e accountant in his little office, seated in his wonted place, and
leaning over the everlasting ledger which was open before him.

"Why, is the christening finished?" he exclaimed in astonishment.

Forthwith she explained her presence in such a way as to enable her to
speak of what she had at heart. "Why, yes. That is to say, I came away
because I had such a dreadful headache. The others have remained yonder.
And as we are alone here together it occurred to me that it might do me
good to have a chat with you. You know how highly I esteem you. Ah! I am
not happy, not happy at all."

She had sunk upon a chair overcome by the tears which she had been
restraining so long in the presence of the happiness of others. Quite
upset at seeing her in this condition, having little strength himself,
Morange wished to summon her maid. He almost feared that she might have
a fainting fit. But she prevented him.

"I have only you left me, my friend," said she. "Everybody else forsakes
me, everybody is against me. I can feel it; I am being ruined; folks are
bent on annihilating me, as if I had not already lost everything when
I lost my child. And since you alone remain to me, you who know my
torments, you who have no daughter left you, pray for heaven's sake
help me and tell me the truth! In that wise I shall at least be able to
defend myself."

On hearing her speak of his daughter Morange also had begun to weep.
And now, therefore, she might question him, it was certain that he would
answer and tell her everything, overpowered as he was by the common
grief which she had evoked. Thus he informed her that an agreement was
indeed on the point of being signed by Blaise and Beauchene, only it was
not precisely a deed of partnership. Beauchene having drawn large sums
from the strong-box of the establishment for expenses which he could not
confess--a horrible story of blackmailing, so it was rumored--had been
obliged to make a confidant of Blaise, the trusty and active lieutenant
who managed the establishment. And he had even asked him to find
somebody willing to lend him some money. Thereupon the young man had
offered it himself; but doubtless it was his father, Mathieu Froment,
who advanced the cash, well pleased to invest it in the works in his
son's name. And now, with the view of putting everything in order, it
had been resolved that the property should be divided into six parts,
and that one of these parts or shares should be attribut