n Boutan inquiring with what
capital he would start operations, Mathieu quietly explained that he
did not mean to borrow money and thus run into debt; he would begin,
if necessary, with very few acres indeed, convinced as he was of the
conquering power of labor. His would be the head, and he would assuredly
find the necessary arms. His only worry was whether he would be able to
induce Seguin to sell him the old hunting-box and the few acres round it
on a system of yearly payments, without preliminary disbursement. When
he spoke to the doctor on this subject, the other replied:

"Oh! I think he is very favorably disposed. I know that he would
be delighted to sell that huge, unprofitable estate, for with his
increasing pecuniary wants he is very much embarrassed by it. You
are aware, no doubt, that things are going from bad to worse in his
household."

Then the doctor broke off to inquire: "And our friend Beauchene, have
you warned him of your intention to leave the works?"

"Why, no, not yet," said Mathieu; "and I would ask you to keep the
matter private, for I wish to have everything settled before informing
him."

Lunching quickly, they had now got to their coffee, and the doctor
offered to drive Mathieu back to the works, as he was going there
himself, for Madame Beauchene had requested him to call once a week, in
order that he might keep an eye on Maurice's health. Not only did
the lad still suffer from his legs, but he had so weak and delicate a
stomach that he had to be dieted severely.

"It's the kind of stomach one finds among children who have not been
brought up by their own mothers," continued Boutan. "Your plucky wife
doesn't know that trouble; she can let her children eat whatever they
fancy. But with that poor little Maurice, the merest trifle, such as
four cherries instead of three, provokes indigestion. Well, so it is
settled, I will drive you back to the works. Only I must first make a
call in the Rue Roquepine to choose a nurse. It won't take me long, I
hope. Quick! let us be off."

When they were together in the brougham, Boutan told Mathieu that it was
precisely for the Seguins that he was going to the nurse-agency. There
was a terrible time at the house in the Avenue d'Antin. A few months
previously Valentine had given birth to a daughter, and her husband
had obstinately resolved to select a fit nurse for the child himself,
pretending that he knew all about such matters. And he had chosen a
b