"
"How much did your Republic get out of you?"
"A thousand crowns, my dear man," replied the banker, with a piteous
air, hoping for a reduction.
"If your Republic gets forced loans out of you for such big sums as
that you must see that you would do better with us; our government
would cost you less. Three hundred crowns, do you call that dear for
your skin?"
"Where am I to get them?"
"Out of your strong-box," said Pille-Miche; "and mind that the money
is forthcoming, or we'll singe you still."
"How am I to pay it to you?" asked d'Orgemont.
"Your country-house at Fougeres is not far from Gibarry's farm where
my cousin Galope-Chopine, otherwise called Cibot, lives. You can pay
the money to him," said Pille-Miche.
"That's not business-like," said d'Orgemont.
"What do we care for that?" said Marche-a-Terre. "But mind you
remember that if that money is not paid to Galope-Chopine within two
weeks we shall pay you a little visit which will cure your gout. As
for you, Coupiau," added Marche-a-Terre, "your name in future is to be
Mene-a-Bien."
So saying, the two Chouans departed. The traveller returned to the
vehicle, which, thanks to Coupiau's whip, now made rapid progress to
Fougeres.
"If you'd only been armed," said Coupiau, "we might have made some
defence."
"Idiot!" cried d'Orgemont, pointing to his heavy shoes.
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