"Guilty conscience," said Aubertin dryly.
One day in his walks he met a gaunt figure ambling on a fat pony: he stopped him, and, holding up his finger, said abruptly, "We have found you out, Maitre Perrin." The notary changed color.
"Oh, never be ashamed," said Aubertin; "a good action done slyly is none the less a good action." The notary wore a puzzled air.
Aubertin admired his histrionic powers in calling up this look.
"Come, come, don't overdo it," said he.

"Well, well; they cannot profit by your liberality; but you will be rewarded in a better world, take my word for that." The notary muttered indistinctly.

He was a man of moderate desires; would have been quite content if there had been no other world in perspective.

He had studied this one, and made it pay: did not desire a better; sometimes feared a worse.
"Ah!" said Aubertin, "I see how it is; we do not like to hear ourselves praised, do we?
When shall we see you at the chateau ?" "I propose to call on the baroness the moment I have good news to bring," replied Perrin; and to avoid any more compliments spurred the dun pony suddenly; and he waddled away.
Now this Perrin was at that moment on the way to dine with a character who plays a considerable part in the tale--Commandant Raynal.

Perrin had made himself useful to the commandant, and had become his legal adviser.
And, this very day after dinner, the commandant having done a good day's work permitted himself a little sentiment over the bottle, and to a man he thought his friend.