It is easy to make difficulties between the wish to realize and the realization." The heirs, struck with the truth of this argument (much cleverer than that of Monsieur Josse), murmured approval.
"You must be careful," said the notary in conclusion, "to keep your uncle in Nemours, where his habits are known, and where you can watch him.

Find him a lover for the girl and you'll prevent his marrying her himself." "Suppose she married the lover ?" said Goupil, seized by an ambitious desire.
"That wouldn't be a bad thing; then you could figure up the loss; the old man would have to say how much he gives her," replied the notary.
"But if you set Desire at her he could keep the girl dangling on till the old man died.

Marriages are made and unmade." "The shortest way," said Goupil, "if the doctor is likely to live much longer, is to marry her to some worthy young man who will get her out of your way by settling at Sens, or Montargis, or Orleans with a hundred thousand francs in hand." Dionis, Massin, Zelie, and Goupil, the only intelligent heads in the company, exchanged four thoughtful smiles.
"He'd be a worm at the core," whispered Zelie to Massin.
"How did he get here ?" returned the clerk.
"That will just suit you!" cried Desire to Goupil.

"But do you think you can behave decently enough to satisfy the old man and the girl ?" "In these days," whispered Zelie again in Massin's year, "notaries look out for no interests but their own.

Suppose Dionis went over to Ursula just to get the old man's business ?" "I am sure of him," said the clerk of the court, giving her a sly look out of his spiteful little eyes.