l'Abbe, I have reflected upon our purposed
undertaking, and it occurs to me that it would be more in accordance
with a right spirit of humility and Christian meekness if the projected
establishment were instituted in your name, and not in mine."

"Nay, nay!" exclaimed the abbe, "such humility is exaggerated beyond all
reasonable scruples. You may fairly pride yourself upon having
originated so noble a charity, and it becomes your just right, as well
as your duty, to give it your own name."

"Pardon me for insisting in this instance on having my own way. I have
thought the matter well over, and am resolved upon preserving a strict
_incognito_ as to being the founder of the undertaking. I therefore
venture to hope you will do me the favour to act for me, and carry the
scheme into execution, selecting the various functionaries requisite for
its several departments. I merely desire to have the nomination of the
chief clerk and one of the doorkeepers. To this kindness you must add
the most inviolable secrecy as regards myself."

"Independently of the pleasure it would afford me to cooperate in such a
work as yours, my duty to my fellow creatures would not permit me to do
otherwise than accede to your wishes; you may therefore reckon upon me
in every way you desire."

"Then, with your permission, M. l'Abbe, my friend will read you the plan
he has decided on adopting."

"Perhaps," said Jacques Ferrand, bitterly, "you will spare me the
fatigue of reading it, by taking that office on yourself? You will
oblige me by so doing, will you not?"

"By no means!" answered Polidori. "The pure philanthropy which dictated
the scheme will sound far better from your lips than mine."

"Enough!" interrupted the notary; "I will read it myself."

Polidori, so long the accomplice of Jacques Ferrand, and consequently
well acquainted with the black catalogue of his crimes, could not
restrain a fiendish smile as he saw the notary compelled in his own
despite to read aloud and adopt as his own the words and sentiments so
arbitrarily dictated by Rodolph.

"ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BANK FOR WORKMEN OUT OF EMPLOY.

"We are instructed to 'Love one another!' These divine words
contain the germ of all charities. They have inspired the humble
founder of this institution. Limited as to the means of action,
the founder has desired at least to enable as many as possible
to participate in what he offers. In the first place, he