saved up all you gave him, he watched for the bill to come in, and he
paid it. Such a trick! While my wife and me, we knew he had no
tobacco, poor old boy, and went without.--Oh! now--yes, he has his
cigar every morning! I would sell my soul for it--No, we are hurt.
Well, so I wanted to ask you--for he said you were a good sort--to
lend us a hundred crowns on the stock, so that we may get him some
clothes, and furnish his room. He thought he was getting us out of
debt, you see? Well, it's just the other way; the old man is running
us into debt--and hurt our feelings!--He ought not to have stolen a
march on us like that. And we his friends, too!--On my word as an
honest man, as sure as my name is Louis Vergniaud, I would sooner sell
up and enlist than fail to pay you back your money----"

Derville looked at the dairyman, and stepped back a few paces to
glance at the house, the yard, the manure-pool, the cowhouse, the
rabbits, the children.

"On my honor, I believe it is characteristic of virtue to have nothing
to do with riches!" thought he.

"All right, you shall have your hundred crowns, and more. But I shall
not give them to you; the Colonel will be rich enough to help, and I
will not deprive him of the pleasure."

"And will that be soon?"

"Why, yes."

"Ah, dear God! how glad my wife will be!" and the cowkeeper's tanned
face seemed to expand.