He was in a travelling-carriage, and would only remain long enough for Marguerite and Martha to make their last arrangements.
Monsieur Claes received his cousin with courtesy, but he was obviously sad and humiliated.

Old Conyncks guessed his thoughts, and said with blunt frankness while they were breakfasting:-- "I have some of your pictures, cousin; I have a taste for pictures,--a ruinous passion, but we all have our manias." "Dear uncle!" exclaimed Marguerite.
"The world declares that you are ruined, cousin; but the treasure of a Claes is there," said Conyncks, tapping his forehead, "and here," striking his heart; "don't you think so?
I count upon you: and for that reason, having a few spare ducats in my wallet, I put them to use in your service." "Ah!" cried Balthazar, "I will repay you with treasures--" "The only treasures we possess in Flanders are patience and labor," replied Conyncks, sternly.

"Our ancestor has those words engraved upon his brow," he said, pointing to the portrait of Van Claes.
Marguerite kissed her father and bade him good-bye, gave her last directions to Josette and to Felicie, and started with Monsieur Conyncks for Paris.

The great-uncle was a widower with one child, a daughter twelve years old, and he was possessed of an immense fortune.

It was not impossible that he would take a wife; consequently, the good people of Douai believed that Mademoiselle Claes would marry her great-uncle.