"There is another question I should like to ask. As soon as these formalities have been complied with, do I come into possession of my father's property?" "Certainly, my dear Louis." "Then I will tell you what I intend to do. I have brought you gold coin to the amount of more than two hundred thousand francs. I found it in a chest in the room I occupied with my father. Out of this amount, I wish you to take enough to purchase an annuity of twelve thousand francs for the godmother of a young girl that I am about to marry." "But does this young girl's financial condition--" "My dear patron," interrupted Louis, respectfully but firmly, "the young girl I speak of is a working girl, and supports herself and her godmother by her daily toil. I have loved her a long time, and no human power can prevent me from marrying her." "So be it," replied the notary, understanding the uselessness of any further protest. "I will settle the desired amount upon the person designated." "I also desire to take from this sum of money about fifteen thousand francs to set up housekeeping in a suitable manner." "Only fifteen thousand francs!" exclaimed the notary, surprised at the modesty of this request. "Will that be enough?" "My affianced wife is, like myself, accustomed to a frugal and laborious life, so the income from fifteen thousand francs, together with the proceeds of our labour, will more than suffice." "The proceeds of your labour! What! do you intend--" "To remain in your office if you do not consider me unworthy of your confidence." "Remain a notary's clerk when you have an income of more than two hundred thousand francs a year?" "I cannot and will not take possession of this immense fortune for a long time to come. Even when the death of my father has been legally established, I shall still feel a vague hope of again seeing the parent I so deeply mourn." "Alas! I fear there is little hope of that, my poor Louis." "Still, I shall cherish the hope as long as possible; and so long as I do, I shall not consider myself at liberty to dispose of my father's property,--at least only to the extent I have indicated to you. Will you not, therefore, continue to take charge of the estate exactly as you have done in the past?" "I cannot but admire the course you have decided upon, my dear Louis," replied the notary, with unfeigned emotion. "Your conduct now conforms in every respect with that you have always maintained. You could not do greater honour to your father's memory than by acting thus. It shall be as you wish. I will remain the custodian of your fortune, and the annuity you spoke of shall be purchased this very day." "There is a detail in relation to that matter, about which I should like to speak, trivial and almost absurd as it may appear to you." "What do you mean?"