"I will profit by this opportunity to eat something,"
he thought; a sudden faintness reminding him that he had taken
nothing but a cup of chocolate that day. Thereupon perceiving a
cafe near by, he entered it, ordered breakfast, and lingered there
until it was time to return to the Marquis de Valorsay's. He
would have gone there before the appointed time if he had merely
listened to the promptings of his impatience, so thoroughly was he
persuaded that this second interview would be decisive. But
prudence advised him not to expose himself to the danger of an
encounter with Madame Leon and Dr. Jodon.
"Well! Monsieur Maumejan," cried the marquis, as soon as Pascal
made his appearance. He had been counting the seconds with
intense anxiety, as his tone of voice unmistakably revealed.
In reply Pascal gravely drew from his pocket twenty-four bank-
notes, of a thousand francs each, and he placed them upon the
table, saying: "Here is the amount, Monsieur le Marquis. I have,
of course, deducted my commission. Now, if you will write and
sign a note for twenty-five thousand francs, payable to my order
two months hence, our business for to-day will be concluded."
M. de Valorsay's hand trembled nervously as he penned the desired
note, for, until the very last moment, he had doubted the promises
of this unknown agent who had made his appearance so opportunely
Then, when the document was signed, he carelessly slipped the
money into a drawer and exclaimed: "So here's the needful to pay
my debt of honor; but my embarrassment is none the less great.
Pages:
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337