The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-12-17
Nantes the Elegant.

Here, at last, was an element of activity for
George, 80 despairing in his solitude and impo-
tence. He respectfully pressed his lips to the
portraib received from Borghese (perhaps she
told him that Jeanne had doue the same), and
thanked that excellent friend for her servicesi
but there was no time now for sketching,
more important work besought bis attention
His high position in the establishment of
III. Wolff left him at liberty to pursue his own
course in cases of emergency. He hastily fX-
camation, Cali is not lost !" Immediately set
ont for Nantes, the abode of the implacable
heirs who had caused all this trouble.
Nantes, denominated the Elegant, and, &C.
cordipg to universal testimony, deserving of
the appellation, appeared to him the most de.
testable place in the world. Wishing to act
pru6eutly, he had his arrival announced to M.
Doucet, the cruel prosecutor of the orphans,
and represented himself SO charged with a
commission relating to the business OF the
Demoiselles Duval.
He was ushered into the presence of man
of mature age; his exterior was plump, his
manners affable and somewhat joVisl. Every
| thing about the house bespoke ease and COM
| fort.
Monsieur said George. ''your friendly
| greeting and benevolent air inspire me with
the hope that you will aid me in rescuing my
| clients from tHeir painful Positions"
"You are right, monsieur. answered the tat
man; honest people Immediately recognize
one another; it is sort of freemasonTy; L
| am convinced that we shall come to au under
| standing. l know how honorable these young
persons are, Upon my word they are chorD4-
|
| ell eh! l cannot help paying them some COM
| phi nenJ"
Monsieur replied George, 81 thought We
| were here TO discuss serIons thIngs."
"ExICtly, monsieur, exactly. AS heir OF my
excellent uncle DIucet. whom l shall always
regret, ard as administrator upon this worthy
relatives estate, l find myself under the ne
cessity of reclaimiDg from the Denoiselles
Duval, both of age, tie restitution of ten
Thousand francs which their mother owed this
good uncle Doucet, with interest from the date
of the loan. But give yourself no uneasiness !;
am a person who will be as gentle as possi-
BILE in the execution of this mandate, and the
ladies'
"But, monsieur, you know very well that
they have nothing in the world, and it is with
the greatest difficulty their toll supplies the
bare necessities of life"
"No doubt; but they have friends" said NJ
Doucet, laughing; "they have friends, fol
every body is interested in snGh charming per
: sons, and truly they merit it,"
"Why do you make them responsible tor the
8 debts of their mother, who left them nothing
They were not OF age when she died, ard yot
y know very well that they owe nothi nE
: "Ol my dear monsieur" replied NJ. Doucet
u with q penetrating look, "you don't understand
u the persons of whom you speak. 1t is mat
>; >; ter Of heart, of seIf-abaegation! Do you knov
l they possess one very rare trai!, and for Wax
y they will be rewarded in-iu a better woriu Z
= "Ar d what is this extraordinary trait "
q 'Filal piety, monsieur, piety. Ihey recoe
u niz I'd and assumed spontaneously their INC
theirs debt, wteu, arriving at majority, the
% were free o do So Nothing was necessary ex
( cept few ThreaJe-we could seiZe the tnrn
n ture, the family portraits, altogether nc
ss worth q Thousand francs They very soon az
kno y led Ied tho ten Thousand francs. 'I"a
~ admirable, mousieurF
30 And" replied George Indignantly, "yo
q, doubtless intend to- take advantage of such a
~ irregniar proceedings For the cause of th
To debt cannot be pointed out"
ut is a perfectly regular proceedtng, sal
IS, NJ. Doucet, with a benign air. "Tnere wei
1g varions ways of coming to an acoommod'
ton, bnt they would nos agree to my pfopos
E.,k kI,p1,h hpI rod to hnhn
e. little more amiably, we'll, it might perhal
nd have been better for them. People are alwaJ
ne disposed to be accommodating when treate
m in proper manner and besides, 1t was
Id their interest; but they are very proud, vel
nd proud indeed. They wear their poverty like
er diadem, monsieur repeat it, like diaden
en- Ny! it was superb Bat then say, IN
,n, pretty ladies, restore me my money, or allo
to me to seizs-a quotation from the opera, W
10. know" Aud he laughed coarsely.
US Monsieur" said George, rising, this all a
ed will lead you further than you think"
Ne "OhI the right exists. could seize upc
er their goods tomorrow, but am q kind m a
irs 1 am not named Do0cet (sweetish) in vain
en- ehl eh! Excuse me, even in business l oaun
resist pupning."
RS ever"
sst "Ah! my dear monsieur, in business '
q should keep our temper. 1 either have
we have not the law on my side; it's as simple
,u- good-d and, in assuming such q tone, "
ng forget perhaps the true interests of your ami
an BILE clients. Bat do you really find me har
ng merciless 7 hAh! you are unacqualnted wi
ley NJ. Doucet; enquire all around the country
to the general opinion; everybody in Mant
ed the Elegant will tell you that he is the mo
NV atfs6e of meu. l am a member of u benev
we lent society, have been church-w arden, al
ou would be yet, except Tor tue obstacles Whlcn
re- but it would consume too much time to ia
on about these things indeed, would not hsr
he a mouse. But to reJrru to these ladies: nav
do we NOT offered them the means OF Wlthurawli
TO from this diti culCy, without exhausting the
slender purse aud they will not agree to
air The otter day, we were just Gu the point oi
ex. detsrmlp alton, but the lLtle one-what Is d
at uamef'
ote "Mademoiselle Jeanne" said George. 1--WE
to- what thenf'
pa "Ah! but she is obstinate. that little "
man. If ever she m Lrries-for all that, she
led not 80 bad, and"
Don Continue, monsieur!" exclaimed GeorI
Sc greatly irrltated. What were your cohcli
aid "You are aware of that strange story tb
oor tell of holding in reserve receipt of thiI
- Z ..l. LII. d.