d'Escorval would, perhaps, do us more harm than good. And, besides, what
advice could he give us?"

Chanlouineau had forgotten all prudence.

"What of that?" he exclaimed. "If Monsieur d'Escorval has no counsel to
give us about this matter, he can, perhaps, teach us how to resist and
to defend ourselves."

For some moments Father Chupin had been studying, with an impassive
countenance, the storm of anger he had aroused. In his secret heart
he experienced the satisfaction of the incendiary at the sight of the
flames he has kindled.

Perhaps he already had a presentiment of the infamous part he would play
a few months later.

Satisfied with his experiment, he assumed, for the time, the role of
moderator.

"Wait a little. Do not cry before you are hurt," he exclaimed, in an
ironical tone. "Who told you that the Duc de Sairmeuse would trouble
you? How much of his former domain do you all own between you? Almost
nothing. A few fields and meadows and a hill on the Borderie. All these
together did not in former times yield him an income of five thousand
francs a year."

"Yes, that is true," replied Chanlouineau; "and if the revenue you
mention is quadrupled, it is only because the land is now in the hands
of forty proprietors who cultivate it themselves."