ation, in which she no
doubt took care not to include the ready money or jewelry, or too
much of the plate, and in which the furniture would be estimated at
two-thirds of its actual cost, either to benefit her, or to lighten the
succession duty, and also because a valuer can be held responsible
for the declared value--the valuation thus made stood at six hundred
thousand francs. Your wife had a right of half for her share. Everything
was sold and bought in by her; she got something out of it all, and the
hospitals got their seventy-five thousand francs. Then, as the remainder
went to the State, since you had made no mention of your wife in your
will, the Emperor restored to your widow by decree the residue which
would have reverted to the Exchequer. So, now, what can you claim? Three
hundred thousand francs, no more, and minus the costs."

"And you call that justice!" said the Colonel, in dismay.

"Why, certainly--"

"A pretty kind of justice!"

"So it is, my dear Colonel. You see, that what you thought so easy is
not so. Madame Ferraud might even choose to keep the sum given to her by
the Emperor."

"But she was not a widow. The decree is utterly void----"

"I agree with you. But every case can get a hearing. Listen to me. I
think that under these circumstances a compromise would be both for her
and for you the best solution of the question. You will gain by it a
more considerable sum than you can prove a right to."

"That would be to sell my wife!"

"With twenty-four thousand francs a year you could find a woman who, in
the position in which you are, would suit you better than your own wife,
and make you happier. I propose going this very day to see the Comtesse
Ferraud and sounding the ground; but I would not take such a step
without giving you due notice."

"Let us go together."

"What, just as you are?" said the lawyer. "No, my dear Colonel, no. You
might lose your case on the spot."

"Can I possibly gain it?"

"On every count," replied Derville. "But, my dear Colonel Chabert, you
overlook one thing. I am not rich; the price of my connection is not
wholly paid up. If the bench should allow you a maintenance, that is to
say, a sum advanced on your prospects, they will not do so till you
have proved that you are Comte Chabert, grand officer of the Legion of
Honor."

"To be sure, I am a grand officer of the Legion of Honor; I had
forgotten that," said he simply.

"Well, until then," Derville went on