and kitchen gardens of the villa. The Chalet, without cows or dairy,
is separated from the roadway by a wooden fence whose palings are
hidden under a luxuriant hedge. On the other side of the road the
opposite house, subject to a legal privilege, has a similar hedge and
paling, so as to leave an unobstructed view of Havre to the Chalet.

This little dwelling was the torment of the present proprietor of the
villa, Monsieur Vilquin; and here is the why and the wherefore. The
original creator of the villa, whose sumptuous details cry aloud,
"Behold our millions!" extended his park far into the country for the
purpose, as he averred, of getting his gardeners out of his pockets;
and so, when the Chalet was finished, none but a friend could be
allowed to inhabit it. Monsieur Mignon, the next owner of the
property, was very much attached to his cashier, Dumay, and the
following history will prove that the attachment was mutual; to him
therefore he offered the little dwelling. Dumay, a stickler for legal
methods, insisted on signing a lease for three hundred francs for
twelve years, and Monsieur Mignon willingly agreed, remarking,--

"My dear Dumay, remember, you have now bound yourself to live with me
for twelve years."

In consequence of certain events which will presently be related, the
estates of Monsieur Mignon, formerly the richest merchant in Havre,
were sold to Vilquin, one of his business competitors. In his joy at
getting possession of the celebrated villa Mignon, the latter forgot
to demand the cancelling of the lease. Dumay, anxious not to hinder
the sale, would have signed anything Vilquin required, but the sale
once made, he held to his lease like a vengeance. And there he
remained, in Vilquin's pocket as it were; at the heart of Vilquin's