midday
Moreover , the sooner the matter was decided , the sooner he should get rid of his guests . Now that the struggle between the interlopers and the heirs , hitherto existing only in his wife 's mind , had become an actual fact , Monsieur Hochon 's keen intelligence , lulled to sleep by the monotony of provincial life , was fully roused . Madame Hochon had been agreeably surprised that morning to perceive , from a few affectionate words which the old man had said to her about Agathe , that so able and subtle an auxiliary was on the Bridau side . Towards midday the brains of Monsieur and Madame Hochon , of Agathe , and Joseph -LRB- the latter much amazed at the scrupulous care of the old people in the choice of words -RRB- , were delivered of the following answer , concocted solely for the benefit of Max and Flore : -- My dear Brother , -- If I have stayed away from Issoudun , and kept up no intercourse with any one , not even with you , the fault lies not merely with the strange and false ideas my father conceived about me , but with the joys and sorrows of my life in Paris ; for if God made me a happy wife , he has also deeply afflicted me as a mother . You are aware that my son , your nephew Philippe , lies under accusation of a capital offence in consequence of his devotion to the Emperor . Therefore you can hardly be surprised if a widow , compelled to take a humble situation in a lottery-office for a living , should come to seek consolation from those among whom she was born . The profession adopted by the son who accompanies me is one that requires great talent , many sacrifices , and prolonged studies before any results can be obtained .