that what is now interesting you so deeply (and you ought to be interested in it), namely, the sale of this lawyer’s book, depends on the value of the work.  Have you read it?  Besides, though the book may be an excellent one, how many excellent books remain one, two, three years without obtaining the success they deserve.  Alas! how many crowns of fame are laid upon a grave!  I know that publishers have ways of negotiating and realizing profits which make their business the most hazardous to do with, and the most difficult to unravel, of all the trades of Paris.  Monsieur Joseph can tell you of these difficulties, inherent in the making of books.  Thus, you see, we are sensible; we have experience of all miseries, also of all trades, for we have studied Paris for many years.  The Mongenods have helped us in this; they have been like torches to us.  It is through them that we know how the Bank of France holds the publishing business under constant suspicion; although it is one of the most profitable trades, it is unsound.  As for the four thousand francs necessary to save this noble family from the horrors of penury,—­for that poor boy and his grandfather must be fed and clothed properly,—­I will give them to you at once.  There are sufferings, miseries, wants, which we immediately relieve, without hesitation, without even asking whom we help; religion, honor, character, are all indifferent to us; but when it comes to lending money to the poor to assist them in any active form of industry or commerce, then we require guarantees, with all the sternness of usurers.  So you must, my dear child, limit your enthusiasm for this unhappy family to finding for the father an honest publisher.  This concerns Monsieur Joseph.  He knows lawyers, professors, authors of works on jurisprudence; I will speak to him, and next Sunday he will be sure to have some good advice to give you.  Don’t feel uneasy; some way will certainly be found to solve the difficulty.  Perhaps it would be well, however, if Monsieur Joseph were to read the lawyer’s book.  If you think it can be done, you had better obtain the manuscript.”

Godefroid was amazed at the good sense of this woman, whom he had thought controlled by the spirit of charity only.  He took her beautiful hand and kissed it, saying:—­

“You are good sense and judgment too!”

“We must be all that in our business,” she replied, with the soft gaiety of a real saint.

There was a moment’s silence, and then Godefroid exclaimed:—­

“Two thousand debtors! did you say that, madame? two thousand accounts to keep! why, it is immense!”

“Oh!  I meant two thousand accounts which rely for liquidation, as I told you, on the delicacy and good feeling of our debtors; but there are fully three thousand other families whom we help who make us no other return than thanks to God.  This is why we feel, as I told you, the necessity of keeping books ourselves.  If you prove to us your discretion and capacity you shall be, if you like, our accountant.  We keep a day-book, a ledger, a book of current accounts, and a bank-book.  We have many notes, but we lose a great deal of time in looking them up.  Ah! here are the gentlemen,” she added.