"Are you perfectly serious in all you have told me, M.Daburon ?" she asked.
"I have stated the truth," murmured the magistrate.
"You are then very rich ?" "I inherited, madame, from my mother, about twenty thousand francs a year.

One of my uncles, who died last year, bequeathed me over a hundred thousand crowns.

My father is worth about a million.

Were I to ask him for the half to-morrow, he would give it to me; he would give me all his fortune, if it were necessary to my happiness, and be but too well contented, should I leave him the administration of it." Madame d'Arlange signed to him to be silent; and, for five good minutes at least, she remained plunged in reflection, her forehead resting in her hands.

At length she raised her head.
"Listen," said she.