I love
money, don't I? But no matter, I don't want to be paid for this
business. I don't want either my board or my expenses, not a
penny--nothing. I'll serve you, but for my own sake, for my own
pleasure--gratis."
M. Fortunat could not restrain an exclamation of astonishment.
Chupin, who was as eager for gain as an old usurer--Chupin, as
grasping as avarice itself, refuse money! This was something which
he had never seen before, and which he would no doubt never see
again.
Victor had become very much excited; his usually pale cheeks were
crimson, and in a harsh voice, he continued: "It's a fancy of
mine--that's all. I have eight hundred francs hidden in my room,
the fruit of years of work. I'll spend the last penny of it if
need be; and if I can see Coralth in the mire, I shall say, 'My
money has been well expended.' I'd rather see that day dawn than
be the possessor of a hundred thousand francs. If a horrible
vision haunted you every night, and prevented you from sleeping,
wouldn't you give something to get rid of it? Very well! that
brigand's my nightmare. There must be an end to it."
M. de Coralth, who was a man of wide experience, would certainly
have felt alarmed if he had seen his unknown enemy at the present
moment, for Victor's eyes, usually a pale and undecided blue, were
glittering like steel, and his hands were clinched most
threateningly.
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