“What has happened?” asked Brigitte.

“They want twenty-five thousand francs, and, in order to get the better of us, the notary, or his accomplices, have determined to bid in the property.  Thuillier, put five thousand francs in your pocket and come with me; I will secure that house to you.  I am making myself implacable enemies!” he cried; “they are seeking to destroy me morally.  But all I ask is that you will disregard their infamous calumnies and feel no change of heart to me.  After all, what is it?  If I succeed, you will only have paid one hundred and twenty-five thousand francs for the house instead of one hundred and twenty.”

“Provided the same thing doesn’t happen again,” said Brigitte, uneasily, her eyes dilating under the effect of a violent suspicion.

“Preferred creditors have alone the right to bid in property, and as, in this case, there is but one, and he has used that right, we are safe.  The amount of his claim is really only two thousand francs, but there are lawyers, attorneys, and so forth, to pay in such matters, and we shall have to drop a note of a thousand francs to make the creditor happy.”

“Go, Thuillier,” said Brigitte, “get your hat and gloves, and take the money—­from you know where.”

“As I paid those fifteen thousand francs without success, I don’t wish to have any more money pass through my hands.  Thuillier must pay it himself,” said Theodose, when he found himself alone with Brigitte.  “You have, however, gained twenty thousand on the contract I enabled you to make with Grindot, who thought he was serving the notary, and you own a piece of property which in five years will be worth nearly a million.  It is what is called a ‘boulevard corner.’”

Brigitte listened uneasily, precisely like a cat which hears a mouse within the wall.  She looked Theodose straight in the eye, and, in spite of the truth of his remarks, doubts possessed her.

“What troubles you, little aunt?”

“Oh!  I shall be in mortal terror until that property is securely ours.”

“You would be willing to give twenty thousand francs, wouldn’t you,” said Theodose, “to make sure that Thuillier was what we call, in law, ‘owner not dispossessable’ of that property?  Well, then, remember that I have saved you twice that amount.”

“Where are we going?” asked Thuillier, returning.

“To Maitre Godeschal!  We must employ him as our attorney.”

“But we refused him for Celeste.”

“Well, that’s one reason for going to him,” replied Theodose.  “I have taken his measure; he’s a man of honor, and he’ll think it a fine thing to do you a service.”