From a worldly point of view--oh! the affair is perfectly legal, and I am--you'll understand me ?--a barrister inscribed on the panel, that is, member of a bar controlled by the strictest rules.

I am therefore incapable of proposing an enterprise which might give occasion for blame.

In the first place, I myself don't make a penny by it." Brigitte was on thorns; her face was flaming; she broke her wool, mended it, broke it again, and did not know which way to look.
"One can't get," she said, "in these days, forty thousand francs a year from landed property unless it is worth one million eight hundred thousand." "Well, I will undertake that you shall see a piece of property and estimate yourself its probable revenue, which I can make Thuillier the owner of for fifty thousand francs down." "Oh! if you can make us obtain that!" cried Brigitte, worked up to the highest excitement by the spur of her natural cupidity.

"Go on, my dear Monsieur Theodose, and--" She stopped short.
"Well, mademoiselle ?" "You will, perhaps, have done yourself a service." "Ah! if Thuillier has told you my secret, I must leave this house." Brigitte looked up.
"Did he tell you that I love Celeste ?" "No, on my word of honor!" cried Brigitte, "but I myself was just about to speak of her." "And offer her to me?
Oh! may God forgive us! I can only win her of herself, her parents, by a free choice--No, no, all I ask of you is your good-will, your protection.

Promise me, as Thuillier has, in return for my services your influence, your friendship; tell me that you will treat me as a son.