Thedayafterthisconferencewasthe30thofApril，andtheCointetspresentedthefirstofthethreebillsforgedbyLucien。Unluckily，thebillwasbroughttopoorMme。Sechard；andshe，seeingatoncethatthesignaturewasnotinherhusband’shandwriting，sentforDavidandaskedhimpoint-blank：
　　“Youdidnotputyournametothatbill，didyou？“
　　“No。”saidhe；“yourbrotherwassopressedfortimethathesignedforme。”
　　EvereturnedthebilltothebankmessengersentbytheCointets。
　　“Wecannotmeetit。”shesaid；then，feelingthatherstrengthwasfailing，shewentuptoherroom。Davidfollowedher。
　　“GoquicklytotheCointets，dear。”Evesaidfaintly；“theywillhavesomeconsiderationforyou；begthemtowait；andcalltheirattentionbesidestothefactthatwhenCerizet’sleaseisrenewed，theywilloweyouathousandfrancs。”
　　Davidwentforthwithtohisenemies。Now，anyforemanmaybecomeamasterprinter，buttherearenotalwaysthemakingsofagoodmanofbusinessinaskilledtypographer；Davidknewverylittleofbusiness；
　　when，therefore，withaheavily-beatingheartandasensationofthrottling，Davidhadputhisexcusesbadlyenoughandformulatedhisrequest，theanswer——“Thisisnothingtodowithus；thebillhasbeenpassedontousbyMetivier；Metivierwillpayus。ApplytoM。
　　Metivier“——cuthimshortatonce。
　　“Oh！“criedEvewhensheheardtheresult，“assoonasthebillisreturnedtoM。Metivier，wemaybeeasy。”
　　Attwoo’clockthenextday，Victor-Ange-HermenegildeDoublon，bailiff，madeprotestfornon-paymentattwoo’clock，atimewhenthePlaceduMurierisfullofpeople；sothatthoughDoublonwascarefultostandandchatatthebackdoorwithMarionandKolb，thenewsoftheprotestwasknownalloverthebusinessworldofAngoulemethatevening。TallCointethadenjoinedituponMasterDoublontoshowtheSechardsthegreatestconsideration；butwhenallwassaidanddone，couldthebailiff’shypocriticalregardforappearancessaveEveandDavidfromthedisgraceofasuspensionofpayment？Leteachjudgeforhimself。Atolerablylongdigressionofthiskindwillseemalltooshort；andninetyoutofeveryhundredreadersshallseizewithavidityupondetailsthatpossessallthepiquancyofnovelty，thusestablishingyetonceagainthetrustofthewell-knownaxiom，thatthereisnothingsolittleknownasthatwhicheverybodyissupposedtoknow——theLawoftheLand，towit。
　　Andofatruth，fortheimmensemajorityofFrenchmen，aminutedescriptionofsomepartofthemachineryofbankingwillbeasinterestingasanychapterofforeigntravel。WhenatradesmanlivinginonetowngivesabilltoanothertradesmanelsewhereasDavidwassupposedtohavedoneforLucien’sbenefit，thetransactionceasestobeasimplepromissorynote，giveninthewayofbusinessbyonetradesmantoanotherinthesameplace，andbecomesinsomesortaletterofexchange。When，therefore，MetivieracceptedLucien’sthreebills，hewasobligedtosendthemforcollectiontohiscorrespondentsinAngouleme——toCointetBrothers，thatistosay。
　　Hence，likewise，acertaininitiallossforLucieninexchangeonAngouleme，takingthepracticalshapeofanabatementofsomuchpercentoverandabovethediscount。InthiswaySechard’sbillshadpassedintocirculationinthebank。Youwouldnotbelievehowgreatlythequalityofbanker，unitedwiththeaugusttitleofcreditor，changesthedebtor’sposition。Forinstance，whenabillhasbeenpassedthroughthebankpleasenotethatexpression，andtransferredfromthemoneymarketinParistothefinancialworldofAngouleme，ifthatbillisprotested，thenthebankersinAngoulememustdrawupadetailedaccountoftheexpensesofprotestandreturn；’tisadutywhichtheyowetothemselves。Jokingapart，noaccountofthemostromanticadventurecouldbemoremildlyimprobablethanthisofthejourneymadebyabill。BeholdacertainarticleintheCodeofcommerceauthorizingthemostingeniouspleasantriesafterMascarille’smanner，andtheinterpretationthereofshallmakeapparentmanifoldatrocitieslurkingbeneaththeformidableword“legal。”
　　MasterDoublonregisteredtheprotestandwenthimselfwithittoMM。
　　CointetBrothers。Thefirmhadastandingaccountwiththeirbailiff；
　　hegavethemsixmonths’credit；andthelynxesofAngoulemepracticallytookatwelvemonth，thoughtallCointetwouldsaymonthbymonthtothelynxes’jackal，“Doyouwantanymoney，Doublon？“Norwasthisall。Doublongavetheinfluentialhousearebateuponeverytransaction；itwasthemeresttrifle，onefrancfiftycentimesonaprotest，forinstance。
　　TallCointetquietlysathimselfdownathisdeskandtookoutasmallsheetofpaperwithathirty-fivecentimestampuponit，chattingashedidsowithDoublonastothestandingofsomeofthelocaltradesmen。
　　“Well，areyousatisfiedwithyoungGannerac？“
　　“Heisnotdoingbadly。Lord，acarrierdrivesatrade——“
　　“Drivesatrade，yes；but，asamatteroffact，hisexpensesareaheavypullonhim；hiswifespendsagooddeal，sotheytellme——“
　　“OfHISmoney？“askedDoublon，withaknowinglook。
　　Thelynxmeanwhilehadfinishedrulinghissheetofpaper，andnowproceededtotracetheominouswordsattheheadofthefollowingaccountinboldcharacters：——
　　ACCOUNTOFEXPENSESOFPROTESTANDRETURN。
　　ToonebillforONETHOUSANDFRANCS，bearingdateofFebruarythetenth，eighteenhundredandtwenty-two，drawnbySECHARDJUNIORofAngouleme，toorderofLUCIENCHARDON，otherwiseDERUBEMPRE，endorsedtoorderofMETIVIER，andfinallytoourorder，maturedthethirtiethofAprillast，protestedbyDOUBLON，process-server，onthefirstofMay，eighteenhundredandtwenty-two。
　　fr。c。
　　Principal……1000——
　　ExpensesofProtest……1235
　　Bankcharges，one-halfpercent……5——
　　Brokerage，one-quarterpercent……250
　　Stamponre-draftandpresentaccount……135
　　Interestandpostage……3——
　　________
　　102420
　　Exchangeattherateofoneandaquarterpercenton1024fr。20c……1325
　　________
　　Total……103745
　　Onethousandandthirty-sevenfrancsforty-fivecentimes，forwhichwerepayourselvesbyourdraftatsightuponM。Metivier，RueSerpente，Paris，payabletoorderofM。GanneracofL’Houmeau。
　　ANGOULEME，May2，1822COINTETBROTHERS。
　　Atthefootofthislittlememorandum，draftedwiththeeasethatcomesoflongpracticeforthewriterchattedwithDoublonashewrote，thereappearedthesubjoinedformofdeclaration：——
　　“We，theundersigned，PostelofL’Houmeau，pharmaceuticalchemist，andGannerac，forwardingagent，merchantofthistown，herebycertifythatthepresentrateofexchangeonParisisoneandaquarterpercent。
　　“ANGOULEME，May2，1822。”
　　“Here，Doublon，besogoodastosteproundandaskPostelandGanneractoputtheirnamestothisdeclaration，andbringitbackwithyouto-morrowmorning。”
　　AndDoublon，quiteaccustomedashewastotheseinstrumentsoftorture，forthwithwent，asifitwerethesimplestthingintheworld。Evidentlytheprotestmighthavebeensentinanenvelope，asinParis，andevensoallAngoulemewassuretohearofthepoorSechards’unluckypredicament。Howtheyallblamedhiswantofbusinessenergy！Hisexcessivefondnessforhiswifehadbeentheruinofhim，accordingtosome；othersmaintainedthatitwashisaffectionforhisbrother-in-law；andwhatshockingconclusionsdidtheynotdrawfromthesepremises！Amanoughtnevertoembracetheinterestsofhiskithandkin。OldSechard’shard-heartedconductmetwithapproval，andpeopleadmiredhimforhistreatmentofhisson！
　　Andnow，allyouwhoforanyreasonwhatsoevershouldforgetto“honoryourengagements。”lookwellintothemethodsofthebankingbusiness，bywhichonethousandfrancsmaybemadetopayinterestattherateoftwenty-eightfrancsintenminutes，withoutbreakingthelawoftheland。
　　Thethousandfrancs，theoneincontestableitemintheaccount，comesfirst。
　　TheseconditemissharedbetweenthebailiffandtheInlandRevenueDepartment。ThesixfrancsduetotheStateforprovidingapieceofstampedpaper，andputtingthedebtor’smortificationonrecord，willprobablyensurealonglifetothisabuse；andasyoualreadyknow，onefrancfiftycentimesfromthisitemfounditswayintothebanker’spocketsintheshapeofDoublon’srebate。
　　“Bankchargesone-halfpercent。”runsthethirditem，whichappearsupontheingeniouspleathatifabankerhasnotreceivedpayment，hehasforallpracticalpurposesdiscountedabill。Andalthoughthecontrarymaybethecase，ifyoufailtoreceiveathousandfrancs，itseemstobeverymuchthesamethingasifyouhadpaidthemaway。
　　Everybodywhohasdiscountedabillknowsthathehastopaymorethanthesixpercentfixedbylaw；forasmallpercentageappearsunderthehumbletitleof“charges。”representingapremiumonthefinancialgeniusandskillwithwhichthecapitalistputshismoneyouttointerest。Themoremoneyhemakesoutofyou，themoreheasks。
　　Whereforeitwouldbeundoubtedlycheapertodiscountabillwithafool，iffoolstherebeintheprofessionofbill-discounting。
　　Thelawrequiresthebankertoobtainastock-broker’scertificatefortherateofexchange。Whenaplaceissounluckyastoboastnostockexchange，twomerchantsactinstead。Thisisthesignificanceoftheitem“brokerage“；itisafixedchargeofaquarterpercentontheamountoftheprotestedbill。Thecustomistoconsidertheamountaspaidtothemerchantswhoactforthestock-broker，andthebankerquietlyputsthemoneyintohiscash-box。Somuchforthethirditeminthisdelightfulaccount。
　　Thefourthincludesthecostofthepieceofstampedpaperonwhichtheaccountitselfappears，aswellasthecostofthestampforre-draft，asitisingeniouslynamed，viz。，thebanker’sdraftuponhiscolleagueinParis。
　　Thefifthisachargeforpostageandthelegalinterestdueupontheamountforthetimethatitmayhappentobeabsentfromthebanker’sstrongbox。
　　Thefinalitem，theexchange，istheobjectforwhichthebankexists，whichistosay，forthetransmissionofsumsofmoneyfromoneplacetoanother。
　　Now，siftthisaccountthoroughly，andwhatdoyoufind？ThemethodofcalculationcloselyresemblesPolichinelle’sarithmeticinLablache’sNeapolitansong，“fifteenandfivemaketwenty-two。”ThesignaturesofMessieursPostelandGanneracwereobviouslygiventoobligeinthewayofbusiness；theCointetswouldactatneedforGanneracasGanneracactedfortheCointets。Itwasapracticalapplicationofthewell-knownproverb，“ReachmetherhubarbandIwillpassyouthesenna。”CointetBrothers，moreover，keptastandingaccountwithMetivier；therewasnoneedofare-draft，andnore-draftwasmade。A
　　returnedbillbetweenthetwofirmssimplymeantadebitorcreditentryandanotherlineinaledger。
　　Thishighly-coloredaccount，therefore，isreducedtotheonethousandfrancs，withanadditionalthirteenfrancsforexpensesofprotest，andhalfpercentforamonth’sdelay，onethousandandeighteenfrancsitmaybeinall。
　　Supposethatinalargebanking-houseabillforathousandfrancsisdailyprotestedonanaverage，thenthebankerreceivestwenty-eightfrancsadaybythegraceofGodandtheconstitutionofthebankingsystem，thatallpowerfulinventionduetotheJewishintellectoftheMiddleAges，whichaftersixcenturiesstillcontrolsmonarchsandpeoples。Inotherwords，athousandfrancswouldbringsuchahousetwenty-eightfrancsperday，ortenthousandtwohundredandtwentyfrancsperannum。Tripletheaverageofprotests，andconsequentlyofexpenses，andyoushallderiveanincomeofthirtythousandfrancsperannum，interestuponpurelyfictitiouscapital。Forwhichreason，nothingismorelovinglycultivatedthantheselittle“accountsofexpenses。”
　　IfDavidSechardhadcometopayhisbillonthe3rdofMay，thatis，thedayafteritwasprotested，MM。CointetBrotherswouldhavemethimatoncewith，“WehavereturnedyourbilltoM。Metivier。”
　　although，asamatteroffact，thedocumentwouldhavebeenlyinguponthedesk。Abankerhasarighttomakeouttheaccountofexpensesontheeveningofthedaywhenthebillisprotested，andheusestherightto“sweatthesilvercrowns。”inthecountrybanker’sphrase。
　　TheKellers，withcorrespondentsallovertheworld，maketwentythousandfrancsperannumbychargesforpostagealone；accountsofexpensesofprotestpayforMme。laBaronnedeNucingen’sdresses，operabox，andcarriage。Thechargeforpostageisamoreshockingswindle，becauseahousewillsettletenmattersofbusinessinasmanylinesofasingleletter。Andofthetithewrungfrommisfortune，theGovernment，strangetosay！takesitsshare，andthenationalrevenueisswelledbyataxoncommercialfailure。AndtheBank？fromtheaugustheightofacounting-housesheflingsanobservation，fullofcommonsense，atthedebtor，“Howisit？“asksshe，“thatyoucannotmeetyourbill？“and，unluckily，thereisnoreplytothequestion。
　　Wherefore，the“accountofexpenses“isanaccountbristlingwithdreadfulfictions，fittocauseanydebtor，whohenceforthshallreflectuponthisinstructivepage，asalutaryshudder。
　　Onthe4thofMay，MetivierreceivedtheaccountfromCointetBrothers，withinstructionstoproceedagainstM。LucienChardon，otherwisedeRubempre，withtheutmostrigorofthelaw。
　　EvealsowrotetoM。Metivier，andafewdayslaterreceivedananswerwhichreassuredhercompletely：——
　　ToM。Sechard，Junior，Printer，Angouleme。
　　“Ihavedulyreceivedyouresteemedfavorofthe5thinstant。FromyourexplanationofthebilldueonApril30th，Iunderstandthatyouhaveobligedyourbrother-in-law，M。deRubempre，whoisspendingsomuchthatitwillbedoingyouaservicetosummonshim。Hispresentpositionissuchthatheislikelytodelaypaymentforlong。Ifyourbrother-in-lawshouldrefusepayment，I
　　shallrelyuponthecreditofyourold-establishedhouse——Isignmyselfnow，asever，yourobedientservant，“Metivier。”
　　“Well。”saidEve，commentinguponthelettertoDavid，“Lucienwillknowwhentheysummonshimthatwecouldnotpay。”
　　WhatachangewroughtinEvethosefewwordsmeant！Thelovethatgrewdeeperasshecametoknowherhusband’scharacterbetterandbetter，wastakingtheplaceofloveforherbrotherinherheart。Buttohowmanyillusionshadshenotbadefarewell？
　　AndnowletustraceoutthewholehistoryofthebillandtheaccountofexpensesinthebusinessworldofParis。Thelawenactsthatthethirdholder，thetechnicalexpressionforthethirdpartyintowhosehandsthebillpasses，isatlibertytoproceedforthewholeamountagainstanyoneofthevariousendorserswhoappearstohimtobemostlikelytomakepromptpayment。M。Metivier，usingthisdiscretion，servedasummonsuponLucien。Beholdthesuccessivestagesoftheproceedings，allofthemperfectlyfutile。Metivier，withtheCointetsbehindhim，knewthatLucienwasnotinapositiontopay，butinsolvencyinfactisnotinsolvencyinlawuntilithasbeenformallyproved。
　　FormalproofofLucien’sinabilitytopaywasobtainedinthefollowingmanner：
　　Onthe5thofMay，Metivier’sprocess-servergaveLuciennoticeoftheprotestandanaccountoftheexpensethereof，andsummonedhimtoappearbeforetheTribunalofCommerce，orCountyCourt，ofParis，tohearavastnumberofthings：this，amongothers，thathewasliabletoimprisonmentasamerchant。BythetimethatLucien，hardpressedandhunteddownonallsides，readthisjargon，hereceivednoticeofjudgmentagainsthimbydefault。Coralie，hismistress，ignorantofthewholematter，imaginedthatLucienhadobligedhisbrother-in-law，andhandedhimallthedocumentstogether——toolate。Anactressseessomuchofbailiffs，duns，andwrits，uponthestage，thatshelooksonallstampedpaperasafarce。
　　TearsfilledLucien’seyes；hewasunhappyonSechard’saccount，hewasashamedoftheforgery，hewishedtopay，hedesiredtogaintime。
　　Naturallyhetookcounselofhisfriends。ButbythetimeLousteau，Blondet，Bixiou，andNathanhadtoldthepoettosnaphisfingersatacourtonlyestablishedfortradesmen，Lucienwasalreadyintheclutchesofthelaw。Hebehelduponhisdoorthelittleyellowplacardwhichleavesitsreflectionontheporter’scountenance，andexercisesamostastringentinfluenceuponcredit；strikingterrorintotheheartofthesmallesttradesman，andfreezingthebloodintheveinsofapoetsusceptibleenoughtocareaboutthebitsofwood，silkenrags，dyedwoolenstuffs，andmultifariousgimcracksentitledfurniture。
　　Whenthebroker’smencameforCoralie’sfurniture，theauthoroftheMargueritesfledtoafriendofBixiou’s，oneDesroches，abarrister，whoburstoutlaughingatthesightofLucieninsuchastateaboutnothingatall。
　　“Thatisnothing，mydearfellow。Doyouwanttogaintime？“
　　“Yes，asmuchpossible。”
　　“Verywell，applyforstayofexecution。GoandlookupMasson，heisasolicitorintheCommercialCourt，andafriendofmine。Takeyourdocumentstohim。Hewillmakeasecondapplicationforyou，andgivenoticeofobjectiontothejurisdictionofthecourt。Thereisnottheleastdifficulty；youareajournalist，yournameiswellknownenough。Iftheysummonsyoubeforeacivilcourt，cometomeaboutit，thatwillbemyaffair；IengagetosendanybodywhoofferstoannoythefairCoralieabouthisbusiness。”
　　Onthe28thofMay，Lucien’scasecameoninthecivilcourt，andjudgmentwasgivenbeforeDesrochesexpectedit。Lucien’screditorwaspushingontheproceedingsagainsthim。Asecondexecutionwasputin，andagainCoralie’spilastersweregildedwithplacards。Desrochesfeltratherfoolish；acolleaguehad“caughthimnapping。”tousehisownexpression。Hedemurred，notwithoutreason，thatthefurniturebelongedtoMlle。Coralie，withwhomLucienwasliving，anddemandedanorderforinquiry。Thereuponthejudgereferredthemattertotheregistrarforinquiry，thefurniturewasprovedtobelongtotheactress，andjudgmentwasenteredaccordingly。Metivierappealed，andjudgmentwasconfirmedonappealonthe30thofJune。
　　Onthe7thofAugust，MaitreCachanreceivedbythecoachabulkypackageendorsed，“MetivierversusSechardandLucienChardon。”
　　Thefirstdocumentwasaneatlittlebill，ofwhichacopyaccuracyguaranteedisheregivenforthereader’sbenefit：——
　　ToBillduethelastdayofApril，drawnbySECHARD，JUNIOR，toorderofLUCIENDE
　　RUBEMPRE，togetherwithexpensesoffr。c。
　　protestandreturn……103745
　　May5th——ServingnoticeofprotestandsummonstoappearbeforetheTribunalofCommerceinParis，May7th……875
　　“7th——Judgmentbydefaultandwarrantofarrest……35——
　　“10th——Notificationofjudgment……850
　　“12th——Warrantofexecution……550
　　“14th——Inventoryandappraisementprevioustoexecution……16——
　　“18th——Expensesofaffixingplacards……1525
　　“19th——Registration……4——
　　“24th——Verificationofinventory，andapplicationforstayofexecutiononthepartofthesaidLuciendeRubempre，objectingtothejurisdictionoftheCourt……12——
　　“27th——OrderoftheCourtuponapplicationdulyrepeated，andtransferofofcasetotheCivilCourt……35——
　　________
　　Carriedforward……117745
　　fr。c。
　　Broughtforward117745
　　May28th——NoticeofsummaryproceedingsintheCivilCourtattheinstanceofMetivier，representedbycounsel……650
　　June2nd——Judgment，afterhearingbothparties，condemningLucienforexpensesofprotestandreturn；
　　theplaintifftobearcostsofproceedingsintheCommercialCourt……150——
　　“6th——Notificationofjudgment……10——
　　“15th——Warrantofexecution……550
　　“19th——Inventoryandappraisementpreparatorytoexecution；interpleadersummonsbytheDemoiselleCoralie，claiminggoodsandchattelstakeninexecution；demandforimmediatespecialinquirybeforefurtherproceedingsbetaken……20——
　　““——Judge’sorderreferringmattertoregistrarforimmediatespecialinquiry……40——
　　““——JudgmentinfavorofthesaidMademoiselleCoralie……250——
　　“20th——AppealbyMetivier……17——
　　“30th——Confirmationofjudgment……250——
　　________
　　Total……192645
　　__________
　　BillmaturedMay31st，withexpensesoffr。c。
　　protestandreturn……103745
　　Servingnoticeofprotest……875
　　________
　　Total……104620
　　BillmaturedJune30th，withexpensesofprotestandreturn……103745
　　Servingnoticeofprotest……875
　　________
　　Total……104620
　　__________
　　ThisdocumentwasaccompaniedbyaletterfromMetivier，instructingMaitreCachan，notaryofAngouleme，toprosecuteDavidSechardwiththeutmostrigorofthelaw。WhereforeMaitreVictor-Ange-HermenegildeDoublonsummonedDavidSechardbeforetheTribunalofCommerceinAngoulemeforthesum-totaloffourthousandandeighteenfrancseighty-fivecentimes，theamountofthethreebillsandexpensesalreadyincurred。OnthemorningoftheverydaywhenDoublonservedthewrituponEve，requiringhertopayasumsoenormousinhereyes，therecamealetterlikeathunderboltfromMetivier：——
　　ToMonsieurSechard，Junior，Printer，Angouleme。
　　“SIR，——Yourbrother-in-law，M。Chardon，issoshamelesslydishonest，thathedeclareshisfurnituretobethepropertyofanactresswithwhomheisliving。Yououghttohaveinformedmecandidlyofthesecircumstances，andnothaveallowedmetogotouselessexpenseoverlawproceedings。Ihavereceivednoanswertomyletterofthe10thofMaylast。Youmustnot，therefore，takeitamissifIaskforimmediaterepaymentofthethreebillsandtheexpensestowhichIhavebeenput——Yours，etc。，“METIVIER。”
　　Evehadheardnothingduringthesemonths，andsupposed，inherignoranceofcommerciallaw，thatherbrotherhadmadereparationforhissinsbymeetingtheforgedbills。
　　“Bequick，andgoatoncetoPetit-Claud，dear。”shesaid；“tellhimaboutit，andaskhisadvice。”
　　Davidhurriedtohisschoolfellow’soffice。
　　“Whenyoucametotellmeofyourappointmentandofferedmeyourservices，IdidnotthinkthatIshouldneedthemsosoon。”hesaid。
　　Petit-Claudstudiedthefinefaceofthismanwhosatoppositehimintheofficechair，andscarcelylistenedtothedetailsofthecase，forheknewmoreofthemalreadythanthespeaker。AssoonashesawSechard’sanxiety，hesaidtohimself，“Thetrickhassucceeded。”
　　Thiskindofcomedyisoftenplayedinanattorney’soffice。“WhyaretheCointetspersecutinghim？“Petit-Claudwonderedwithinhimself，fortheattorneycanusehiswittoreadhisclients’thoughtsasclearlyastheideasoftheiropponents，anditishisbusinesstoseebothsidesofthejudicialweb。
　　“Youwanttogaintime。”hesaidatlast，whenSechardhadcometoanend。“Howlongdoyouwant？Somethinglikethreeorfourmonths？“
　　“Oh！fourmonths！thatwouldbemysalvation。”exclaimedDavid。Petit-
　　Claudappearedtohimasanangel。
　　“Verywell。Nooneshalllayhandsonanyofyourfurniture，andnooneshallarrestyouforfourmonths——Butitwillcostyouagreatdeal。”saidPetit-Claud。
　　“Eh！whatdoesthatmattertome？“criedSechard。
　　“Youareexpectingsomemoneytocomein；butareyousureofit？“
　　askedPetit-Claud，astonishedatthewayinwhichhisclientwalkedintothetoils。
　　“Inthreemonths’timeIshallhaveplentyofmoney。”saidtheinventor，withaninventor’shopefulconfidence。
　　“Yourfatherisstillaboveground。”suggestedPetit-Claud；“heisinnohurrytoleavehisvines。”
　　“DoyouthinkthatIamcountingonmyfather’sdeath？“returnedDavid。“Iamonthetrackofatradesecret，thesecretofmakingasheetofpaperasstrongasDutchpaper，withoutathreadofcottoninit，andatacostoffiftypercentlessthancottonpulp。”
　　“Thereisafortuneinthat！“exclaimedPetit-Claud。HeknewnowwhatthetallCointetmeant。
　　“Alargefortune，myfriend，forintenyears’timethedemandforpaperwillbetentimeslargerthanitisto-day。Journalismwillbethecrazeofourday。”
　　“Nobodyknowsyoursecret？“
　　“Nobodyexceptmywife。”
　　“Youhavenottoldanyonewhatyoumeantodo——theCointets，forexample？“
　　“Ididsaysomethingaboutit，butingeneralterms，Ithink。”
　　AsuddensparkofgenerosityflashedthroughPetit-Claud’srancoroussoul；hetriedtoreconcileSechard’sinterestswiththeCointet’sprojectsandhisown。
　　“Listen，David，weareoldschoolfellows，youandI；Iwillfightyourcase；butunderstandthisclearly——thedefence，intheteethofthelaw，willcostyoufiveorsixthousandfrancs！Donotcompromiseyourprospects。Ithinkyouwillbecompelledtosharetheprofitsofyourinventionwithsomeoneofourpapermanufacturers。Letusseenow。
　　Youwillthinktwicebeforeyoubuyorbuildapapermill；andthereisthecostofthepatentbesides。Allthismeanstime，andmoneytoo。
　　Theserversofwritswillbedownuponyoutoosoon，perhaps，althoughwearegoingtogivethemtheslip——“
　　“Ihavemysecret。”saidDavid，withthesimplicityofthemanofbooks。
　　“Wellandgood，yoursecretwillbeyourplankofsafety。”saidPetit-
　　Claud；hisfirstloyalintentionofavoidingalawsuitbyacompromisewasfrustrated。“Idonotwishtoknowit；butmindthisthatItellyou。Workinthebowelsoftheearthifyoucan，sothatnoonemaywatchyouandgainahintfromyourwaysofworking，oryourplankwillbestolenfromunderyourfeet。Aninventorandasimpletonoftenliveinthesameskin。Yourmindrunssomuchonyoursecretsthatyoucannotthinkofeverything。Peoplewillbegintohavetheirsuspicionsatlast，andtheplaceisfullofpapermanufacturers。Somanymanufacturers，somanyenemiesforyou！Youarelikeabeaverwiththehuntersaboutyou；donotgivethemyourskin——“
　　“Thankyou，dearfellow，Ihavetoldmyselfallthis。”exclaimedSechard，“butIamobligedtoyouforshowingsomuchconcernformeandforyourforethought。Itdoesnotreallymattertomemyself。Anincomeoftwelvehundredfrancswouldbeenoughforme，andmyfatheroughtbyrightstoleavemethreetimesasmuchsomeday。Loveandthoughtmakeupmylife——adivinelife。IamworkingforLucien’ssakeandformywife’s。”
　　“Come，givemethispowerofattorney，andthinkofnothingbutyourdiscovery。Ifthereshouldbeanydangerofarrest，Iwillletyouknowintime，forwemustthinkofallpossibilities。Andletmetellyouagaintoallownooneofwhomyouarenotsosureasyouareofyourselftocomeintoyourplace。”
　　“Cerizetdidnotcaretocontinuetheleaseoftheplantandpremises，henceourlittlemoneydifficulties。WehavenooneathomenowbutMarionandKolb，anAlsacienastrustyasadog，andmywifeandhermother——“
　　“Oneword。”saidPetit-Claud，“don’ttrustthatdog——“
　　“Youdonotknowhim。”exclaimedDavid；“heislikeasecondself。”
　　“MayItryhim？“
　　“Yes。”saidSechard。
　　“There，good-bye，butsendMme。Sechardtome；Imusthaveapowerofattorneyfromyourwife。Andbearinmind，myfriend，thatthereisafireburninginyouraffairs。”saidPetit-Claud，bywayofwarningofallthetroublesgatheringinthelawcourtstoburstuponDavid’shead。
　　“HereamIwithonefootinBurgundyandtheotherinChampagne。”headdedtohimselfasheclosedtheofficedooronDavid。
　　Harassedbymoneydifficulties，besetwithfearsforhiswife’shealth，stungtothequickbyLucien’sdisgrace，Davidhadworkedonathisproblem。Hehadbeentryingtofindasingleprocesstoreplacethevariousoperationsofpoundingandmacerationtowhichallflaxorcottonorrags，anyvegetablefibre，infact，mustbesubjected；andashewenttoPetit-Claud’soffice，heabstractedlychewedabitofnettlestalkthathadbeensteepinginwater。Onhiswayhome，tolerablysatisfiedwithhisinterview，hefeltalittlepelletstickingbetweenhisteeth。Helaiditonhishand，flatteneditout，andsawthatthepulpwasfarsuperiortoanypreviousresult。Thewantofcohesionisthegreatdrawbackofallvegetablefibre；straw，forinstance，yieldsaverybrittlepaper，whichmayalmostbecalledmetallicandresonant。ThesechancesonlybefallboldinquirersintoNature’smethods！
　　“Now。”saidhetohimself，“ImustcontrivetodobymachineryandsomechemicalagencythethingthatImyselfhavedoneunconsciously。”
　　Whenhiswifesawhim，hisfacewasradiantwithbeliefinvictory。
　　ThereweretracesoftearsinEve’sface。
　　“Oh！mydarling，donottroubleyourself；Petit-Claudwillguaranteethatweshallnotbemolestedforseveralmonthstocome。Therewillbeagooddealofexpenseoverit；but，asPetit-Claudsaidwhenhecametothedoorwithme，’AFrenchmanhasarighttokeephiscreditorswaiting，providedherepaysthemcapital，interest，andcosts。’——Verywell，then，weshalldothat——“
　　“Andlivemeanwhile？“askedpoorEve，whothoughtofeverything。
　　“Ah！thatistrue。”saidDavid，carryinghishandtohisearaftertheunaccountablefashionofmostperplexedmortals。
　　“MotherwilllookafterlittleLucien，andIcangobacktoworkagain。”saidshe。
　　“Eve！oh，myEve！“criedDavid，holdinghiswifecloselytohim——“AtSaintes，notveryfarfromhere，inthesixteenthcentury，therelivedoneoftheverygreatestofFrenchmen，forhewasnotmerelytheinventorofglaze，hewasthegloriousprecursorofBuffonandCuvierbesides；hewasthefirstgeologist，good，simplesoulthathewas。
　　BernardPalissyenduredthemartyrdomappointedforallseekersintosecretsbuthiswifeandchildrenandallhisneighborswereagainsthim。Hiswifeusedtosellhistools；nobodyunderstoodhim，hewanderedaboutthecountryside，hewashunteddown，theyjeeredathim。ButI——amloved——“
　　“Dearlyloved！“saidEve，withthequietserenityofthelovethatissureofitself。
　　“AndsomaywellendureallthatpoorBernardPalissysuffered——
　　BernardPalissy，thediscovererofEcouenware，theHuguenotexceptedbyCharlesIX。onthedayofSaint-Bartholomew。Helivedtoberichandhonoredinhisoldage，andlecturedonthe’ScienceofEarths，’
　　ashecalledit，inthefaceofEurope。”
　　“Solongasmyfingerscanholdaniron，youshallwantfornothing。”
　　criedthepoorwife，intonesthattoldofthedeepestdevotion。“WhenIwasMme。Prieur’sforewomanIhadafriendamongthegirls，BasineClerget，acousinofPostel’s，averygoodchild；well，Basinetoldmetheotherdaywhenshebroughtbackthelinen，thatshewastakingMme。Prieur’sbusiness；Iwillworkforher。”
　　“Ah！youshallnotworkthereforlong。”saidDavid；“Ihavefoundout——“
　　Eve，watchinghisface，sawthesublimebeliefinsuccesswhichsustainstheinventor，thebeliefthatgiveshimcouragetogoforthintothevirginforestsofthecountryofDiscovery；and，forthefirsttimeinherlife，sheansweredthatconfidentlookwithahalf-
　　sadsmile。Davidbenthisheadmournfully。
　　“Oh！mydear！Iamnotlaughing！Ididnotdoubt！Itwasnotasneer！“
　　criedEve，onherkneesbeforeherhusband。“ButIseeplainlynowthatyouwererighttotellmenothingaboutyourexperimentsandyourhopes。Ah！yes，dear，aninventorshouldendurethelongpainfultravailofagreatideaalone，heshouldnotutterawordofiteventohiswife……Awomanisawomanstill。ThisEveofyourscouldnothelpsmilingwhensheheardyousay，’Ihavefoundout，’fortheseventeenthtimethismonth。”
　　DavidburstoutlaughingsoheartilyathisownexpensethatEvecaughthishandinhersandkisseditreverently。Itwasadeliciousmomentforthemboth，oneofthoserosesofloveandtendernessthatgrowbesidethedesertpathsofthebitterestpoverty，nay，attimesinyetdarkerdepths。
　　Asthestormofmisfortunegrew，Eve’scourageredoubled；thegreatnessofherhusband’snature，hisinventor’ssimplicity，thetearsthatnowandagainshesawintheeyesofthisdreamerofdreamswiththetenderheart，——allthesethingsarousedinheranunsuspectedenergyofresistance。Onceagainshetriedtheplanthathadsucceededsowellalready。ShewrotetoM。Metivier，remindinghimthattheprintingofficewasforsale，offeredtopayhimoutoftheproceeds，andbeggedhimnottoruinDavidwithneedlesscosts。Metivierreceivedtheheroicletter，andshammeddead。Hishead-clerkrepliedthatintheabsenceofM。Metivierhecouldnottakeituponhimselftostayproceedings，forhisemployerhadmadeitaruletoletthelawtakeitscourse。Evewroteagain，offeringthistimetorenewthebillsandpayallthecostshithertoincurred。Tothistheclerkconsented，providedthatSechardseniorguaranteedpayment。SoEvewalkedovertoMarsac，takingKolbandhermotherwithher。Shebravedtheoldvinedresser，andsocharmingwasshe，thattheoldman’sfacerelaxed，andthepuckerssmoothedoutatthesightofher；butwhen，withinwardquakings，shecametospeakofaguarantee，shebeheldasuddenandcompletechangeofthetippleographiccountenance。
　　“IfIallowedmysontoputhishandtothelipsofmycashboxwheneverhehadamind，hewouldplungeitdeepintothevitals，hewouldtakeallIhave！“criedoldSechard。“Thatisthewaywithchildren；theyeatuptheirparents’purse。WhatdidIdomyself，eh？
　　_I_nevercostmyparentsafarthing。Yourprintingofficeisstandingidle。Theratsandthemicedoalltheprintingthatisdoneinit……Youhaveaprettyface；Iamveryfondofyou；youareacareful，hard-workingwoman；butthatsonofmine！——DoyouknowwhatDavidis？I’lltellyou——heisascholarthatwillneverdoastrokeofwork！IfIhadrearedhim，asIwasrearedmyself，withoutknowinghisletters，andifIhadmadea’bear’ofhim，likehisfatherbeforehim，hewouldhavemoneysavedandputouttointerestbynow……
　　Oh！heismycross，thatfellowis，lookyou！And，unluckily，heisallthefamilyIhave，forthereisneverliketobealateredition。
　　Andwhenhemakesyouunhappy——“
　　Eveprotestedwithavehementgestureofdenial。
　　“Yes，hedoes。”affirmedoldSechard；“youhadtofindawet-nurseforthechild。Come，come，Iknowallaboutit，youareinthecountycourt，andthewholetownistalkingaboutyou。Iwasonlya’bear，’
　　_I_havenobooklearning，_I_wasnotforemanattheDidots’，thefirstprintersintheworld；butyetIneverseteyesonabitofstampedpaper。DoyouknowwhatIsaytomyselfasIgotoandfroamongmyvines，lookingafterthemandgettinginmyvintage，anddoingmybitsofbusiness？——Isaytomyself，’Youaretakingalotoftrouble，pooroldchap；workingtopileonesilvercrownonanother，youwillleaveafinepropertybehindyou，andthebailiffsandthelawyerswillgetitall；……orelseitwillgoinnonsensicalnotionsandcrotchets。’——Lookyouhere，child；youarethemotherofyonderlittlelad；itseemedtomeasIheldhimatthefontwithMme。
　　ChardonthatIcouldseehisoldgrandfather’scoppernoseonhisface；verywell，thinklessofSechardandmoreofthatlittlerascal。
　　Icantrustnoonebutyou；youwillpreventhimfromsquanderingmyproperty——mypoorproperty。”
　　“But，dearpapaSechard，yoursonwillbeacredittoyou，youwillsee；hewillmakemoneyandbearichmanoneofthesedays，andweartheCrossoftheLegionofHonorathisbuttonhole。”
　　“Whatishegoingtodotogetit？“
　　“Youwillsee。But，meanwhile，wouldathousandcrownsruinyou？A
　　thousandcrownswouldputanendtotheproceedings。Well，ifyoucannottrusthim，lendthemoneytome；Iwillpayitback；youcouldmakeitachargeonmyportion，onmyearnings——“
　　“ThenhassomeonebroughtDavidintoacourtoflaw？“criedthevinedresser，amazedtofindthatthegossipwasreallytrue。“Seewhatcomesofknowinghowtowriteyourname！Andhowaboutmyrent！Oh！
　　littlegirl，ImustgotoAngoulemeatonceandaskCachan’sadvice，andseethatIamstraight。Youdidrightwelltocomeover。
　　Forewarnedisforearmed。”
　　AftertwohoursofargumentEvewasfaintogo，defeatedbytheunanswerabledictum，“Womenneverunderstandbusiness。”Shehadcomewithafainthope，shewentbackagainalmostheartbroken，andreachedhomejustintimetoreceivenoticeofjudgment；SechardmustpayMetivierinfull。Theappearanceofabailiffatahousedoorisaneventinacountrytown，andDoublonhadcomefartoooftenoflate。
　　ThewholeneighborhoodwastalkingabouttheSechards。Evedarednotleaveherhouse；shedreadedtohearthewhispersasshepassed。
　　“Oh！mybrother，mybrother！“criedpoorEve，asshehurriedintothepassageandupthestairs，“Icanneverforgiveyou，unlessitwas——“
　　“Alas！itwasthat，orsuicide。”saidDavid，whohadfollowedher。
　　“Letussaynomoreaboutit。”shesaidquietly。“ThewomanwhodraggedhimdownintothedepthsofParishasmuchtoanswerfor；andyourfather，myDavid，isquiteinexorable！Letusbearitinsilence。”
　　AdiscreetrappingatthedoorcutshortsomewordofloveonDavid’slips。Marionappeared，towingthebig，burlyKolbafterheracrosstheouterroom。
　　“Madame。”saidMarion，“wehaveknown，KolbandI，thatyouandthemasterwereverymuchputabout；andaswehaveelevenhundredfrancsofsavingsbetweenus，wethoughtwecouldnotdobetterthanputtheminthemistress’hands——“
　　“Diemisdress。”echoedKolbfervently。
　　“Kolb。”criedDavid，“youandIwillneverpart。PayathousandfrancsonaccounttoMaitreCachan，andtakeareceiptforit；wewillkeeptherest。And，Kolb，nopoweronearthmustextractawordfromyouastomywork，ormyabsencesfromhome，orthethingsyoumayseemebringback；andifIsendyoutolookforplantsforme，youknow，nohumanbeingmustseteyesonyou。Theywilltrytocorruptyou，mygoodKolb；theywillofferyouthousands，perhapstensofthousandsoffrancs，totell——“
　　“Deymayoffermemillions。”criedKolb，“butnoteinvortfrommeshalldeytraw。HafInotpeeninderarmy，andknowmyorders？“
　　“Well，youarewarned。March，andaskM。Petit-Claudtogowithyouaswitness。”
　　“Yes。”saidtheAlsacien。“SometayIhopetoberichenoughtodustderchacketofdatmanoflaw。Idon’tlikehisgountenance。”
　　“Kolbisagoodman，madame。”saidBigMarion；“heisasstrongasaTurk，andasmeekasalamb。Justtheonethatwouldmakeawomanhappy。Itwashisnotion，too，toinvestoursavingsthisway——
　　’safings，’ashecallsthem。Poorman，ifhedoesn’tspeakright，hethinksright，andIunderstandhimallthesame。Hehasanotionofworkingforsomebodyelse，soastosaveushiskeep——“
　　“Surelyweshallberich，ifitisonlytorepaythesegoodfolk。”
　　saidDavid，lookingathiswife。
　　Evethoughtitquitesimple；itwasnosurprisetohertofindothernaturesonalevelwithherown。Thedullest——nay，themostindifferent——observercouldhaveseenallthebeautyofhernatureinherwayofreceivingthisservice。
　　“Youwillberichsomeday，dearmaster。”saidMarion；“yourbreadisreadybaked。Yourfatherhasjustboughtanotherfarm，heisputtingbymoneyforyou；thatheis。”
　　Andunderthecircumstances，didnotMarionshowanexquisitedelicacyoffeelingbybelittling，asitwere，herkindnessinthisway？
　　Frenchprocedure，likeallthingshuman，hasitsdefects；
　　nevertheless，theswordofjustice，beingatwo-edgedweapon，isexcellentlyadaptedalikeforattackordefence。Procedure，moreover，hasitsamusingside；forwhenopposed，lawyersarriveatanunderstanding，astheywellmaydo，withoutexchangingaword；throughtheirmannerofconductingtheircase，asuitbecomesakindofwarwagedonthelineslaiddownbythefirstMarshalBiron，who，atthesiegeofRouen，itmayberemembered，receivedhisson’sprojectfortakingthecityintwodayswiththeremark，“Youmustbeinagreathurrytogoandplantcabbages！“Lettwocommanders-in-chiefsparetheirtroopsasmuchaspossible，letthemimitatetheAustriangeneralswhogivethementimetoeattheirsoupthoughtheyfailtoeffectajuncture，andescapereprimandfromtheAulicCouncil；letthemavoidalldecisivemeasures，andtheyshallcarryonawarforever。MaitreCachan，Petit-Claud，andDoublon，didbetterthantheAustriangenerals；theytookfortheirexampleQuintusFabiusCunctator——theAustrianofantiquity。
　　Petit-Claud，malignantasamule，wasnotlonginfindingoutalltheadvantagesofhisposition。NosoonerhadBonifaceCointetguaranteedhiscoststhanhevowedtoleadCachanadance，andtodazzlethepapermanufacturerwithabrilliantdisplayofgeniusinthecreationofitemstobechargedtoMetivier。UnluckilyforthefameoftheyoungforensicFigaro，thewriterofthishistoryisobligedtopassoverthesceneofhisexploitsinasgreatahurryasifhetrodonburningcoals；butasinglebillofcosts，intheshapeofthespecimensentfromParis，willnodoubtsufficeforthestudentofcontemporarymanners。LetusfollowtheexamplesetusbytheBulletinsoftheGrandeArmee，andgiveasummaryofPetit-Claud’svaliantfeatsandexploitsintheprovinceofpurelaw；theywillbethebetterappreciatedforconcisetreatment。
　　DavidSechardwassummonedbeforetheTribunalofCommerceatAngoulemeforthe3rdofJuly，madedefault，andnoticeofjudgmentwasservedonthe8th。Onthe10th，Doublonobtainedanexecutionwarrant，andattemptedtoputinanexecutiononthe12th。OnthisPetit-Claudappliedforaninterpleadersummons，andservednoticeonMetivierforthatdayfortnight。Metiviermadeapplicationforahearingwithoutdelay，andonthe19th，Sechard’sapplicationwasdismissed。Harduponthisfollowednoticeofjudgment，authorizingtheissueofanexecutionwarrantonthe22nd，awarrantofarrestonthe23rd，andbailiff’sinventoryprevioustotheexecutiononthe24th。
　　Metivier，Doublon，Cachan&Companywereproceedingatthisfuriouspace，whenPetit-Claudsuddenlypulledthemup，andstayedexecutionbylodgingnoticeofappealontheCourt-Royal。Noticeofappeal，dulyreiteratedonthe25thofJuly，drewMetivierofftoPoitiers。
　　“Come！“saidPetit-Claudtohimself，“therewearelikelytostopforsometimetocome。”
　　NosoonerwasthestormpassedovertoPoitiers，andanattorneypractisingintheCourt-Royalinstructedtodefendthecase，thanPetit-Claud，achampionfacingbothways，madeapplicationinMme。
　　Sechard’snamefortheimmediateseparationofherestatefromherhusband’s；using“alldiligence“inlegallanguagetosuchpurpose，thatheobtainedanorderfromthecourtonthe28th，andinsertednoticeatonceintheCharenteCourier。NowDavidtheloverhadsettledtenthousandfrancsuponhiswifeinthemarriagecontract，makingovertoherassecuritythefixturesoftheprintingofficeandthehouseholdfurniture；andPetit-ClaudthereforeconstitutedMme。
　　Sechardherhusband’screditorforthatsmallamount，drawingupastatementofherclaimsontheestateinthepresenceofanotaryonthe1stofAugust。
　　WhilePetit-Claudwasbusysecuringthehouseholdpropertyofhisclients，hegainedthedayatPoitiersonthepointoflawonwhichthedemurrerandappealswerebased。Heheldthat，asthecourtoftheSeinehadorderedtheplaintifftopaycostsofproceedingsinthePariscommercialcourt，DavidwassomuchthelessliableforexpensesoflitigationincurreduponLucien’saccount。TheCourt-Royaltookthisviewofthecase，andjudgmentwasenteredaccordingly。DavidSechardwasorderedtopaytheamountindisputeintheAngoulemeCourt，lessthelawexpensesincurredinParis；theseMetiviermustpay，andeachsidemustbearitsowncostsintheappealtotheCourt-
　　Royal。
　　DavidSechardwasdulynotifiedoftheresultonthe17thofAugust。
　　Onthe18ththejudgmenttookthepracticalshapeofanordertopaycapital，interest，andcosts，followedupbynoticeofanexecutionforthemorrow。UponthisPetit-Claudintervenedandputinaclaimforthefurnitureasthewife’spropertydulyseparatedfromherhusband’s；andwhatwasmore，Petit-ClaudproducedSechardsenioruponthesceneofaction。Theoldvinegrowerhadbecomehisclientonthiswise。HecametoAngoulemeonthedayafterEve’svisit，andwenttoMaitreCachanforadvice。Hissonowedhimarrearsofrent；howcouldhecomebythisrentinthescrimmageinwhichhissonwasengaged？
　　“Iamengagedbytheotherside。”pronouncedCachan，“andIcannotappearforthefatherwhenIamsuingtheson；butgotoPetit-Claud，heisveryclever，hemayperhapsdoevenbetterforyouthanIshoulddo。”
　　CachanandPetit-ClaudmetattheCourt。
　　“IhavesentyouSechardsenior。”saidCachan；“takethecaseformeinexchange。”LawyersdoeachotherservicesofthiskindincountrytownsaswellasinParis。
　　ThedayafterSechardseniorgavePetit-Claudhisconfidence，thetallCointetpaidavisittohisconfederate。
　　“TrytogiveoldSechardalesson。”hesaid。“Heisthekindofmanthatwillneverforgivehissonforcostinghimathousandfrancsorso；theoutlaywilldryupanygenerousthoughtsinhismind，ifheeverhasany。”
　　“Gobacktoyourvines。”saidPetit-Claudtohisnewclient。“Yoursonisnotverywelloff；donoteathimoutofhouseandhome。Iwillsendforyouwhenthetimecomes。”
　　OnbehalfofSechardsenior，therefore，Petit-Claudclaimedthatthepresses，beingfixtures，weresomuchthemoretoberegardedastoolsandimplementsoftrade，andthelessliabletoseizure，inthatthehousehadbeenaprintingofficesincethereignofLouisXIV。Cachan，onMetivier’saccount，waxedindignantatthis。InParisLucien’sfurniturehadbelongedtoCoralie，andhereagaininAngoulemeDavid’sgoodsandchattelsallbelongedtohiswifeorhisfather；prettythingsweresaidincourt。Fatherandsonweresummoned；suchclaimscouldnotbeallowedtostand。
　　“Wemeantounmaskthefraudsintrenchedbehindbadfaithofthemostformidablekind；hereisthedefenceofdishonestybristlingwiththeplainestandmostinnocentarticlesoftheCode，andwhy？——toavoidrepaymentofthreethousandfrancs；obtainedhow？——frompoorMetivier’scashbox！Andyettherearethosewhodaretosayawordagainstbill-discounters！Whattimeswelivein！……Now，Iputittoyou——whatisthisbuttakingyourneighbor’smoney？……Youwillsurelynotsanctionaclaimwhichwouldbringimmoralitytotheverycoreofjustice！“
　　Cachan’seloquenceproducedaneffectonthecourt。AdividedjudgmentwasgiveninfavorofMme。Sechard，thehousefurniturebeingheldtobeherproperty；andagainstSechardsenior，whowasorderedtopaycosts——fourhundredandthirty-fourfrancs，sixty-fivecentimes。
　　“ItiskindofoldSechard。”laughedthelawyers；“hewouldhaveafingerinthepie，solethimpay！“
　　Noticeofjudgmentwasgivenonthe26thofAugust；thepressesandplantcouldbeseizedonthe28th。Placardswereposted。Applicationwasmadeforanorderempoweringthemtosellonthespot。
　　Announcementsofthesaleappearedinthepapers，andDoublonflatteredhimselfthattheinventoryshouldbeverifiedandtheauctiontakeplaceonthe2ndofSeptember。
　　BythistimeDavidSechardowedMetivierfivethousandtwohundredandseventy-fivefrancs，twenty-fivecentimestosaynothingofinterest，byformaljudgmentconfirmedbyappeal，thebillofcostshavingbeendulytaxed。LikewisetoPetit-Claudheowedtwelvehundredfrancs，exclusiveofthefees，whichwerelefttoDavid’sgenerositywiththegenerousconfidencedisplayedbythehackneycoachmanwhohasdrivenyousoquicklyovertheroadonwhichyoudesiretogo。
　　Mme。SechardowedPetit-Claudsomethinglikethreehundredandfiftyfrancsandfeesbesides；andofoldSechard，besidesfourhundredandthirty-fourfrancs，sixty-fivecentimes，thelittleattorneydemandedahundredcrownsbywayoffee。Altogether，theSechardfamilyowedabouttenthousandfrancs。Thisiswhatiscalled“puttingfireintothebedstraw。”
　　ApartfromtheutilityofthesedocumentstoothernationswhothusmaybeholdthebatteryofFrenchlawinaction，theFrenchlegislatoroughttoknowthelengthstowhichtheabuseofproceduremaybecarried，alwayssupposingthatthesaidlegislatorcanfindtimeforreading。Surelysomesortofregulationmightbedevised，somewayofforbiddinglawyerstocarryonacaseuntilthesumindisputeismorethaneatenupincosts？Istherenotsomethingludicrousintheideaofsubmittingasquareyardofsoilandanestateofthousandsofacrestothesamelegalformalities？ThesebareoutlinesofthehistoryofthevariousstagesofprocedureshouldopentheeyesofFrenchmentothemeaningofthewords“legalformalities，justice，andcosts。”littleastheimmensemajorityofthenationsknowaboutthem。
　　Fivethousandpounds’weightoftypeintheprintingofficewereworthtwothousandfrancsasoldmetal；thethreepresseswerevaluedatsixhundredfrancs；therestoftheplantwouldfetchthepriceofoldironandfirewood。Thehouseholdfurniturewouldhavebroughtinathousandfrancsatmost。ThewholepersonalpropertyofSechardjuniorthereforerepresentedthesumoffourthousandfrancs；andCachanandPetit-Claudmadeclaimsforseventhousandfrancsincostsalreadyincurred，tosaynothingofexpensestocome，fortheblossomgavepromiseoffinefruitsenough，asthereaderwillshortlysee。SurelythelawyersofFranceandNavarre，nay，evenofNormandyherself，willnotrefusePetit-Claudhismeedofadmirationandrespect？Surely，too，kindheartswillgiveMarionandKolbatearofsympathy？
　　AllthroughthewarKolbsatonachairinthedoorway，actingaswatch-dog，whenDavidhadnothingelseforhimtodo。ItwasKolbwhoreceivedallthenotifications，andaclerkofPetit-Claud’skeptwatchoverKolb。NosoonerweretheplacardsannouncingtheauctionputuponthepremisesthanKolbtorethemdown；hehurriedroundthetownafterthebill-poster，tearingtheplacardsfromthewalls。
　　“Ah，scountrels！“hecried，“todormentsogootaman；andtheycallsitchustice！“
　　Marionmadehalfafrancadaybyworkinghalftimeinapapermillasamachinetender，andherwagescontributedtothesupportofthehousehold。Mme。Chardonwentbackuncomplaininglytoheroldoccupation，sittingupnightafternight，andbringinghomeherwagesattheendoftheweek。PoorMme。Chardon！Twicealreadyshehadmadeaninedays’prayerforthosesheloved，wonderingthatGodshouldbedeaftoherpetitions，andblindtothelightofthecandlesonHisaltar。
　　Onthe2ndofSeptember，alettercamefromLucien，thefirstsincetheletterofthewinter，whichDavidhadkeptfromhiswife’sknowledge——theannouncementofthethreebillswhichboreDavid’ssignature。ThistimeLucienwrotetoEve。
　　“Thethirdsinceheleftus！“shesaid。Poorsister，shewasafraidtoopentheenvelopethatcoveredthefatalsheet。
　　Shewasfeedingthelittleonewhenthepostcamein；theycouldnotaffordawet-nursenow，andthechildwasbeingbroughtupbyhand。
　　Herstateofmindmaybeimagined，andDavid’salso，whenhehadbeenrousedtoreadtheletter，forDavidhadbeenatworkallnight，andonlylaydownatdaybreak。
　　LucientoEve。
　　“PARIS，August29th。
　　“MYDEARSISTER，——Twodaysago，atfiveo’clockinthemorning，oneofGod’snoblestcreaturesbreathedherlastinmyarms；shewastheonewomanonearthcapableoflovingmeasyouandmotherandDavidloveme，givingmebesidesthatunselfishaffection，somethingthatneithermothernorsistercangive——theutmostblissoflove。PoorCoralie，aftergivingupeverythingformysake，mayperhapshavediedforme——forme，whoatthismomenthavenotthewherewithaltoburyher。Shecouldhavesolacedmylife；you，andyoualone，mydeargoodangels，canconsolemeforherdeath。Godhasforgivenher，Ithink，theinnocentgirl，forshediedlikeaChristian。Oh，thisParis！Eve，ParisisthegloryandtheshameofFrance。ManyillusionsIhavelostherealready，andIhaveothersyettolose，whenIbegintobegforthelittlemoneyneededbeforeIcanlaythebodyofmyangelinconsecratedearth。
　　“Yourunhappybrother，“Lucien。”
　　“P。S。Imusthavegivenyoumuchtroublebymyheedlessness；somedayyouwillknowall，andyouwillforgiveme。Youmustbequiteeasynow；aworthymerchant，aM。Camusot，towhomIoncecausedcruelpangs，promisedtoarrangeeverything，seeingthatCoralieandIweresomuchdistressed。”
　　“Thesheetisstillmoistwithhistears。”saidEve，lookingattheletterwithaheartsofullofsympathythatsomethingoftheoldloveforLucienshoneinhereyes。
　　“Poorfellow，hemusthavesufferedcruellyifhehasbeenlovedashesays！“exclaimedEve’shusband，happyinhislove；andthesetwoforgotalltheirowntroublesatthiscryofasupremesorrow。JustatthatmomentMarionrushedin。
　　“Madame。”shepanted，“heretheyare！Heretheyare！“
　　“Whoishere？“
　　“Doublonandhismen，badlucktothem！Kolbwillnotletthemcomein；theyhavecometosellusup。”
　　“No，no，theyarenotgoingtosellyouup，neverfear。”criedavoiceinthenextroom，andPetit-Claudappeareduponthescene。“Ihavejustlodgednoticeofappeal。Weoughtnottositdownunderajudgmentthatattachesastigmaofbadfaithtous。Ididnotthinkitworthwhiletofightthecasehere。IletCachantalktogaintimeforyou；IamsureofgainingthedayatPoitiers——“
　　“Buthowmuchwillitcosttowintheday？“askedMme。Sechard。
　　“Feesifyouwin，onethousandfrancsifweloseourcase。”
　　“Oh，dear！“criedpoorEve；“why，theremedyisworsethanthedisease！“
　　Petit-Claudwasnotalittleconfusedatthiscryofinnocenceenlightenedbytheprogressoftheflamesoflitigation。ItstruckhimtoothatEvewasaverybeautifulwoman。InthemiddleofthediscussionoldSechardarrived，summonedbyPetit-Claud。Theoldman’spresenceinthechamberwherehislittlegrandsoninthecradlelaysmilingatmisfortunecompletedthescene。Theyoungattorneyatonceaddressedthenewcomerwith：
　　“Youowemesevenhundredfrancsfortheinterpleader，PapaSechard；
　　butyoucanchargetheamounttoyoursoninadditiontothearrearsofrent。”
　　ThevinedresserfeltthestingofthesarcasmconveyedbyPetit-
　　Claud’stoneandmanner。
　　“Itwouldhavecostyoulesstogivesecurityforthedebtatfirst。”
　　saidEve，leavingthecradletogreetherfather-in-lawwithakiss。
　　David，quiteovercomebythesightofthecrowdoutsidethehouseforKolb’sresistancetoDoublon’smenhadcollectedaknotofpeople，couldonlyholdoutahandtohisfather；hedidnotsayaword。
　　“Andhow，pray，doIcometooweyousevenhundredfrancs？“theoldmanasked，lookingatPetit-Claud。
　　“Why，inthefirstplace，Iamengagedbyyou。Yourrentisinquestion；so，asfarasIamconcerned，youandourdebtorareoneandthesameperson。Ifyoursondoesnotpaymycostsinthecase，youmustpaythemyourself——Butthisisnothing。InafewhoursDavidwillbeputinprison；willyouallowhimtogo？“
　　“Whatdoesheowe？“
　　“Somethinglikefiveorsixthousandfrancs，besidestheamountsowingtoyouandtohiswife。”
　　Thespeechrousedalltheoldman’ssuspicionsatonce。Helookedroundthelittleblue-and-whitebedroomatthetouchingscenebeforehiseyes——atabeautifulwomanweepingoveracradle，atDavidboweddownbyanxieties，andthenagainatthelawyer。Thiswasatrapsetforhimbythatlawyer；perhapstheywantedtoworkuponhispaternalfeelings，togetmoneyoutofhim？Thatwaswhatitallmeant。Hetookalarm。Hewentovertothecradleandfondledthechild，whoheldoutbothlittlearmstohim。NoheirtoanEnglishpeeragecouldbemoretenderlycaredforthanthislittleoneinthathouseoftrouble；hislittleembroideredcapwaslinedwithpalepink。
　　“Eh！letDavidgetoutofitasbesthemay。Iamthinkingofthischildhere。”criedtheoldgrandfather，“andthechild’smotherwillapproveofthat。Davidthatknowssomuchmustknowhowtopayhisdebts。”
　　“NowIwilljustputyourmeaningintoplainlanguage。”saidPetit-
　　Claudironically。“Lookhere，PapaSechard，youarejealousofyourson。Hearthetruth！youputDavidintohispresentpositionbysellingthebusinesstohimforthreetimesitsvalue。Youruinedhimtomakeanextortionatebargain！Yes，don’tyoushakeyourhead；yousoldthenewspapertotheCointetsandpocketedalltheproceeds，andthatwasasmuchasthewholebusinesswasworth。YoubearDavidagrudge，notmerelybecauseyouhaveplunderedhim，butbecause，also，yourownsonisamanfaraboveyourself。Youprofesstobeprodigiouslyfondofyourgrandson，tocloakyourwantoffeelingforyoursonandhiswife，becauseyououghttopaydownmoneyhicetnuncforthem，whileyouneedonlyshowaposthumousaffectionforyourgrandson。Youpretendtobefondofthelittlefellow，lestyoushouldbetaxedwithwantoffeelingforyourownfleshandblood。Thatisthebottomofit，PapaSechard。”
　　“Didyoufetchmeovertohearthis？“askedtheoldman，gloweringathislawyer，hisdaughter-in-law，andhissoninturn。
　　“Monsieur！“protestedpoorEve，turningtoPetit-Claud，“haveyouvowedtoruinus？Myhusbandhadneverutteredawordagainsthisfather。”Heretheoldmanlookedcunninglyather。“Davidhastoldmescoresoftimesthatyoulovedhiminyourway。”sheadded，lookingatherfather-in-law，andunderstandinghissuspicions。
　　Petit-ClaudwasonlyfollowingoutthetallCointet’sinstructions。Hewaswideningthebreachbetweenthefatherandson，lestSechardseniorshouldextricateDavidfromhisintolerableposition。“ThedaythatDavidSechardgoestoprisonshallbethedayofyourintroductiontoMme。deSenonches。”the“tallCointet“hadsaidnolongeragothanyesterday。
　　Mme。Sechard，withthequickinsightoflove，haddivinedPetit-
　　Claud’smercenaryhostility，evenasshehadoncebeforefeltinstinctivelythatCerizetwasatraitor。AsforDavid，hisastonishmentmaybeimagined；hecouldnotunderstandhowPetit-Claudcametoknowsomuchofhisfather’snatureandhisownhistory。
　　Uprightandhonorableashewas，hedidnotdreamoftherelationsbetweenhislawyerandtheCointets；nor，forthatmatter，didheknowthattheCointetswereatworkbehindMetivier。MeanwhileoldSechardtookhisson’ssilenceasaninsult，andPetit-Claud，takingadvantageofhisclient’sbewilderment，beataretreat。
　　“Good-bye，mydearDavid；youhavehadwarning，noticeofappealdoesn’tinvalidatethewarrantforarrest。Itistheonlycourseleftopentoyourcreditors，anditwillnotbelongbeforetheytakeit。
　　So，goawayatonce——Or，rather，ifyouwilltakemyadvice，gototheCointetsandseethemaboutit。Theyhavecapital。Ifyourinventionisperfectedandanswersthepurpose，gointopartnershipwiththem。Afterall，theyareverygoodfellows——“
　　“Yourinvention？“brokeinoldSechard。
　　“Why，doyousupposethatyoursonisfoolenoughtolethisbusinessslipawayfromhimwithoutthinkingofsomethingelse？“exclaimedtheattorney。“Heisonthebrinkofthediscoveryofawayofmakingpaperatacostofthreefrancsperream，insteadoften，hetellsme。”
　　“Onemoredodgefortakingmein！Youareallasthickasthievesinafair。IfDavidhasfoundoutsuchaplan，hehasnoneedofme——heisamillionaire！Good-bye，mydears，andagood-daytoyouall。”andtheoldmandisappeareddownthestaircase。
　　“Findsomewayofhidingyourself。”wasPetit-Claud’spartingwordtoDavid，andwiththathehurriedouttoexasperateoldSechardstillfurther。HefoundthevinegrowergrowlingtohimselfoutsideinthePlaceduMurier，wentwithhimasfarasL’Houmeau，andtherelefthimwithathreatofputtinginanexecutionforthecostsduetohimunlesstheywerepaidbeforetheweekwasout。