"I do not know if I am dreaming or awake," said Dom Diégo, "but I throw myself in the gulf with my eyes shut." "You must be the very devil himself, doctor, for my instinct and reason revolt against your paradoxes. I do not believe one word of your promises, yet it is impossible for me to resist the curious desire to accompany you." The canon and the abbé followed the doctor, entered his carriage with him, and soon the three arrived at the house occupied by the distinguished physician. CHAPTER XII. Doctor Gasterini lived in a charming house in the Faubourg du Roule, where he soon arrived in company with the canon and Abbé Ledoux. "While we are waiting for dinner, would you like to take a turn in the garden?" said the doctor, to his guests. "That will give me the opportunity to present to you my poor sister's eight children, my nephews and nieces, whom I have reared and established in the world respectably, entirely by means of gluttony. You see, canon, we still follow our subject." "What, doctor!" replied the canon, "you have reared a numerous family by means of gluttony?" "You do not see that the doctor continues to ridicule you!" said the abbé, shrugging his shoulders. "It is too much by far!" "I give you my word of honour as an honest man," replied Doctor Gasterini, "and besides, I am going to prove to you in a moment, by facts, that if I had not been the greatest gourmand among men, I should never have known how to make for each one of my nephews and nieces the excellent positions which they hold, as worthy, honest, and intelligent labourers, contributing, each in his sphere, to the prosperity of the country." "So we are really to see people who contribute to the prosperity of the country, and for that we may thank the doctor's love of eating!" said the canon, with amazement. "No," cried the abbé, "what confounds me is to hear such absurdities maintained till the last moment, and--" but suddenly interrupting himself, he asked with surprise, as he looked around: "What is that building, doctor? It looks like shops." "That is my orangery," replied the doctor, "and to-day, as every year at this time, my birthday, they set up shops here." "How is that; set up shops, and what for?" asked the abbé. "Zounds! why, to sell, of course, my dear abbé." "Sell what? and who is to sell?" "As to what is sold, you will soon see, and as to the purchasers, why, they are my patrons, who are coming to spend the evening here." "Really, doctor, I do not comprehend you." "You know, my dear abbé, that for a long time charity shops have been kept by some of the prettiest women in Paris." "Ah, yes," replied the abbé; "the proceeds to be given to the poor." "This is the same; the proceeds of this evening's sale will be distributed among the poor of my district." "And who are to keep these shops?" asked the canon.