of his office had made great inroads on Monsieur de Lamotte's fortune.
He had of late lived at Buisson-Souef in the most complete retirement;
but notwithstanding this too long deferred attention to his affairs, his
property was ruining him, for the place required a large expenditure, and
absorbed a large amount of his income without making any tangible return.
He had always hesitated to dispose of the estate on account of its
associations; it was there he had met, courted, and married his beloved
wife; there that the happy days of their youth had been spent; there that
they both wished to grow old together.

Such was the family to which accident had now introduced Derues. The
unfavourable impression made on Monsieur de Lamotte had not passed
unperceived by him; but, being quite accustomed to the instinctive
repugnance which his first appearance generally inspired, Derues had made
a successful study of how to combat and efface this antagonistic feeling,
and replace it by confidence, using different means according to the
persons he had to deal with. He understood at once that vulgar methods
would be useless with Monsieur de Lamotte, whose appearance and manners
indicated both the man of the world and the man of intelligence, and also
he had to consider the two priests, who were both observing him
attentively. Fearing a false step, he assumed the most simple and
insignificant deportment he could, knowing that sooner or later a third
person would rehabilitate him in the opinion of those present. Nor did
he wait long.

Arrived at the drawing-room, Monsieur de Lamotte requested the company to
be seated. Derues acknowledged the courtesy by a bow, and there was a
moment of silence, while Edouard and his mother looked at each other and
smiled. The silence was broken by Madame de Lamotte.