Pere Leger only wished to buy the property in order to sell to the count at a handsome advance.

In order to secure the exorbitant sum on which his mind was set, the farmer had long endeavored to come to an understanding with Moreau.

Impelled by circumstances, he had, only three days before this critical Sunday, had a talk with the steward in the open field, and proved to him clearly that he (Moreau) could make the count invest his money at two and a half per cent, and thus appear to serve his patron's interests, while he himself pocketed forty thousand francs which Leger offered him to bring about the transaction.
"I tell you what," said the steward to his wife, as he went to bed that night, "if I make fifty thousand francs out of the Moulineaux affair,--and I certainly shall, for the count will give me ten thousand as a fee,--we'll retire to Isle-Adam and live in the Pavillon de Nogent." This "pavillon" was a charming place, originally built by the Prince de Conti for a mistress, and in it every convenience and luxury had been placed.
"That will suit me," said his wife.

"The Dutchman who lives there has put it in good order, and now that he is obliged to return to India, he would probably let us have it for thirty thousand francs." "We shall be close to Champagne," said Moreau.

"I am in hopes of buying the farm and mill of Mours for a hundred thousand francs.