"And you must understand,
my dear sir," he resumed, "that you can employ this sum as you
choose, in advancing your interests, which are identical with
mine. You can give the money to Valorsay at such a time and under
such conditions as will best serve your plans. Give it to him in
an hour or in a month, all at once or in fifty different
instalments, as you please. Only use it like the rope one ties
round a dog's neck before drowning him."
The keenest penetration was concealed beneath the baron's careless
good-nature. Pascal knew this, and feeling that his protector
understood him, he said: "You overpower me with kindness."
"Nonsense!"
"You offer me just what I came to ask for."
"So much the better."
"But you will allow me to explain my intentions?"
"It is quite unnecessary, my dear sir."
"Excuse me; if I follow my present plan, I shall be obliged to
ascribe certain sentiments, words, and even acts, to you, which
you might perhaps disavow, and--"
With a careless toss of the head, accompanied by a disdainful snap
of the fingers, the baron interrupted him. "Set to work, and
don't give yourself the slightest uneasiness about that. You may
do whatever you like, if you only succeed in unmasking this dear
marquis, and Coralth, his worthy acolyte. Show me up in whatever
light you choose. Who will you be in Valorsay's eyes? Why,
Maumejan, one of my business agents, and I can always throw the
blame on you.
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