ny country gentlemen, to drink his bad wine and eat
his spoiled fruit.

Towards five in the afternoon Grandet returned from Angers, having made
fourteen thousand francs by the exchange on his gold, bringing home
in his wallet good treasury-notes which bore interest until the day he
should invest them in the Funds. He had left Cornoiller at Angers to
look after the horses, which were well-nigh foundered, with orders to
bring them home slowly after they were rested.

"I have got back from Angers, wife," he said; "I am hungry."

Nanon called out to him from the kitchen: "Haven't you eaten anything
since yesterday?"

"Nothing," answered the old man.

Nanon brought in the soup. Des Grassins came to take his client's orders
just as the family sat down to dinner. Grandet had not even observed his
nephew.

"Go on eating, Grandet," said the banker; "we can talk. Do you know what
gold is worth in Angers? They have come from Nantes after it? I shall
send some of ours."

"Don't send any," said Grandet; "they have got enough. We are such old
friends, I ought to save you from such a loss of time."

"But gold is worth thirteen francs fifty centimes."

"Say _was_ worth--"

"Where the devil have they got any?"

"I went to Angers last night," answered Grandet in a low voice.

The banker shook with surprise. Then a whispered conversation began
between the two, during which Grandet and des Grassins frequently
looked at Charles. Presently des Grassins gave a start of astonishment;
probably Grandet was then instructing him to invest the sum which was to
give him a hundred thousand francs a year in the Funds.

"Monsieur Grandet," said the banker to Charles, "I am starting for
Paris; if you have any commissions--"

"None, monsieur, I thank you," answered Charles.

"Thank him better than that, nephew. Monsieur is going to settle the
affairs of the house of Guillaume Grandet."

"Is there any hope?" said Charles eagerly.

"What!" exclaimed his uncle, with well-acted pride, "are you not my
nephew? Your honor is ours. Is not your name Grandet?"

Charles rose, seized Pere Grandet, kissed him, turned pale, and left the
room. Eugenie looked at her father with admiration.

"Well, good-by, des Grassins; it is all in your hands. Decoy those
people as best you can; lead 'em by the nose."

The two diplomatists shook hands. The old cooper accompanied the banker
to the front door. Then, after closing it, he came back and plunged into