all the good vineyards have kept back their vintages, intending to

wait; well, I didn't hinder them. The Belgian was in despair; I saw

that. In a minute the bargain was made. He takes my vintage at two

hundred francs the puncheon, half down. He paid me in gold; the notes

are drawn. Here are six louis for you. In three months wines will have

These words, uttered in a quiet tone of voice, were nevertheless so

bitterly sarcastic that the inhabitants of Saumur, grouped at this

moment in the market-place and overwhelmed by the news of the sale