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。