He can go to Paris and release Savinien himself,--for he will have to go there to sell out his funds,--and he can bring the lad back to you." "Are you speaking of that little Minoret ?" "That little Minoret is eighty-three years old," said the abbe, smiling.
"My dear lady, do have a little Christian charity; don't wound him,--he might be useful to you in other ways." "What ways ?" "He has an angel in his house; a precious young girl--" "Oh! that little Ursula.

What of that ?" The poor abbe did not pursue the subject after these significant words, the laconic sharpness of which cut through the proposition he was about to make.
"I think Doctor Minoret is very rich," he said.
"So much the better for him." "You have indirectly caused your son's misfortunes by refusing to give him a profession; beware for the future," said the abbe sternly.

"Am I to tell Doctor Minoret that you are coming ?" "Why cannot he come to me if he knows I want him ?" she replied.
"Ah, madame, if you go to him you will pay him three per cent; if he comes to you you will pay him five," said the abbe, inventing this reason to influence the old lady.

"And if you are forced to sell your farm by Dionis the notary, or by Massin the clerk (who would refuse to lend you the money, knowing it was more their interest to buy), you would lose half its value.

I have not the slightest influence on the Dionis, Massins, or Levraults, or any of those rich men who covet your farm and know that your son is in prison." "They know it! oh, do they know it ?" she exclaimed, throwing up her arms.