Sibilet, anxious to prove his rectitude, was unwilling to be responsible for the renewal of the lease.

"You know, Monsieur le comte," he wrote, "that I do not choose to profit by such matters." The wood-merchant claimed an indemnity, extorted from Madame Laguerre, through her hatred of litigation, and shared by him with Gaubertin.

This indemnity was based on the injury done to the woods by the peasants, who treated the forest of Les Aigues as if they had a right to cut the timber.Messrs.Gravelot Brothers, wood-merchants in Paris, refused to pay their last quarter dues, offering to prove by an expert that the woods were reduced one-fifth in value, through, they said, the injurious precedent established by Madame Laguerre.
"I have already," wrote Sibilet, "sued these men in the courts at Ville-aux-Fayes, for they have taken legal residence there, on account of this lease, with my old employer, Maitre Corbinet.

I fear we shall lose the suit." "It is a question of income, my dear," said the general, showing the letter to his wife.

"Will you go down to Les Aigues a little earlier this year than last ?" "Go yourself, and I will follow you when the weather is warmer," said the countess, not sorry to remain in Paris alone.
The general, who knew very well the canker that was eating into his revenues, departed without his wife, resolved to take vigorous measures.
In so doing he reckoned, as we shall see, without his Gaubertin..