Gaubertin himself saved Mademoiselle Laguerre's life during the Revolution, but it seemed to others that he was robbing her.

She rewarded him in her will with a diamond worth ten thousand francs, which Madame Gaubertin now wears on her head." The general gave Sibilet another glance still more diplomatic than the first; but the steward seemed to take no notice of the challenge it expressed.
"If I were to appear dishonest, Monsieur Gaubertin would be so overjoyed that I could instantly obtain his help," continued Sibilet.

"He would listen with all his ears if I said to him: 'Suppose I were to extort twenty thousand francs from Monsieur le comte for Messrs.

Gravelot, on condition that they shared them with me ?' If your adversaries consented to that, Monsieur le comte, I should return you ten thousand francs; you lose only the other ten, you save appearances, and the suit is quashed." "You are a fine fellow, Sibilet," said the general, taking his hand and shaking it.

"If you can manage the future as well as you do the present, I'll call you the prince of stewards." "As to the future," said Sibilet, "you won't die of hunger if no timber is cut for two or three years.