and I shall be quite a _grand seigneur_."

"Why not seek another house? This----"

"This pleases me, Monsieur. Its situation suits me perfectly."

In fact, why should not the Sairmeuse have regretted their odious
conduct? Was it impossible that Lacheneur, in spite of his indignation,
should conclude to accept honorable separation? Such were M.
d'Escorval's reflections.

"To say that the marquis has been kind is saying too little," continued
Lacheneur. "He has shown us the most delicate attentions. For example,
having noticed how much Marie-Anne regrets the loss of her flowers,
he has declared that he is going to send her plants to stock our small
garden, and that they shall be renewed every month."

Like all passionate men, M. Lacheneur overdid his part. This last remark
was too much; it awakened a sinister suspicion in M. d'Escorval's mind.

"Good God!" he thought, "does this wretched man meditate some crime?"

He glanced at Chanlouineau, and his anxiety increased. On hearing the
names of the marquis and of Marie-Anne, the robust farmer had turned
livid. "It is decided," said Lacheneur, with an air of the lost
satisfaction, "that they will give me the ten thousand francs bequeathed
to me by Mademoiselle Armande. Moreover, I am to fix upon such a sum as
I consider a just recompense for my services. And that is not all; they
have offered me the position of manager at Sairmeuse; and I was to be
allowed to occupy the gamekeeper's cottage, where I lived so long. But