A gentleman is not so exacting
generally. It is true, however, that I have a foreigner to deal
with--one of those half-civilized nabobs who come here every year
to astonish the Parisians with their wealth and display, and who,
by their idiotic prodigality, have so increased the price of
everything that life has become well-nigh an impossibility to such
of us as don't care to squander an entire fortune in a couple of
years. These folks are the curse of Paris, for, with but few
exceptions, they only use their millions to enrich notorious
women, scoundrels, hotel-keepers, and jockeys."
Pascal at once thought of the foreigner, Kami-Bey, whom he had met
at Baron Trigault's half an hour before, and who had complained so
bitterly of having had worthless scrubs palmed off upon him when
he fancied he had purchased valuable animals. "Kami-Bey must be
this exacting purchaser," thought Pascal, "and it's probable that
the marquis, desperately straitened as he is, has committed one of
those frauds which lead their perpetrator to prison?" The surmise
was by no means far-fetched, for in sporting matters, at least,
there was cause to suspect Valorsay of great elasticity of
conscience. Had he not already been accused of defrauding
Domingo's champions by a conspiracy?
At last the marquis heaved a sigh of relief. "I've finished," he
muttered, as he tied up the bundle of papers he had laid aside,
and after ringing the bell, he said to the servant who answered
the summons: "Here, take this package to Prince Kami at the Grand
Hotel.
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