"What does all this mean?" demanded Michel.
"Oh, hang it! if Monsieur le baron would only have the kindness to write down what he has just said,--who knows which of us will die first? For my part, I am ready to swear,--here's a crucifix,--well, I swear by Christ--"
"I don't want your oaths, Courtin, for I shall go from here to Souday and warn Jean Oullier to be on his guard, and Bonneville to get another resting-place."
"So much the more reason," said Courtin, offering a pen to his young master.
Michel took the pen and wrote as follows on the paper which the farmer laid before him:--
"I, the undersigned, Auguste-François Michel, Baron de la Logerie, agree to renew the lease of farmer Courtin on the same conditions as the present lease."
Then, as he was about to date it, Courtin stopped him.
"Don't put the date, if you please, my young master," he said. "We will date it the day after you come of age."
"So be it," said Michel.
He then merely signed it, and left, between the pledge and the signature, a line to receive the future date.