
buy the farm, having heard that Monsieur Margueron's chief ambition was
to have his only son, then a mere tax-gatherer, made special collector
of finances at Beaumont. The farmer, who knew he could sell the fields
piecemeal to the count at a high price, was ready to pay Margueron even
more than he expected from the count.

Thus matters stood when, two days earlier than that of which we write,
Monsieur de Serizy, anxious to end the matter, sent for his notary,
Alexandre Crottat, and his lawyer, Derville, to examine into all the
circumstances of the affair. Though Derville and Crottat threw some
doubt on the zeal of the count's steward (a disturbing letter from whom
had led to the consultation), Monsieur de Serizy defended Moreau, who,
he said, had served him faithfully for seventeen years.

"Very well!" said Derville, "then I advise your Excellency to go to
Presles yourself, and invite this Margueron to dinner. Crottat will send
his head-clerk with a deed of sale drawn up, leaving only the necessary
lines for description of property and titles in blank. Your Excellency
should take with you part of the purchase money in a check on the
Bank of France, not forgetting the appointment of the son to the
collectorship. If you don't settle the thing at once that farm will slip
through your fingers. You don't know, Monsieur le comte, the trickery of
these peasants. Peasants against diplomat, and the diplomat succumbs."

Crottat agreed in this advice, which the count, if we may judge by the
valet's statements to Pierrotin, had adopted. The preceding evening
he had sent Moreau a line by the diligence to Beaumont, telling him to
invite Margueron to dinner in order that they might then and there close
the purchase of the farm of Moulineaux.

Before this matter came up, the count had already ordered the chateau of
Presles to be restored and refurnished, and for the last year, Grindot,
an architect then in fashion, was in the habit of making a weekly visit.
So, while concluding his purchase of the farm, Monsieur de Serizy also
intended to examine the work of restoration and the effect of the new
furniture. He intended all this to be a surprise to his wife when he
brought her to Presles, and with this idea in his mind, he had put some
personal pride and self-love into the work. How came it therefore that
the count, who