All seemed over, those present had risen, our solicitors were surrounded with persons asking the names of the purchasers." "Monsieur Brazier, the judge intrusted with the sale, desired silence, and the bailiff of the court offered the four lots together for 2,150,000 or 2,160,000 francs, I don't remember which.

A murmur passed through the assembly.

'No one will bid' was heard on all sides.

But little Gibert, the solicitor, who was seated in the first row, and till then had given no sign of life, rose and said calmly, 'I have a purchaser for the four lots together at 2,200,000 francs.' This was like a thunderbolt.

A tremendous clamor arose, followed by a dead silence.
The hall was filled with farmers and laborers from the neighborhood.
Two million francs! So much money for the land threw them into a sort of respectful stupor.