human
My father had bought nearly two thousand shares when they were down to next to nothing. They came to me when he died. It was mere waste paper for years and years. Then all of a sudden--pouff!--they began to go up and up--and I sold them when they were near a thousand. I could have afforded the two millions of francs--and I promised to settle Melcourt-le-Danois on them into the bargain, when I--if I ever should--But my niece wouldn't take him--simply--would--not. Ah, she cried, in a strangled voice,
gpt
But did she know you were--what shall I say?--negotiating?
human
She was in that stupid England. It wasn't a thing I could write to her about. I meant it as a surprise. When all was settled I sent for her--and told her. Oh, monsieur, vous n'avez pas d'idée! Queue scène! Queue scène! J'ai failli en mourir.
gpt
That girl has an anger like a storm. Avec tous ses airs de reine et de sainte--she was terrible. Never shall I forget it--jamais! jam-ais! au grand jamais! Et puis, she added, with a fatalistic toss of her hands,
human
It would have made her. It would have made _me_. We could have dictated to the Faubourg. We could have humiliated them--like that. She stamped her foot.
gpt
It would have been a great alliance--what I've been so much in need of. The Melcourt--well, they're all very well--old noblesse de la Normandie, and all that--but poor!--mais pauvres!--and as provincial as a curé de campagne. When I married my poor husband--but we won't go into that--I've been a widow since I was so high--ever since 1870--with my own way to make. If my niece hadn't deserted me I could have made it. Now all that is past--fini-ni-ni! The clan Berteuil has set the Faubourg against me. They've the power, too. It's all so intricate, so silent, such wheels within wheels--but it's done. They've never wanted me. They don't want any of us--not for ourselves. It's the sou!--the sou!--the everlasting sou! Noble or peasant--it makes no difference. But if my niece hadn't abandoned me--
human
Why shouldn't you come home, madame? Davenant suggested, touched by so much that was tragic.
gpt
You wouldn't find any one after the sou there.
human
They're all about me, she whispered--
gpt
she added, fiercely,
human
I'm afraid, madame, that help is too far in the future to be of much assistance now. Besides, I'm not sure it's what they want. We've managed to keep Mr. Henry Guion out of prison. That danger is over. Our present concern is for Miss Olivia Guion's happiness.