"I'd give thirty thousand francs if God would call uncle to himself
before the marriage of young Portenduere with that affected minx can
take place," she said.
Goupil accompanied Monsieur and Madame Minoret to the middle of their
great courtyard, and there said, looking round to see if they were
quite alone:
"Will you give me the means of buying Dionis's practice? If you will,
I will break off the marriage between Portenduere and Ursula."
"How?" asked the colossus.
"Do you think I am such a fool as to tell you my plan?" said the
notary's head clerk.
"Well, my lad, separate them, and we'll see what we can do," said
Zelie.
"I don't embark in any such business on a 'we'll see.' The young man
is a fire-eater who might kill me; I ought to be rough-shod and as
good a hand with a sword or a pistol as he is. Set me up in business,
and I'll keep my word."
"Prevent the marriage and I will set you up," said the post master.
"It is nine months since you have been thinking of lending me a paltry
fifteen thousand francs to buy Lecoeur's practice, and you expect me
to trust you now! Nonsense; you'll lose your uncle's property, and
serve you right.
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