And for an hour the discussion would continue in this tone. The results were duly consigned to the secret account book, and then would follow the question of investments. "Monsieur Loiseau tells me that the Western Railway shares have dropped. He advises me to buy Northern. He says that Northern means Rothschild, which means a good deal, you understand, Victorine." "That Monsieur Loiseau knows everything! You must do as he says. Me, I don't know anything about such things." "Well, then, put down Northern instead of Western shares. As for the dividends, they talk of changing the rate of interest." "What does that mean?" "It is just a way of making us lose money." "What then?" "Well, then, we may have to get rid of our stock. I will talk it over with Monsieur Loiseau to-morrow, and perhaps also with the good _curé_ who is very well informed in these matters. Make a cross before those shares, so that I may not forget." And Aunt Rosalie actually did ply notary and _curé_ with questions about her investments, and the use to be made of her fortune after her death. These two had acquired a liking for the topic. On the day when Aunt Rosalie, questioned by him with regard to her direct heirs, declared that as she had seen none of the Bretauds for more than forty years she "had decided not to leave any of them a penny's worth of her property," the _curé_ began pleading for the Church, for the Pope, and for his charities. His efforts were amply rewarded, for Aunt Rosalie, though not perhaps satisfying all his demands, generously wrote him down for large sums, of which she handed him the list, with great mystery. In return for which she received the confidential assurance of eternal felicity, although she never performed any of her religious duties. The notary, scenting something of this in the air, before long insinuated delicately that he would be glad of a "remembrance" from his old friend. How could she refuse, when his suggestions in the matter of investments were so valuable? "Give me good information and advice, Monsieur Loiseau," said Aunt Rosalie, with a kind smile. "You shall be rewarded. I will not forget you." And from time to time, by a codicil, of which he had taught her the form, she would add something in her will to the sum she intended for the good notary. Whereupon he would exert himself with renewed diligence in her garden, which he jovially called "hoeing Aunt Rosalie's will."