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to my m-m-mind--the c-c-creditors would be--No, would not be; I
understand."

"Let me explain it all," said the president. "Legally, if you acquire
a title to all the debts of the Maison Grandet, your brother or his
heirs will owe nothing to any one. Very good."

"Very g-good," repeated Grandet.

"In equity, if your brother's notes are negotiated--negotiated, do you
clearly understand the term?--negotiated in the market at a reduction
of so much per cent in value, and if one of your friends happening to
be present should buy them in, the creditors having sold them of their
own free-will without constraint, the estate of the late Grandet is
honorably released."

"That's t-true; b-b-business is b-business," said the cooper.
"B-b-but, st-still, you know, it is d-d-difficult. I h-have n-no
m-m-money and n-no t-t-time."

"Yes, but you need not undertake it. I am quite ready to go to Paris
(you may pay my expenses, they will only be a trifle). I will see the
creditors and talk with them and get an extension of time, and
everything can be arranged if you will add something to the assets so
as to buy up all title to the debts."

"We-we'll see about th-that. I c-c-can't and I w-w-won't bind myself
without--He who c-c-can't, can't; don't you see?"

"That's very true."

"I'm all p-p-put ab-b-bout by what you've t-t-told me. This is the
f-first t-t-time in my life I have b-been obliged to th-th-think--"

"Yes, you are not a lawyer."

"I'm only a p-p-poor wine-g-grower, and know n-nothing about wh-what
you have just t-told me; I m-m-must th-think about it."

"Very good," said the president, preparing to resume his argument.

"Nephew!" said the notary, interrupting him in a warning tone.

"Well, what, uncle?" answered the president.

"Let Monsieur Grandet explain his own intentions. The matter in
question is of the first importance. Our good friend ought to define
his meaning clearly, and--"

A loud knock, which announced the arrival of the des Grassins family,
succeeded by their entrance and salutations, hindered Cruchot from
concluding his sentence. The notary was glad of the interruption, for
Grandet was beginning to look suspiciously at him, and the wen gave
signs of a brewing storm. In the first place, the notary did not think
it becoming in a president of the Civil courts to go to Paris and
manipulate creditors and lend himself to an underhand job which
clashed with the laws of strict integrity; moreover, never having
known old Grandet to express the slightest desire to pay anything, no
matter what, he instinctively feared to see his nephew taking part in
the affair. He therefore profited by the entrance of the des Grassins
to take the nephew by the arm and lead him into the embrasure of the
window,--

"You have said enough, nephew; you've shown enough devotion. Your
desire to win the girl blinds you. The devil! you mustn't go at it

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