r rather nothing ever astonished me so
much before," the priest replied; "the fervent piety, the virtues of our
worthy friend, could only have such a result sooner or later. To devote
his whole fortune to so admirable an institution is most excellent!"

"More than a million of francs (40,000_l._), M. l'Abbe," said Polidori;
"more than a million, amassed by order, economy, and probity! And there
were so many wretches who accused Jacques of avarice! By what they said,
his business brings him in fifty or sixty thousand francs a year, and
yet he leads a life of privations!"

"To that I would reply," said the abbe, with enthusiasm, "that during
fifteen years he lived like a beggar, in order one day to console those
in distress most gloriously."

"But be at least proud and joyful at the good you do," cried Polidori,
addressing Jacques Ferrand, who, gloomy, beaten, and with his eye fixed,
seemed absorbed in painful meditation.

"Alas!" said the abbe, in a tone of sorrow, "it is not in this world
that one receives the recompense of so many virtues! There is a higher
ambition."

"Jacques," said Polidori, lightly touching the notary's shoulder,
"finish reading your prospectus."

The notary started, passed his hand across his forehead, and addressing
himself to the priest, "Your pardon, M. l'Abbe," said he, "but I was
lost in thought; I felt myself involuntarily carried away by the idea of
how immensely the funds of this 'Bank for the Poor' might be augmented
if the sums lent out were, when repaid, allowed to accumulate only for a
year. At the end of four years, the institution would be in a condition
to afford loans, either wholly gratuitously, or upon security, to the
amount of fifty thousand crowns! Enormous! And I am delighted to find it
so," continued he, as he reflected, with concealed rage, on the value of
the sacrifice he was compelled to make. He then added, "A revenue of ten
thousand francs will be secured for the expenses and management of the
'Bank for unemployed Workmen,' whose perpetual director shall be
Francois Germain; and the housekeeper, the present porter in the place,
an individual named Pipelet. M. l'Abbe Dumont, in whose hands the
necessary funds for carrying out the undertaking will be placed, will
establish a board of superintendence, composed of the magistrate of the
district and other legal functionaries, in addition to all such
influential personages whose patronage and support may be likely to
a