"We want to get rid of the nobles in Nemours."
"I did hear the old lady say that if she could settle her affairs she
should go and live in Brittany, as she would not have means enough
left to live her. She is thinking of selling her house."
"Well, sell it to me," said Minoret.
"To you?" said Zelie. "You talk as if you were master of everything.
What do you want with two houses in Nemours?"
"If I don't settle this matter of the farm with you to-night," said
Bongrand, "our lease will get known, Massin will put in a fresh claim,
and I shall lose this chance of liquidation which I am anxious to
make. So if you don't take my offer I shall go at once to Melun, where
some farmers I know are ready to buy the farm with their eyes shut."
"Why did you come to us, then?" said Zelie.
"Because you can pay me in cash, and my other clients would make me
wait some time for the money. I don't want difficulties."
"Get _her_ out of Nemours and I'll pay it," exclaimed Minoret.
"You understand that I cannot answer for Madame de Portenduere's
actions," said Bongrand. "I can only repeat what I heard her say, but
I feel certain they will not remain in Nemours.
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