they not even ours?" the boy said, almost with a sob--it was the
only time he had spoken.

"Ours in this sense, that they are nobody else's," replied the Doctor.
"But the State would have some claim. If they were stolen, for instance,
we should be unable to demand their restitution; we should have no title;
we should be unable even to communicate with the police. Such is the
monstrous condition of the law.[2] It is a mere instance of what remains
to be done, of the injustices that may yet be righted by an ardent,
active, and philosophical deputy."

Jean-Marie put his faith in Madame Desprez; and as they drove forward
down the road from Bourron, between the rustling poplars, he prayed in
his teeth, and whipped up the horse to an unusual speed. Surely, as soon
as they arrived, madame would assert her character, and bring this waking
nightmare to an end.

Their entrance into Gretz was heralded and accompanied by a most furious
barking; all the dogs in the village seemed to smell the treasure in the
noddy. But there was no one in the street, save three lounging
landscape-painters at Tentaillon's door. Jean-Marie opened the green gate
and led in the horse and carriage; and almost at the same moment
Madame Desprez came to the kitchen threshold with a lighted lantern; for
the moon was not yet high enough to clear the garden walls.

"Close the gates, Jean-Marie!" cried the Doctor, somewhat unsteadily
alighting.--"Anastasie, where is Aline?"

"She has gone to Montereau to see her parents," said madame.

"All is for the best!" exclaimed the Doctor fervently. "Here quick, come
near to me; I do not wish to speak too loud," he continued. "Darling, we
are wealthy!"

"Wealthy!" repeated the wife.

"I have found the treasure of Franchard," replied her husband, "See, here
are the first-fruits; a pine-apple, a dress for my ever-beautiful--it
will suit her--trust a husband's, trust a lover's taste! Embrace me,
darling! This grimy episode is over; the butterfly unfolds its painted
wings. To-morrow Casimir will come; in a week we may be in Paris--happy
at last! You shall have diamonds.--Jean-Marie, take it out of the boot,
with religious care, and bring it piece by piece into the dining-room. We
shall have plate at table! Darling, hasten and prepare this turtle; it
will be a whet--it will be an addition to our meagre ordinary. I myself
will proceed to the cellar. We shall have a bottle of that little
Beaujolais you like, and finis