For some time past he had thought of retiring, and so, when his post chaise stopped at the head of the Grand'Rue of Nemours, his heart prompted him to inquire for his family.

Minoret-Levrault, the post master, came forward himself to see the doctor, who discovered him to be the son of his eldest brother.

The nephew presented the doctor to his wife, the only daughter of the late Levrault-Cremiere, who had died twelve years earlier, leaving him the post business and the finest inn in Nemours.
"Well, nephew," said the doctor, "have I any other relatives ?" "My aunt Minoret, your sister, married a Massin-Massin--" "Yes, I know, the bailiff of Saint-Lange." "She died a widow leaving an only daughter, who has lately married a Cremiere-Cremiere, a fine young fellow, still without a place." "Ah! she is my own niece.

Now, as my brother, the sailor, died a bachelor, and Captain Minoret was killed at Monte-Legino, and here I am, that ends the paternal line.

Have I any relations on the maternal side?
My mother was a Jean-Massin-Levrault." "Of the Jean-Massin-Levrault's there's only one left," answered Minoret-Levrault, "namely, Jean-Massin, who married Monsieur Cremiere-Levrault-Dionis, a purveyor of forage, who perished on the scaffold.