“But, monsieur, if you’re going to sell a house you must have buyers; and to bring them together it is necessary for them to know beforehand that it’s to be sold.”
“Don’t be afraid, all the formalities have been attended to; the notices were posted.”
“I didn’t see them.”
“That isn’t my fault.”
“Among all these people that I see here, there isn’t one who will buy my house.”
“Pshaw! there’s sure to be someone; at a pinch, I’ll buy it myself.”
“You, monsieur!”
“Bless me! if no other purchaser comes forward, I shall have to take it; it will embarrass me a good deal, but I shall be driven to it!”
As he said this, Monsieur Jarnouillard rubbed his hands, thinking:
“There won’t be any other purchaser and I shall get the house for almost nothing. Then I can let it to Guillot, and it will add just so much to my income.”