No, the law is the wrong road for you, Monsieur le comte." "Then what's to be done ?" cried the general, his blood boiling as he tramped up and down before the bench.
"Monsieur le comte," said Sibilet, abruptly, "what I say to you is not for my own interests, certainly; but I advise you to sell Les Aigues and leave the neighborhood." On hearing these words the general sprang back as if a cannon-ball had struck him; then he looked at Sibilet with a shrewd, diplomatic eye.
"A general of the Imperial Guard running away from the rascals, when Madame la comtesse likes Les Aigues!" he said.

"No, I'll sooner box Gaubertin's ears on the market-place of Ville-aux-Fayes, and force him to fight me that I may shoot him like a dog." "Monsieur le comte, Gaubertin is not such a fool as to let himself be brought into collision with you.

Besides, you could not openly insult the mayor of so important a place as Ville-aux-Fayes." "I'll have him turned out; the Troisvilles can do that for me; it is a question of income." "You won't succeed, Monsieur le comte; Gaubertin's arms are long; you will get yourself into difficulties from which you cannot escape." "Let us think of the present," interrupted the general.

"About that suit ?" "That, Monsieur le comte, I can manage to win for you," replied Sibilet, with a knowing glance.
"Bravo, Sibilet!" said the general, shaking his steward's hand; "how are you going to do it ?" "You will win it on a writ of error," replied Sibilet.

"In my opinion the Gravelots have the right of it.