As soon as the Cure had reached Madame de Lavardens, she said:  “Without waiting for Monsieur de Larnac, I can tell you the names of the purchasers of the domain of Longueval.  I am quite easy on the subject, and have no doubt of the success of our plan.  In order to avoid any foolish disputes, we have agreed among ourselves, that is, among our neighbors, Monsieur de Larnac, Monsieur Gallard, a great Parisian banker, and myself.  Monsieur de Larnac will have La Mionne, Monsieur Gallard the castle and Blanche-Couronne, and La Rozeraie.  I know you, Monsieur le Cure, you will be anxious about your poor, but comfort yourself.  These Gallards are rich and will give you plenty of money.”

At this moment a cloud of dust appeared on the road, from it emerged a carriage.

“Here comes Monsieur de Larnac!” cried Paul, “I know his ponies!”

All three hurriedly descended from the terrace and returned to the castle.  They arrived there just as M. de Larnac’s carriage drove up to the entrance.

“Well?” asked Madame de Lavardens.

“Well!” replied M. de Larnac, “we have nothing.”

“What?  Nothing?” cried Madame de Lavardens, very pale and agitated.

“Nothing, nothing; absolutely nothing—­the one or the other of us.”

And M. de Larnac springing from his carriage, related what had taken place at the sale before the Tribunal of Souvigny.

“At first,” he said, “everything went upon wheels.  The castle went to Monsieur Gallard for 650,000 francs.  No competitor—­a raise of fifty francs had been sufficient.  On the other hand, there was a little battle for Blanche-Couronne.  The bids rose from 500,000 francs to 520,000 francs, and again Monsieur Gallard was victorious.  Another and more animated battle for La Rozeraie; at last it was knocked down to you, Madame, for 455,000 francs . . . .  I got the forest of La Mionne without opposition at a rise of 100 francs.  All seemed over, those present had risen, our solicitors were surrounded with persons asking the names of the purchasers.”

“Monsieur Brazier, the judge intrusted with the sale, desired silence, and the bailiff of the court offered the four lots together for 2,150,000 or 2,160,000 francs, I don’t remember which.  A murmur passed through the assembly.  ‘No one will bid’ was heard on all sides.  But little Gibert, the solicitor, who was seated in the first row, and till then had given no sign of life, rose and said calmly, ’I have a purchaser for the four lots together at 2,200,000 francs.’  This was like a thunderbolt.  A tremendous clamor arose, followed by a dead silence.  The hall was filled with farmers and laborers from the neighborhood.  Two million francs!  So much money for the land threw them into a sort of respectful stupor.  However, Monsieur Gallard, bending toward Sandrier, the solicitor who had bid for him, whispered something in his ear.  The struggle began between Gibert and Sandrier.  The bids rose to 2,500,000 francs.  Monsieur Gallard hesitated for a moment—­decided—­continued up to 3,000,000.  Then he stopped and the whole went to Gibert.  Every one rushed on him, they surrounded—­they crushed him:  ‘The name, the name of the purchaser?’ ’It is an American,’ replied Gibert, ‘Mrs. Scott.’”