"Well! the first clerk had already opened his mouth to utter some piece of insolence; but as soon as he recognized the writing on the letter, he became serious as a thrashed donkey, imposed silence on his comrades, and rose, saying to me respectfully: 'I will have the honor of conducting Mr. Dominique to my master.' I entered the presence of the solicitor, until then invisible or insolent. Quite another reception! The vulture had become a young turtle-dove, and cooed at me these words, after he had read the letter: 'I have never for an instant doubted the successful issue of the Marquis's lawsuit against the Intendant of Xaintonge, touching the forests of Brion. . . . This letter removes the only difficulties which prevented the prosecution of the case, which I will immediately attend to, while waiting for the documents of the great lawsuit against the German princes. I have also so much faith in the validity of the cause of Monsieur the Marquis, that I am willing, sir, to open an account with him to the amount of twenty thousand livres . . . this sum not being the fifth part of that which he will obtain for his claims on the Intendancy of Xaintonge." "But it is a dream! a dream!" said the Marquis, putting his hand to his forehead. "Truly, it seems to me such," replied Dominique, "and in order to assure myself of its reality, I accepted the offer of Mr. Buston, having your power of attorney." "Well," said Létorière, "go on" . . . "Yes, well," said Dominique, handing a portfolio to the Marquis,--"on my simple receipt, he has advanced twenty thousand livres, which behold, in bonds at sight, on the public funds." . . . It would be impossible to paint the astonishment and joy of the actors in this scene. After thanks and benedictions without number, the tailor, his wife, and apprentice, retired. The Marquis remaining alone with Dominique, exhausted himself with vain conjectures as to the source of this mysterious favor. Bordier, the worker in ebony, could give no information as to the purchaser of the desk. The solicitor, maintained the most obstinate silence as to the contents and author of the letter which had made so great a change in his view of the Marquis's lawsuit. Later, the private secretary of the Duke of Bourbon answered, that his Highness had himself ordered the appointment of Master Landry to be tailor of his household. When the health of the Marquis was fully reestablished, he went to occupy, with Dominique, a small apartment in the Faubourg St. Germain. The brave Jerome Sicard, the coachman who was willing to carry Létorière _gratis_, because he resembled _a good angel_, was installed there, to his great joy, as valet-de-chambre. This was the only recompense which he solicited, when the Marquis asked him in what manner he should acknowledge his services. It is unnecessary to say that Sicard, Master Landry, and his wife, were also generously and delicately recompensed for their kindness.