mouse
when she caught sight of it,--"my affair of the Rue Montorgeuil is not
yet settled. What they call an impediment has arisen. The tenant is the
chief tenant. This conspirator declares that as he has paid a year in
advance, and having only one more year to"--here Pillerault gave Cesar
a look which advised him to pay strict attention--"and, the year being
paid for, that he has the right to take away his furniture. I shall sue
him! I must hold on to my securities to the last; he may owe something
for repairs before the year is out."

"But," said Pillerault, "the law only allows you to take furniture as
security for the rent--"

"And its accessories!" cried Molineux, assailed in his trenches. "That
article in the Code has been interpreted by various judgments rendered
in the matter: however, there ought to be legislative rectification to
it. At this very moment I am elaborating a memorial to his Highness,
the Keeper of the Seals, relating to this flaw in our statutes. It
is desirable that the government should maintain the interests of
landlords. That is the chief question in statecraft. We are the tap-root
of taxation."

"You are well fitted to enlighten the government," said Pillerault; "but
in what way can we enlighten you--about our affairs?"

"I wish to know," said Molineux, with pompous authority, "if Monsieur
Birotteau has received moneys from Monsieur Popinot."

"No, monsieur," said Birotteau.

Then followed a discussion on Birotteau's interests in the house of
Popinot, from which it appeared that Popinot had the right to have all
his advances paid in full, and that he was not involved in the failure
to the amount of half the costs of his establishment, due to him by
Birotteau. Molineux, judiciously handled by Pillerault, insensibly got
back to gentler ways, which only showed how he cared for the opinion of
those who frequented the cafe David. He ended by offering consolation
to Birotteau, and by inviting him, as well as Pillerault, to share his
humble dinner. If the ex-perfumer had gone alone, he would probably have
irritated Molineux, and the matter would have become envenomed. In this
instance, as in others, old Pillerault was his tutelary angel.

Commercial law imposes a horrible torture upon the bankrupt; he is
compelled to appear in person at the meeting of his creditors, when they
decide upon his future fate. For a man who can hold himself above it
all, or for a merchant who expects to recover hi