By the time she reached the third floor she found herself short of breath, and for a moment was obliged to lean against the balustrade.  Quenu, much astonished, followed her into her bedroom without saying a word.  It was the first time she had ever invited him to enter it.  She closed the door, and letting go the corners of her apron, which her stiffened fingers could no longer hold up, she allowed a stream of gold and silver coins to flow gently upon her bed.  She had discovered Uncle Gradelle’s treasure at the bottom of a salting-tub.  The heap of money made a deep impression in the softy downy bed.

Lisa and Quenu evinced a quiet delight.  They sat down on the edge of the bed, Lisa at the head and Quenu at the foot, on either side of the heap of coins, and they counted the money out upon the counterpane, so as to avoid making any noise.  There were forty thousand francs in gold, and three thousand francs in silver, whilst in a tin box they found bank notes to the value of forty-two thousand francs.  It took them two hours to count up the treasure.  Quenu’s hands trembled slightly, and it was Lisa who did most of the work.

They arranged the gold on the pillow in little heaps, leaving the silver in the hollow depression of the counterpane.  When they had ascertained the total amount—­eighty-five thousand francs, to them an enormous sum—­they began to chat.  And their conversation naturally turned upon their future, and they spoke of their marriage, although there had never been any previous mention of love between them.  But this heap of money seemed to loosen their tongues.  They had gradually seated themselves further back on the bed, leaning against the wall, beneath the white muslin curtains; and as they talked together, their hands, playing with the heap of silver between them, met, and remained linked amidst the pile of five-franc pieces.  Twilight surprised them still sitting together.  Then, for the first time, Lisa blushed at finding the young man by her side.  For a few moments, indeed, although not a thought of evil had come to them, they felt much embarrassed.  Then Lisa went to get her own ten thousand francs.  Quenu wanted her to put them with his uncle’s savings.  He mixed the two sums together, saying with a laugh that the money must be married also.  Then it was agreed that Lisa should keep the hoard in her chest of drawers.  When she had locked it up they both quietly went downstairs.  They were now practically husband and wife.

The wedding took place during the following month.  The neighbours considered the match a very natural one, and in every way suitable.  They had vaguely heard the story of the treasure, and Lisa’s honesty was the subject of endless eulogy.  After all, said the gossips, she might well have kept the money herself, and not have spoken a word to Quenu about it; if she had spoken, it was out of pure honesty, for no one had seen her find the hoard.  She well deserved, they added, that Quenu should make her his