"That's a point on which my father and the baroness will agree," said Bertha, laughing.
"But," continued the notary, pointedly, "Monsieur Michel will be of age in a few months,--consequently, free as to his actions, and the master of an immense fortune."
"As to his actions," said Bertha, "so much the better for him."
"In what way, mademoiselle?" asked the notary, maliciously.
"Why to rehabilitate the name he bears and efface the evil memories his father left behind him. As to the fortune, if I were the woman Monsieur Michel honored with his affection, I should advise him to make such use of it that there would soon be no name in the whole province more honored than his."
"What use would you advise him to make of it?" exclaimed the notary, much astonished.
"To return that money to those from whom they say his father got it, and to make restitution to the former proprietors of the national domain which M. Michel bought."
"But in that case, mademoiselle, you would ruin the man who had the honor to be in love with you," said the little notary, quite bewildered.
"What would that matter if he obtained the respect of all, and the regard of her who advised the sacrifice?"
Just then Rosine appeared at the door of the salon.