and took the fishes," replied Des Meloises.

"Well, Chevalier, I shall win them back to-night. I hope the dividend
will be good: in that way I too may share in the 'business' of the Grand
Company."

"Good-by, Chevalier; remember me to St. Blague!" (This was a familiar
sobriquet of Bigot.) "Tis the best name going. If I had an heir for the
old chateau on the Adour, I would christen him Bigot for luck."

The Chevalier des Meloises left the officers and proceeded down the
steep road that led to the Palace. The gardens were quiet to-day--a few
loungers might be seen in the magnificent alleys, pleached walks, and
terraces; beyond these gardens, however, stretched the King's wharves
and the magazines of the Friponne. These fairly swarmed with men loading
and unloading ships and bateaux, and piling and unpiling goods.

The Chevalier glanced with disdain at the magazines, and flourishing his
cane, mounted leisurely the broad steps of the Palace, and was at once
admitted to the council-room.

"Better late than never, Chevalier des Meloises!" exclaimed Bigot,
carelessly glancing at him as he took a seat at the board, where sat
Cadet, Varin, Penisault, and the leading spirits of the Grand Company.
"You are in double luck to-day. The business is over, and Dame Friponne
has laid a golden egg worth a Jew's tooth for each partner of the
Company."

The Chevalier did not notice, or did not care for, the slight touch of
sarcasm in the Intendant's tone. "Thanks, Bigot!" drawled he. "My eggs
shall be hatched to-night down at Menut's. I expect to have little more
left than the shell of it to-morrow."

"Well, never mind! We have considered all that, Chevalier. What one
loses another gets. It is all in the family. Look here," continued he,
laying his finger upon a page of the ledger that lay open before him,
"Mademoiselle Angelique des Meloises is now a shareholder in the Grand
Company. The list of high, fair, and noble ladies of the Court who are
members of the Company will be honored by the addition of the name of
your charming sister."

The Chevalier's eyes sparkled with delight as he read Angelique's name
on the book. A handsome sum of five digits stood to her credit. He bowed
his thanks with many warm expressions of his sense of the honor done his
sister by "placing her name on the roll of the ladies of the Court who
honor the Company by accepting a share of its dividends."

"I hope Mademoiselle des Meloises will not refuse th