And when he saw the bank-notes, when he saw the
bill paid without dispute or even examination, he was seized with
a wondering respect, and his voice became sweeter than honey.
They say the payment of a bad debt delights a merchant a thousand
times more than the settlement of fifty good ones. The truth of
this assertion became apparent in the present case. Mademoiselle
Marguerite thought the man was going to beg "Madame la Comtesse to
do him the favor to withhold a portion of the small amount." For
the Parisian tradesman is so constituted that very frequently it
is not necessary to pay him money, but only to show it.
However, this creditor's abnegation did not extend so far; still
he did entreat Madame la Comtesse not to leave him on account of a
blunder--for it was a blunder--he swore it on his children's
heads. His coachman was only a fool and a drunkard, who had
misunderstood him entirely, and whom he should ignominiously
dismiss on returning to his establishment. But "Madame la
Comtesse" was inflexible. She sent the man about his business,
saying, "I never place myself in a position to be treated with
disrespect a second time."
This probably accounted for the fact that Evariste, the footman,
who had been so wanting in respect the previous evening, had been
sent away that very morning. Mademoiselle Marguerite did not see
him again.
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