ilet. But you will meet him no
more at Mere Cognette's at one in the morning; for you will not leave
this house, either of you, until you go to your respective destinations.
Ha! it was you who ruined Fario, was it? you, who have narrowly escaped
the police-courts--Hold your tongue!" he said, seeing that Baruch was
about to speak. "You both owe money to Monsieur Maxence Gilet; who,
for six years, has paid for your debauchery. Listen, both of you, to my
guardianship accounts; after that, I shall have more to say. You will
see, after these papers are read, whether you can still trifle with
me,--still trifle with family laws by betraying the secrets of this
house, and reporting to a Monsieur Maxence Gilet what is said and what
is done here. For three thousand francs, you became spies; for ten
thousand, you would, no doubt, become assassins. You did almost kill
Madame Bridau; for Monsieur Gilet knew very well it was Fario who
stabbed him when he threw the crime upon my guest, Monsieur Joseph
Bridau. If that jail-bird did so wicked an act, it was because you told
him what Madame Bridau meant to do. You, my grandsons, the spies of
such a man! You, house-breakers and marauders! Don't you know that
your worthy leader killed a poor young woman, in 1806? I will not have
assassins and thieves in my family. Pack your things; you shall go hang
elsewhere!"

The two young men turned white and stiff as plaster casts.

"Read on, Monsieur Heron," said Hochon.

The old notary read the guardianship accounts; from which it appeared
that the net fortune of the two Borniche children amounted to seventy
thousand francs, a sum derived from the dowry of their mother: but
Monsieur Hochon had lent his daughter various large sums, and was
now, as creditor, the owner of a part of the property of his Borniche
grandchildren. The portion coming to Baruch amounted to only twenty
thousand francs.

"Now you are rich," said the old man, "take your money, and go. I remain
master of my own property and that of Madame Hochon, who in this matter
shares all my intentions, and I shall give it to whom I choose; namely,
our dear Adolphine. Yes, we can marry her if we please to the son of a
peer of France, for she will be an heiress."

"A noble fortune!" said Monsieur Heron.

"Monsieur Maxence Gilet will make up this loss to you," said Madame
Hochon.

"Let my hard-saved money go to a scapegrace like you? no, indeed!" cried
Monsieur Hochon.

"Forgive me!"