“Do you wish for it?”
“I cannot deprive you of it.”
“Take it.”
“Oh, countess, you are a precious friend; but while you have worked for me, I have not forgotten you.”
Jeanne looked surprised.
“Yes,” said he, “my banker came to propose to me some plan of a marsh to drain, which must be profitable. I took two hundred shares, and fifty of them are for you.”
“Oh, monseigneur!”
“He soon returned, he had realized already on them cent. per cent. He gave me 100,000 francs, and here is your share, dear countess;” and from the pocket-book she had just given him he slid 25,000 francs into her hand.
“Thanks, monseigneur. What gratifies me most is, that you thought of me.”
“I shall ever do so,” said he, kissing her hand.