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He had lingered longer at the window than he had meant to do, perhaps because he could see that the young woman was talking with some person in a back room, the door of which stood open. Chupin tried to find out who this person was, but he did not succeed; and he was about to go in when suddenly he saw Madame Paul rise from her seat and say a few words with an air of displeasure.
No, you say no? What will you give me, comrade? A third? Is that too much? A quarter, then " Chupin felt that all the soldiers were enjoying his terrible humiliation. They were sneering at him, and only an instant before they had avoided coming in contact with him with evident horror.
"Ah! it is Father Chupin," murmured one of the peasants with a sigh of relief. "The same," observed another. "He seems to be in a terrible hurry." "The old rascal has probably stolen the horse he is riding." This last remark disclosed the reputation Father Chupin enjoyed among his neighbors. He was, indeed, one of those thieves who are the scourge and the terror of the rural districts.
This would have ended the matter if Chupin had not chanced to know the Viscount de Coralth's shameful past. And this knowledge changed everything, for it gave him the power to interfere in a most effectual manner. Armed with this secret, he could bestow the victory on M. Fortunat, and force M. de Coralth to capitulate.
What a misfortune!" "You may well say so; and this is the second time such a thing has happened to me. I remember now what a shrewd fellow named Chupin once said to me.
At last even the most determined succumbed; to escape this frightful persecution, they, somehow or other, found the money to satisfy M. Fortunat's claim. Besides Victor Chupin, he had five other agents whose business it was to visit these poor wretches. A list was assigned to each man every morning; and when evening came, he made his report to the cashier, who in turn reported to his employer.
"Pardon! he did not tell me," replied Father Chupin; "but one need not be very cunning to guess. He comes to revisit his former estates, and to take them from those who have purchased them, if possible.
Moreover, Chupin distinctly saw what connection there was between the letter to the baroness and the letter to Madame Paul. He understood that one was the natural consequence of the other. Deserted by her husband, Madame Paul had at last become weary of poverty and privations.
"On the contrary, nothing could be easier," replied the clerk, glad of an opportunity to explain the ingenious mechanism of the office to an outsider. "Have you ten minutes to spare?" "Ten days, if necessary," rejoined Chupin. "Then you shall see." So saying the clerk rose and went into the adjoining room, whence a moment later he returned carrying a large green box.
And finally by an odalisque, who fills his goblet with the foaming infusion of malt and hops. This odalisque is very fair and stout, and some fair Alsatian damsel has evidently sat as the model. As Tantaine was gazing upon this wondrous work of art he heard a squeaking voice just behind him. "That is certainly that young rogue Chupin," muttered he.
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