But don't let's forget that
Dumay is going to leave all his money to Modeste. Dumay, you know, is
a Breton, and that fact clinches the matter; he won't go back from his
word, and his fortune is equal to the colonel's. But I don't approve
of Monsieur Mignon's taking back that villa, and, as they often ask my
advice, I told them so. 'You sink too much in it,' I said; 'if Vilquin
does not buy it back there's two hundred thousand francs which won't
bring you a penny; it only leaves you a hundred thousand to get along
with, and it isn't enough.' The colonel and Dumay are consulting about
it now. But nevertheless, between you and me, Modeste is sure to be
rich. I hear talk on the quays against it; but that's all nonsense;
people are jealous. Why, there's no such 'dot' in Havre," cried
Butscha, beginning to count on his fingers. "Two to three hundred
thousand in ready money," bending back the thumb of his left hand with
the forefinger of his right, "that's one item; the reversion of the
villa Mignon, that's another; 'tertio,' Dumay's property!" doubling
down his middle finger. "Ha! little Modeste may count upon her six
hundred thousand francs as soon as the two old soldiers have got their
marching orders for eternity.
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