"Here is the account," said Pierre.

"Then the account is a false one," returned his nephew.

Pierre thought it advisable to appear extremely offended and angry, and
Martin, exasperated at his evident dishonesty, took still higher ground,
and threatened to bring an action against him. Pierre ordered him to
leave the house, and suiting actions to words, took hold of his arm to
enforce his departure. Martin, furious, turned and raised his fist to
strike.

"What! strike your uncle, wretched boy!" exclaimed the old man.

Martin's hand dropped, but he left the house uttering reproaches and
insults, among which Pierre distinguished--

"Cheat that you are!"

"That is a word I shall remember," cried the angry old man, slamming his
door violently.

Martin brought an action before the judge at Rieux, and in course of time
obtained a decree, which, reviewing the accounts presented by Pierre,
disallowed them, and condemned the dishonest guardian to pay his nephew
four hundred livres for each year of his administration. The day on which
this sum had to be disbursed from his strong box the old usurer vowed
vengeance, but until he could gratify his hatred he was forced to conceal
it, and to receive attempts at reconciliation with a friendly smile. It
was not until six months later, on the occasion of a joyous festivity,