this?"

This claim, thus advanced and at such a moment, was so outrageous, that
Martial, disgusted, made a sign to his father, which the latter did not
see.

But the cure hoping to recall the extortioner to something like a sense
of shame, exclaimed:

"Monsieur le Duc! Oh, Monsieur le Duc!"

Lacheneur shrugged his shoulders with an air of resignation.

"The income I have used for my own living expenses, and in educating
my children; but most of it has been expended in improving the estate,
which today yields an income twice as large as in former years."

"That is to say, for twenty years, Monsieur Lacheneur has played the
part of lord of the manor. A delightful comedy. You are rich now, I
suppose."

"I possess nothing. But I hope you will allow me to take ten thousand
francs, which your aunt gave to me."

"Ah! she gave you ten thousand francs? And when?"

"On the same evening that she gave me the eighty thousand francs
intended for the purchase of the estate."

"Perfect! What proof can you furnish that she gave you this sum?"