"But what, then, can the reasons be that have induced M. d'Espard to
give you sums----"

"Hugious sums, monsieur, say the word; I do not mind. But as to his
reasons, I am not at liberty to explain them."

"You are wrong. At this moment, his family, very naturally alarmed,
are about to bring an action----"

"Heavens above us!" said the good woman, starting up. "Is it possible
that he should be worried on my account? That king of men, a man that
has not his match! Rather than he should have the smallest trouble, or
hair less on his head I could almost say, we would return every sou,
monsieur. Write that down on your papers. Heaven above us! I will go
at once and tell Jeanrenaud what is going on! A pretty thing indeed!"

And the little old woman went out, rolled herself downstairs, and
disappeared.

"That one tells no lies," said Popinot to himself. "Well, to-morrow I
shall know the whole story, for I shall go to see the Marquis
d'Espard."

People who have outlived the age when a man wastes his vitality at
random, know how great an influence may be exercised on more important
events by apparently trivial incidents, and will not be surprised at
the weight here given to the following minor fact. Next day Popinot
had an attack of coryza, a complaint which is not dangerous, and
generally known by the absurd and inadequate name of a cold in the