resolution which has dictated this new expiatory gift."

"I have pointed out the Morel family, nothing more; I beg you to believe
me, M. l'Abbe," answered Jacques Ferrand.

"Now," said Polidori, "you are going to see, M. l'Abbe, what noble
philanthropic views my friend Jacques has concerning the charitable
establishment of which we have already had some conversation; he is going
to read to you the plan which he has definitively arranged; the money
necessary for the capital is there in the chest; but, since yesterday, he
has had some scruples, and if he does not mention them to you, I will do it
for him."

"It is useless," replied Jacques Ferrand, who sometimes chose rather to
wound his feelings by his own words than to submit in silence to the
ironical praises of his tormentor. "Here is the fact, M. l'Abbe. I have
thought that it would be more modest--more Christian-like, that this
establishment should not be instituted in my name."

"But this humility is overstrained," cried the abbe. "You can--you ought to
pride yourself on your charitable investment. It is right, almost a duty,
for you to attach your name to it."

"I prefer, M. l'Abbe, to preserve the incognito: I am resolved on it; and I
count on your kindness to make all the necessary arrangements, and select
the inferior officers of the establishment; I reserve alone for myself the
nomination of the director and porter."

"Even if it were not a real pleasure for me to assist you in your good
works, it would be my duty to accept the office."