When the street-door was shut, Monsieur Hochon, little suspecting the intimacy between his grandsons and Max, threw one of his slyest looks at his wife and Agathe, remarking,-- "He is just as capable of writing that note as I am of giving away twenty-five louis; it is the soldier who is corresponding with us!" "What does that portend ?" asked Madame Hochon.

"Well, never mind; we will answer him.

As for you, monsieur," she added, turning to Joseph, "you must dine there; but if--" The old lady was stopped short by a look from her husband.

Knowing how warm a friendship she felt for Agathe, old Hochon was in dread lest she should leave some legacy to her goddaughter in case the latter lost the Rouget property.

Though fifteen years older than his wife, the miser hoped to inherit her fortune, and to become eventually the sole master of their whole property.