t is for my son's sake
that I strive to do this.

Farewell, my brother! May the blessing of God be yours for the
generous guardianship I lay upon you, and which, I doubt not, you
will accept. A voice will henceforth and forever pray for you in
that world where we must all go, and where I am now as you read
these lines.

Victor-Ange-Guillaume Grandet.

"So you are talking?" said Pere Grandet as he carefully folded the
letter in its original creases and put it into his waistcoat-pocket. He
looked at his nephew with a humble, timid air, beneath which he hid his
feelings and his calculations. "Have you warmed yourself?" he said to
him.

"Thoroughly, my dear uncle."

"Well, where are the women?" said his uncle, already forgetting that
his nephew was to sleep at the house. At this moment Eugenie and Madame
Grandet returned.

"Is the room all ready?" said Grandet, recovering his composure.

"Yes, father."

"Well then, my nephew, if you are tired, Nanon shall show you your room.
It isn't a dandy's room; but you will excuse a poor wine-grower who
never has a penny to spare. Taxes swallow up everything."

"We do not wish to intrude, Grandet," said the banker; "you may want to
talk to your nephew, and therefore we will bid you good-night."

At these words the assembly rose, and each made a parting bow in keeping
with his or her own character. The old notary went to the door to fetch
his lantern and came back to light it, offering to accompany the des
Grassins on their way. Madame des Grassins had not foreseen the incident
which brought the evening prematurely to an end, her servant therefore
had not arrived.

"Will you do me the honor to take my arm, madame?" said the abbe.

"Thank you, monsieur l'abbe, but I have my son," she answered dryly.

"Ladies cannot compromise themselves with me," said the abbe.

"Take Monsieur Cruchot's arm," said her husband.

The abbe walked off with the pretty lady so quickly that they were soon
some distance in advance of the caravan.

"That is a good-looking young man, madame," he said, pressing her arm.
"Good-by to the grapes, the vintage is done. It is all over with us. We
may as well say adieu to Mademoiselle Grandet. Eugenie will belong to
the dandy. Unless this cousin is enamoured of some Parisian woman, your
son Adolphe will find another rival in--"

"Not at all, monsieur l'abbe. This young man cannot fail to see that
Eugenie is a little fool,--a girl withou