CHAPTER II.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 52, 20 April 1888, Page 7

CHAPTER 11.

VEBY INGENIOUS.

Next morning, after breakfast, Baoul said to Martha : " I have some visits to make to-day: Our lawyer advised me yesterday to call on Monsieur Darbault and propose a compromise ; that is to share the fortune between us. What do you think?" Tou know, Baoul, I think anything is better than a lawsuit. And where else are you going 1 " "To Dr. Guerblier iwe owe him £240. I must ask him to wait for the end of the lawsuit, Whoever is decided by the law to be the heirs must pay the debts." " I dont think Dr. Gueiblier will mind, Baoul ; he is very rich." " Yes, and «, very honourable man. His manner iB very cold ; I always felt afraid of him, and I would much rather write, but a letter is very different from a visit, and he was so devoted in his care of mamma. Don't expect me in to lunch ;.1 shall be kept waiting a long time, for certain." " Which shall you go to first ? " 11 Oh, Monsieur D«irbault.' : " I should like to go with you ; Madame Darbault was always very kind to me ; she nas great influence with her husband." " Very well ; as soon as you are ready we will start." In about ten minutes Martha came back. "Lotte is drawing," she said, " and I promised her you should go in for a minute, or else sbe won't be contented to be left at home." The brother and sister went together to Lotte's room. An enormous sheet of paper lay before Charlotte, on which she was drawing a likeness of Pouf. They laughed heartly over it, and left Charlotte is a good humour. Baoul and Martha drove to Monsieur Darbault's house, and were admitted, the servant having been always accustomed to see them affectionately received by his mistress. " Monsieur and Mademoiselle Daubry are in the drawing-room, " said Joseph to his mistress. " Why did you let them in ? " she replied sharply. " They said they came on important business, and I thought " "Now mind, Joseph, unless they come on my reception day, I don't want to see them. I have no time to lose with those children." Khe rose, as she spoke, and went to her husband's study. "Adolphus," said Bhe, " that stupid Joseph lias let Baoul Daubry in." "What a bore," replied her husband. 'What can he have come for ? What do you wish done?" '• I wißh nothing but the lawsuit," said his wife, sharply. " I want nothing that ia not legal." Monsieur Darbault walked about the room. " I know this property is legally ours, but these children 1 " " They are not related to us, Adolphus." " No, but they have a sort of moral right ; there is justice." •■ Nonsense ; you are the legal heir of Madame Daubry ; you bave a right to claim her fortune. These children have their own relations. Feeling have nothing to do with business. We are rich, of course, but we borrowed money to build our villa at Trouville, and there are many things I want to have. Madame Daubry'a house is charming. We could have an opera box, give grand parties, travel in good style, aDd I shall bave a black servant to take charge of my dogs. We must look after our own interests. Now mind, no concessions. Baoul has good sense ; perhaps he sees the lawsuit is useless, and wants to keep on good terms with us." " Then must we see him ? " said Monsieur Darbault. " Certainly, I want no quarrels. The children are very nice, especially Charlotte. Come, now, and get it over." They went into the drawing-room and greeted Baoul and Martha warmly. " What a long time it is since I saw you, Baoul ; you are still growing, Ido believe. Martha, how well you look, flow is Lotte? How amusing she i«, and so pretty. She will be very pretty ; why did she not come with you ? " " We came upon business, Madame," said Martha. '■ Oh, business ; we are rather pressed to-day." " I came," said Baoul, " to propose a compromise about our dear mother's affairs." Monsieur Darbault walked about the room in silence. " A compromise," said Madame Darbault, raising her eyebrows. "We know for certain," pursued the youth, "that our dear mother intended us to inherit. If her will is not valid "—" — " It is certainly not valid, young man," said Monsieur Darbault. " Not in one sense, sir. It is valid for us, and for all those who place the spirit of the law above the letter." " That will be settled in the lawsuit," said Madame. " Which we begin with much repugnance," added Monsieur. " That is why I propose a compromise. Up to now all has been arranged by our lawyers, I now propose we should share this fortune equally."

Madame Darbault covered her face with her hands and laughed. " My dear Baoul, you axe very ingenious, but impracticable— leave things as they are." " Is there any other compromise you can propose !'• said Martha. " No, indeed ; the best thing of all wonld be for you to withdraw your claim, but that you will not do." " No, Madame," said Baoul, rising: "We will not let ourselrei be plundered, save by force." " By justice, rather."

" Oh, Madame," said Baoul, in a broken voice, " can you indeed invoke justice 7" And, without another word, brother and lister left the room.

" How simple that Baoul iB I" said Madame Darbault, with a bitter smile,

" He has the simplicity of hia age," answered her husband, " bat he is most pleasing. Haß he not grown, Lucillo ?" " Very much. And Martha, though not pretty, is very graceful. Adolphus I" " Yes, my dear." "Tell Joseph to get the]dogs ready to go out with ua. I feel w dull to-day."