第262章

After once more reading his inventory with attention, Samuel said to his wife: "I am certain of the correctness of my additions.Now please to compare with the account-book in your hand the summary of the investments that I have just entered in the register.I will assure myself, at the same time, that the bonds and vouchers are properly arranged in this casket, that, on the opening of the will, they may be delivered in order to the notary."

"Begin, my dear, and I will check you," said Bathsheba.

Samuel read as follows, examining as he went on, the contents of his casket:

Statement of the account of the heirs of M.DE RENNEPONT, delivered by DAVID SAMUELS.

DEBIT.

2,000,000 francs per annum, in the French 5 P.C., bought from 1825 to 1832, at an average price of 99f.

50c............39,800,000

900,000 francs, ditto, in the French 3 P.C., bought during the same years, at an average of 74f 25c........22,275,000

5;000 shares in the Bank of France, bought at 1,900 9,500,000

3,000 shares in the Four Canals, in a certificate from the Company, bought at 1,115f.....3,345,000

125,000 ducats of Neapolitans, at an average of 82.2,050,000 ducats, at 4f.400.......9,020,000

5,000 Austrian Metallics, of 1,000 florins, at 93

--say 4,650,000 florins, at 2f.50c........11,625,000

75,000 pounds sterling per annum, English Consolidated 3 P.C., at 88 3/4--say 2,218,750, at 25f.........55,468,750

1,200,000 florins, Dutch 2 1/2 P.C., at 60-28, 860,000 florins, at 2f.

100...........60,606,000

Cash in banknotes, gold and silver........535,250

_____________

Francs 212,175,000

Paris, 12th February, 1832.

CREDIT.

150,000 francs received from M.

de Rennepont, in 1682, by Isaac Samuel my grandfather;

and invested by him, my father, and myself, in different securities, at Five per Cent.

Interest, with a settlement of account and Investment of interest every six months, producing, as by annexed vouchers, 225,950,000

Less losses sustained by failures, expenses of commission and brokerage, and salary of three generations of trustees, as per statement annexed 13,775,000

____________

212,175,000

Francs 212,175,000

"It is quite right," said Samuel, after examining the papers, contained in the cedar-wood box."There remains in hand, at the absolute disposal of the heirs of the Rennepont family, the Sum Of TWO HUNDRED AND TWELVE

MILLIONS, ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND FRANCS." And the old man looked at his wife with an expression of legitimate pride."It is hardly credible!" cried Bathsheba, struck with surprise."I knew that you had immense property in your hands; but I could never have believed, that one hundred and fifty thousand francs, left a century and a half ago, should be the only source of this immense fortune."

"It is even so, Bathsheba," answered the old man, proudly.`Doubtless, my grandfather, my father, and myself, have all been exact and faithful in the management of these funds; doubtless, we have required some sagacity in the choice of investments, in times of revolution and commercial panics; but all this was easy to us, thanks to our relations with our brethren in all countries--and never have I, or any of mine, made an usurious investment, or even taken the full advantage of the legal rate of interest.Such were the positive demands of M.de Rennepont, given to my grandfather; nor is there in the world a fortune that has been obtained by purer means.Had it not been for this disinterestedness, we might have much augmented this two hundred and twelve millions, only by taking advantage of a few favorable circumstances."

"Dear me! is it possible?"

"Nothing is more simple, Bathsheba.Every one knows, that in fourteen years a capital will be doubled, by the mere accumulation of interest and compound interest at five per cent.Now reflect, that in a century and a half there are ten times fourteen years, and that these one hundred and fifty thousands francs have thus been doubled and redoubled, over and over again.All that astonishes you will then appear plain enough.In 1682, M.de Rennepont entrusted my grandfather with a hundred and fifty thousand francs; this sum, invested as I have told you, would have produced in 1696, fourteen years after, three hundred thousand francs.