"It seems," said he with cool candor, "a sad pity the estate should pass from a family that has held it since the days of Charlemagne." "Now God forbid!" cried the baroness, lifting her eyes and her quivering hands to heaven.
The notary held the republican creed in all its branches.

"Providence, madame, does not interfere--in matters of business," said he.

"Nothing but money can save the estate.

Let us then be practical.

Has any means occurred to you of raising money to pay off these incumbrances ?" "No.