“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.”