"
Kami-Bey felt that the baron would not tolerate his arrogance, and
so with more moderation he exclaimed: "It isn't strange that I've
become suspicious. I'm so victimized on every side. Because I'm
a foreigner and immensely rich, everybody fancies he has a right
to plunder me. Men, women, hotel-keepers and merchants, all unite
in defrauding me. If I buy pictures, they sell me vile daubs at
fabulous prices. They ask ridiculous amounts for horses, and then
give me worthless, worn-out animals. Everybody borrows money from
me--and I'm never repaid. I shall be ruined if this sort of thing
goes on much longer."
He had taken a seat, and the baron saw that he was not likely to
get rid of his guest very soon; so approaching Pascal he
whispered: "You had better go off, or you may miss Valorsay. And
be careful, mind; for he is exceedingly shrewd. Courage and good
luck!"
Courage! It was not necessary to recommend that to Pascal. He who
had triumphed over his despair in the terrible hours, when he had
reason to suppose that Marguerite believed him guilty and had
abandoned him, could scarcely lack courage. While he was
condemned to inaction, his mind had no doubt been assailed by
countless doubts and fears; but now that he knew whom he was to
attack--now that the decisive moment had come, he was endowed with
indomitable energy; he had turned to bronze, and he felt sure that
nothing could disconcert or even trouble him in future.
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