He pays me, and we are each of us perfectly
independent of the other."
From the look which Valorsay gave Pascal, one would have sworn
that he suspected who his visitor really was. But such was not
the case. It was simply this: a strange, but by no means
impossible, idea had flashed through the marquis's mind--"Oh!"
thought he, "this unknown party with whom Maumejan offers to
negotiate the loan, is probably none other than the baron himself.
That worthy gambler has invented this ingenious method of obliging
me so as to extort a rate of interest which he would not dare to
demand openly. And why not? There have been plenty of such
instances. Isn't it a well-known fact that the N---- Brothers,
the most rigidly honest financiers in the world, have never under
any circumstances directly obliged one of their friends? If their
own father, of whom they always speak with the greatest
veneration, asked them to lend him fifty francs for a month, they
would say to him as they do to every one else: 'We are rather
cramped just now; but see that rascal B----.' And that rascal B----,
who is the most pliable tool in existence, will, providing
father N---- offers unquestionable security, lend the old
gentleman his son's money at from twelve to fifteen per cent.
interest, plus a small commission."
These ideas and recollections were of considerable assistance in
restoring Valorsay's composure.
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