reasons can be silenced by the superior consideration of money. Well,
how much is it?"

"That's only fair, monsieur the deputy. How much longer does your own
lease run?"

"Seven years," answered Birotteau.

"Think what my first floor will be worth in seven years!" said
Molineux. "Why, what would two furnished rooms let for in that
quarter?--more than two hundred francs a month perhaps! I am binding
myself--binding myself by a lease. The rent ought to be fifteen
hundred francs. At that price I will consent to the transfer of the
two rooms by Monsieur Cayron, here present," he said, with a sly wink
at the umbrella-man; "and I will give you a lease of them for seven
consecutive years. The costs of piercing the wall are to belong to
you; and you must procure the consent of Monsieur le comte de
Grandville and the cession of all his rights in the matter. You are
responsible for all damage done in making this opening. You will not
be expected to replace the wall yourself, that will be my business;
but you will at once pay me five hundred francs as an indemnity
towards it. We never know who may live or die, and I can't run after
anybody to get the wall rebuilt."

"Those conditions seem to me pretty fair," said Birotteau.

"Next," said Molineux. "You must pay me seven hundred and fifty
francs, _hic et hinc_, to be deducted from the last six months of your
lease; this will be acknowledged in the lease itself. Oh, I will
accept small bills for the value of the rent at any date you please! I