This time it was Seguin himself who asked Mathieu to purchase a fresh
part of the estate, pressing him even to take all that was left of it,
woods and moorland--extending over some five hundred acres. Nowadays
Seguin was often in need of money, and in order to do business he offered
Mathieu lower terms and all sorts of advantages; but the other prudently
declined the proposals, keeping steadfastly to his original intentions,
which were that he would proceed with his work of creation step by step,
in accordance with his exact means and requirements. Moreover, a certain
difficulty arose with regard to the purchase of the remaining moors, for
enclosed by this land, eastward, near the railway line, were a few acres
belonging to Lepailleur, the miller, who had never done anything with
them. And so Mathieu preferred to select what remained of the marshy
plateau, adding, however, that he would enter into negotiations
respecting the moorland later on, when the miller should have consented
to sell his enclosure. He knew that, ever since his property had been
increasing, Lepailleur had regarded him with the greatest jealousy and
hatred, and he did not think it advisable to apply to him personally,
certain as he felt that he would fail in his endeavor.
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