His old mother knows he is in prison; she is crying like a Magdalen.

The abbe is to dine with her; no doubt she wants to talk to him about her troubles.

Well, I'll go and see your uncle to-night and persuade him to sell his five per cent consols, which are now at 118, and lend Madame de Portenduere, on the security of her farm at Bordieres and her house here, enough to pay the debts of the prodigal son.

I have a right as notary to speak to him in behalf of young Portenduere; and it is quite natural that I should wish to make him change his investments; I get deeds and commissions out of the business.
If I become his adviser I'll propose to him other land investments for his surplus capital; I have some excellent ones now in my office.

If his fortune were once invested in landed estate or in mortgage notes in this neighbourhood, it could not take wings to itself very easily.