These fairly
swarmed with men loading and unloading ships and bateaux, and piling
and unpiling goods.
The Chevalier glanced with disdain at the magazines, and flourishing
his cane, mounted leisurely the broad steps of the Palace, and was
at once admitted to the council-room.
"Better late than never, Chevalier des Meloises!" exclaimed Bigot,
carelessly glancing at him as he took a seat at the board, where sat
Cadet, Varin, Penisault, and the leading spirits of the Grand
Company. "You are in double luck to-day. The business is over, and
Dame Friponne has laid a golden egg worth a Jew's tooth for each
partner of the Company."
The Chevalier did not notice, or did not care for, the slight touch
of sarcasm in the Intendant's tone. "Thanks, Bigot!" drawled he.
"My eggs shall be hatched to-night down at Menut's. I expect to
have little more left than the shell of it to-morrow."
"Well, never mind! We have considered all that, Chevalier. What
one loses another gets. It is all in the family. Look here,"
continued he, laying his finger upon a page of the ledger that lay
open before him, "Mademoiselle Angelique des Meloises is now a
shareholder in the Grand Company.
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