the
remainder of their claims. This testimonial is couched in terms
which are worthy of the attention of the Court."

Here the _procureur-general_ read the passage from the certificate of
bankruptcy.

"After receiving such expressions of good-will, gentlemen, most
merchants would have considered themselves released from
obligation and free to return boldly into the vortex of business.
Far from so doing, Birotteau, without allowing himself to be cast
down, resolved within his conscience to toil for the glorious day
which has at length dawned for him here. Nothing disheartened him.
Our beloved sovereign granted to the man who shed his blood on the
steps of Saint-Roch an office where he might earn his bread. The
salary of that office the bankrupt laid by for his creditors,
taking nothing for his own wants; for family devotion has
supported him."

Birotteau pressed his uncle's hand, weeping.

"His wife and his daughter poured their earnings into the common
fund, for they too espoused the noble hope of Birotteau. Each came
down from the position she had held and took an inferior one.
These sacrifices, gentlemen, should be held in honor, for they are
harder than all others to bear. I will now show you what sort of
task it was that Birotteau imposed upon himself."

Here the _procureur-general_ read a summing-up of the schedule, giving
the amounts which had remained unpaid and the names of the creditors.

"Each of these sums, with the interest thereon, has been paid,
gentlemen; and the payment is not shown by receipts under private
seal, which might be questioned: they are payments made before a
notary, properly authenticated; and according to the inflexible
requirements of this Court they have been examined and verified by
the proper authority. We now ask you to restore Birotteau, not to
honor, but to all the rights of which he was deprived. In doing
this you are doing justice. Such exhibitions of character are so
rare in this Court that we cannot refrain from testifying to the
petitioner how heartily we applaud his conduct, which an august
approval has already privately encouraged."

The prosecuting officer closed by reading his charge in the customary
formal terms.

The Court deliberated without retiring, and the president rose to
pronounce judgement.

"The Court," he said, in closing, "desires me to express to
Birotteau the satisfaction with which