"What do you mean to say?" added the notary.
"And the Morels? this good and virtuous family."
"Ah! yes, yes; in truth, I forgot," said Jacques Ferrand, in a hollow voice.
"Imagine, M. l"Abbe," resumed Polidori, "that the author of this rest.i.tution, without doubt advised by Jacques Ferrand, not content with restoring this considerable sum, wishes still--but I will leave my worthy friend to explain; it is a pleasure of which I will not deprive him."
"I listen to you, my dear M. Ferrand," said the priest.
"You know," said Jacques Ferrand, with involuntary emotions of revolt against the part which was imposed on him--feelings which were betrayed by the alteration of his voice and the hesitancy of his speech; "you know, M.
l"Abbe, that the misconduct of Louise Morel was such a terrible blow for her father, that he has become mad. The numerous family of the artisan ran the risk of dying from want, deprived of their sole support. Happily, Providence has come to their succor; and the person who has made the voluntary rest.i.tution of which you are the agent, M. l"Abbe, has not thought this a sufficient expiation for a great abuse of confidence. He asked me if I did not know any deserving family in want of a.s.sistance. I mentioned the Morels, and he begged me, at the same time giving me the necessary funds, which I will hand to you presently, to request you to settle an annuity of two thousand francs on Morel, revertible to his wife and children."
"But, in truth," said the abbe, "in accepting this new charge, doubtless very responsible, I am astonished that it was not bestowed on you."
"The unknown person has thought, and I coincide with him, that his good works would acquire an additional value, would be, thus to speak, sanctified by pa.s.sing through hands as pious as yours, M. l"Abbe."
"To that I have nothing to answer; I will purchase an annuity of two thousand francs for Morel, the worthy and unfortunate father of Louise. But I think with your friend here that you have not been a stranger to the 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 n.o.ble 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 inst.i.tuted 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 a.s.sist you in your good works, it would be my duty to accept the office."
"Now, M. l"Abbe, if you will allow it, my friend will read you the plan decided upon."
"Since you are so obliging, _my friend_," said Jacques Ferrand, with bitterness, "read it yourself. Spare me this trouble, I pray you."
"No, no," answered Polidori, casting a look at the notary which he well understood, "it gives me great pleasure to hear from your own lips the n.o.ble sentiments which have guided you in this work of philanthropy."
"So be it--I will read," said the notary, hastily, taking up a paper which lay upon his desk.
Polidori, for a long time the accomplice of Jacques Ferrand, knew the crimes and secret thoughts of the scoundrel; hence he could not suppress a malicious smile on seeing him forced to read this paper, dictated by Rudolph. As will be seen, the prince showed himself inexorable in the logical manner with which he punished the notary.
l.u.s.tful--he tortured him by l.u.s.t. Covetous--by covetousness. Hypocritical-- by hypocrisy. For Rudolph had chosen this venerable abbe to be the agent for the rest.i.tutions and expiations imposed upon Jacques Fervand, because he wished doubly to punish him for having, by his detestable hypocrisy, obtained the esteem and affection of the good priest. Was it not, in effect, a great punishment for this hideous impostor--this hardened criminal, to be constrained to practice, at length, the Christian virtues which he had so often feigned to possess, and this time _really_ to deserve the just eulogiums of a respectable priest who had been his dupe?
Jacques Ferrand read the following note with feelings imagined.
_"Establishment of the Bank for Workmen out of Work."_
"Love ye one another."
"These divine words contain the germ of all duties, all virtues, all charities. They have inspired the humble founder of this Inst.i.tution. To G.o.d alone belong the benefits it may confer. Limited, as to the means of action, the founder has wished that the greatest number possible of his brothers should partic.i.p.ate in the succor offered. He addresses himself, in the first place, to honest, industrious workmen, with families, whom the want of work often reduces to the most cruel extremities. It is not a degrading alms which he gives to his brothers but a gratuitous loan which he offers. May this loan, as he hopes, prevent them often from resorting to those cruel pledges which they are forced to make (while awaiting the return of work), for the purpose of sustaining a family of which they are the sole support. The only guarantee for this loan which he demands from his brothers is their oath and honor. It has a revenue of twelve thousand francs, which will be loaned without interest to workmen with families and out of work, in sums of twenty to forty francs. These loans shall only be made to working men or women who shall bring a certificate of good conduct from their last employer, stating the cause and date of the suspension of employment. These loans will be repaid monthly by sixths or twelfths, at the choice of the borrower, commencing from the day on which he finds employment. He will subscribe a simple engagement of honor to reimburse the loan at stated periods. To this will be added, as indorsers, the names of two of his companions. The workman who shall not reimburse the amount borrowed by him, cannot, he or his indorsers, have any claims for a new loan; or he will have forfeited a sacred engagement, and, above all, deprived several of his brothers of the advantages which he has enjoyed.
The sums loaned, on the contrary, being scrupulously repaid, the same benefit can be bestowed on others. Not to degrade man by alms. Not to encourage idleness by a fruitless charity. To stimulate sentiments of honor and innate probity among the laboring cla.s.ses. To come in a brotherly manner to the aid of the workman, who, living already with difficulty from day to day, cannot, when no work can be procured, _suspend_ his wants or those of his family, because his work is suspended. Such are the thoughts which have given rise to this inst.i.tution. May He who has said, "Love ye one another," be glorified."
"Oh! sir," cried the abbe, with religious admiration, "what a charitable idea! how easily I can comprehend your emotion on reading these lines of such touching simplicity."
In truth, while finishing this reading, the voice of Jacques Ferrand was broken, his impatience and temper were at an end; but, watched by Polidori, he dared not, could not trangress the least orders of Rudolph. Let his rage be imagined at being forced to dispose so liberally of his fortune in favor of a cla.s.s whom he had so unmercifully persecuted in the person of Morel the lapidary.
"Is not the idea excellent, M. l"Abbe?" asked Polidori.
"Oh, sir, I, who am acquainted with all kinds of poverty, can comprehend, better than any one, of what importance this loan would be to poor and honest workmen without employ. Indigence without employment never finds credit, or, if obtainable, it is at a most usurious rate; they will lend thirty sous at eight days, and then forty must be returned; and even these loans are very difficult to be obtained; those from the p.a.w.nbrokers cost often near three hundred per cent. The artisan without work often pledges for forty sous the only covering which, during the nights of winter, defends him and his from the rigor of the cold. But," added the abbe, with enthusiasm, "a loan of thirty or forty francs without interest, and reimbursable by twelfths, when work returns-for honest workmen, it is their safety, it is hope, it is life. And with what fidelity they would pay it back! It is a sacred debt, which they have contracted to give bread to their wives and children!"
"How precious the eulogiums of M. l"Abbe must be to you, Jacques," said Polidori; "and how many more will he p.r.o.nounce when he hears of your establishment of a Feeless p.a.w.nbroker"s."
"How?"
"Certainly, M. l"Abbe, Jacques has not forgotten this; it is a kind of appendage to his Bank for the Poor."
"Can it be true?" cried the priest, clasping his hands with admiration.
"Continue, Jacques," said Polidori.
The notary proceeded to read with a rapid voice, for the whole scene was odious and hateful to him.
"These loans have for their object the remedy for one of the gravest incidents in the life of a laborer--intermission of work. They shall therefore be granted only to those out of employment. But it remains to provide for the other cruel embarra.s.sments which reach even those with employment. Often, the loss of one or two days, caused sometimes by fatigue, by the attention necessary to bestow on a wife or sick child, deprives the workman of his daily resources. Then he has recourse to the p.a.w.nbroker"s, or to unlawful lenders of money, at an enormous rate of interest. Wishing, as much as possible, to lighten the burden of his brothers, the founder of the Bank of the Poor sets apart an income of twenty-five thousand francs a year, for the purpose of lending on pledges, not to exceed the amount of ten francs for each loan. The borrowers will pay neither cost nor interest, but they must prove that they follow an honorable profession, and produce a declaration from their employers which will prove their morality. At the end of two years, the articles which have not been redeemed will be sold, without costs; the proceeds arising from the surplus of this sale shall be placed, at five per cent. interest, to the profit of the owners. At the end of five years, if this sum shall not be reclaimed, it shall be added to the Bank of the Poor. The administration and the office of said bank shall be placed in the Rue du Temple, No. 17, in a house bought for this purpose, in the center of that most populous quarter. A revenue of ten thousand francs shall be appropriated to the expenses and to the administration of the Bank of the Poor, of which the director for life shall be---"
Polidori interrupted the notary, and said to the priest, "You will see, M.
l"Abbe, by the choice of the director of this establishment, whether Jacques knows how to repair the wrong which he has involuntarily done. You know that by an error which he deplores, he had falsely accused his cashier of taking a sum which he afterward discovered."
"Doubtless."
"Well! it is to this honest young man, Francois Germain, that Jacques a.s.signs the life governorship of this bank, with a salary of four thousand francs. Is it not admirable, M. l"Abbe?"
"Nothing astonishes me now, or, rather, nothing has astonished me," said the priest. "The fervent piety, the virtues of our worthy friend, could hardly fail of such a result. To consecrate all his fortune to such an inst.i.tution--ah! it is admirable!"
"More than a million, M. l"Abbe," said Polidori, "more than a million, ama.s.sed by dint of order, economy, and probity; and yet there are those who accuse Jacques of avarice! How, said they, his office brings him in fifty or sixty thousand francs a year, and he lives like a miser!"
"To such as these," replied the abbe, with enthusiasm, "I would answer: During fifteen years he has lived like a poor man, in order to be able at the present time magnificently to solace the poor."
"Be, then, at least proud and joyous at the good you have done," cried Polidori, addressing Jacques Ferrand, who, gloomy and cast down, seemed absorbed in profound meditation.
"Alas!" said the abbe, sadly, "it is not in this world that one receives the recompense of so many virtues; he has a more exalted ambition."
"Jacques," said Polidori, touching the notary lightly on the shoulder, "finish your reading." The notary started, pa.s.sed his hand over his face, and said to the priest:
"Pardon, M. l"Abbe, but I was thinking--I was thinking of the immense extension that this bank for the poor might have from the returned loans.
If the loans of each year were regularly repaid at the end of four years, it would have already loaned about fifty thousand crowns on pledge or gratuitously. It is enormous--enormous; and I felicitate myself on it," he added, thinking of the value of the sacrifice imposed upon him. He resumed: "I was, I believe, at--"
"At the nomination of Francois Germain for director of the bank," said Polidori. Jacques Ferrand continued.
"A revenue often thousand francs shall be set aside for the expenses and administration of the Bank of the Poor without work, of which the perpetual director shall be Francois Germain, and the porter and keeper shall be the present porter of the house, named Pipelet.