"Would you like me
to fight a duel then? After twenty years has the idea of ridding
yourself of me occurred to you again? I can scarcely believe it.
You know too well that you would receive none of my money, that I
have guarded against that. Besides, you would be inconsolable if
the newspapers ceased talking about you for a single day. Respect
yourself, and you will be respected. The publicity you complain
of is the last anchor which prevents society from drifting one
knows not where. Those who would not listen to the warning voice
of honor and conscience are restrained by the fear of a little
paragraph which might disclose their shame. Now that a woman no
longer has a conscience, the newspapers act in place of it. And I
think it quite right, for it is our only hope of salvation."
By the stir in the adjoining room, Pascal felt sure that the
baroness had stationed herself before the door to prevent her
husband from leaving her. "Ah! well, monsieur," she exclaimed, "I
declare to you that I must have Van Klopen's twenty-eight thousand
francs before this evening. I will have them, too; I am resolved
to have them, and you will give them to me."
"Oh!" thundered the baron, "you WILL have them--you will----" He
paused, and then, after a moment's reflection, he said: "Very
well. So be it! I will give you this amount, but not just now.
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