Come, old fellow, do you mean to play fair with me ?" "Yes." "If I wanted to show my teeth I could coax Massin to buy the Rouvre estate, park, gardens, preserves, and timber--" "You'd better think twice before you do that," said Zelie, suddenly intervening.
"If I choose," said Goupil, giving her a viperish look; "Massin would buy the whole for two hundred thousand francs." "Leave us, wife," said the colossus, taking Zelie by the arm, and shoving her away; "I understand him.

We have been so very busy," he continued, returning to Goupil, "that we have had no time to think of you; but I rely on your friendship to buy the Rouvre estate for me." "It is a very ancient marquisate," said Goupil, maliciously; "which will soon be worth in your hands fifty thousand francs a year; that means a capital of more than two millions as money is now." "My son could then marry the daughter of a marshal of France, or the daughter of some old family whose influence would get him a fine place under the government in Paris," said Minoret, opening his huge snuff-box and offering a pinch to Goupil.
"Very good; but will you play fair ?" cried Goupil, shaking his fingers.
Minoret pressed the clerk's hands replying:-- "On my word of honor.".