He never came to Gondreville; leaving all matters concerning the property to the management of Grevin, the Arcis notary.

After all, what had he to fear ?--he, a former representative of the Aube, and president of a club of Jacobins.

And yet, the unfavorable opinion of Michu held by the lower classes was shared by the bourgeoisie, and Marion, Grevin, and Malin, without giving any reason or compromising themselves on the subject, showed that they regarded him as an extremely dangerous man.

The authorities, who were under instructions from the minister of police to watch the bailiff, did not of course lessen this belief.

The neighborhood wondered that he kept his place, but supposed it was in consequence of the terror he inspired.