It was easy to divine the
conflict that was raging in his mind, between the hope that the
news was true and the fear of being made the victim of a practical
joke. "Come, my friend," he said at last, "do you want to poke
fun at me? That wouldn't be polite. A debtor is always sacred,
and I owe you twenty-five louis. This is scarcely the time to
talk of millions. My relatives have cut off my supplies; and my
creditors are overwhelming me with their bills----"
But M. de Coralth checked him, saying gravely: "Upon my honor, I
am not jesting. What would you give a man who--"
"I would give him half of the fortune he gave me."
"That's too much!"
"No, no!"
He was in earnest, certainly. What wouldn't a man promise in all
sincerity of soul to a fellow mortal who gave him money when he
had none--when he needed it urgently and must have it to save
himself from ruin?
At such a moment no commission, however large, seems exorbitant.
It is afterward, when the day of settlement comes, that people
begin to find fault with the rate of interest.
"If I tell you that one-half is too much, it is because such is
really the case. And I am the best judge of the matter, since I
am the man who can put you in possession of this enormous
fortune."
M. Wilkie started back in speechless amazement.
"This astonishes you!" said the viscount; "and why, pray? Is it
because I ask for a commission?"
"Oh! not at all!"
"It is not perhaps a very gentlemanly proceeding, but it is a
sensible one.
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