secrets and the mysteries of
the life and death of money. Yes, silver and gold live and swarm like
men; they come, and go, and sweat, and multiply--"

Eugenie rose; but after making a few steps towards the door she turned
abruptly, looked her father in the face, and said,--

"I have not got _my_ gold."

"You have not got your gold!" cried Grandet, starting up erect, like a
horse that hears a cannon fired beside him.

"No, I have not got it."

"You are mistaken, Eugenie."

"No."

"By the shears of my father!"

Whenever the old man swore that oath the rafters trembled.

"Holy Virgin! Madame is turning pale," cried Nanon.

"Grandet, your anger will kill me," said the poor mother.

"Ta, ta, ta, ta! nonsense; you never die in your family! Eugenie, what
have you done with your gold?" he cried, rushing upon her.

"Monsieur," said the daughter, falling at Madame Grandet's knees, "my
mother is ill. Look at her; do not kill her."

Grandet was frightened by the pallor which overspread his wife's face,
usually so yellow.

"Nanon, help me to bed," said the poor woman in a feeble voice; "I am
dying--"

Nanon gave her mistress an arm, Eugenie gave her another; but it was
only with infinite difficulty that they could get her upstairs, she fell
with exhaustion at every step. Grandet remained alone. However, in a few
moments he went up six or eight stairs and called out,--

"Eugenie, when your mother is in bed, come down."

"Yes, father."

She soon came, after reassuring her mother.

"My daughter," said Grandet, "you will now tell me what you have done
with your gold."

"My father, if you make me presents of which I am not the sole mistress,
take them back," she answered coldly, picking up the napoleon from the
chimney-piece and offering it to him.

Grandet seized the coin and slipped it into his breeches' pocket.

"I shall certainly never give you anything again. Not so much as that!"
he said, clicking his thumb-nail against a front tooth. "Do you dare to
despise your father? have you no confidence in him? Don't you know what
a father is? If he is nothing for you, he is nothing at all. Where is
your gold?"

"Father, I love and respect you, in spite of your anger; but I humbly
ask you to remember that I am twenty-three years old. You have told me
often that I have attained my majority, and I do not forget it. I have
used my money as I chose to use it, and you may be sure that it was put
to a good use--"