s assembly, can only
be likened to that of a snail into a beehive, or the introduction of a
peacock into some village poultry-yard.

"Sit down near the fire," said Grandet.

Before seating himself, the young stranger saluted the assembled company
very gracefully. The men rose to answer by a courteous inclination, and
the women made a ceremonious bow.

"You are cold, no doubt, monsieur," said Madame Grandet; "you have,
perhaps, travelled from--"

"Just like all women!" said the old wine-grower, looking up from a
letter he was reading. "Do let monsieur rest himself!"

"But, father, perhaps monsieur would like to take something," said
Eugenie.

"He has got a tongue," said the old man sternly.

The stranger was the only person surprised by this scene; all the others
were well-used to the despotic ways of the master. However, after the
two questions and the two replies had been exchanged, the newcomer rose,
turned his back towards the fire, lifted one foot so as to warm the sole
of its boot, and said to Eugenie,--

"Thank you, my cousin, but I dined at Tours. And," he added, looking at
Grandet, "I need nothing; I am not even tired."

"Monsieur has come from the capital?" asked Madame des Grassins.

Monsieur Charles,--such was the name of the son of Monsieur Grandet of
Paris,--hearing himself addressed, took a little eye-glass, suspended by
a chain from his neck, applied it to his right eye to examine what was
on the table, and also the persons sitting round it. He ogled Madame des
Grassins with much impertinence, and said to her, after he had observed
all he wished,--

"Yes, madame. You are playing at loto, aunt," he added. "Do not let me
interrupt you, I beg; go on with your game: it is too amusing to leave."

"I was certain it was the cousin," thought Madame des Grassins, casting
repeated glances at him.

"Forty-seven!" cried the old abbe. "Mark it down, Madame des Grassins.
Isn't that your number?"

Monsieur des Grassins put a counter on his wife's card, who sat watching
first the cousin from Paris and then Eugenie, without thinking of her
loto, a prey to mournful presentiments. From time to time the young the
heiress glanced furtively at her cousin, and the banker's wife easily
detected a _crescendo_ of surprise and curiosity in her mind.

Monsieur Charles Grandet, a handsome young man of twenty-two, presented
at this moment a singular contrast to the worthy provincials, who,
considerably disgusted by