of that can be given of his
coolness is that he was carefully studying M. Fortunat's face, and
trying to discover the agent's real intentions under his meaningless
words. He had expected to find "his dear extortioner" exasperated by his
loss, cursing and swearing, and demanding his money--but not at all.
He found him more gentle and calm, colder and more reserved than
ever; brimful of resignation indeed, and preaching submission to the
inevitable. "What can this mean?" he thought, with an anxious heart.
"What mischief is the scoundrel plotting now? I'd wager a thousand to
one that he's forging some thunderbolt to crush me." And, in a haughty
tone, he said aloud:

"In a word, you desert me."

With a deprecatory gesture, M. Fortunat exclaimed: "I desert you,
Monsieur le Marquis! What have I done that you should think so ill
of me? Alas! circumstances are the only traitors. I shouldn't like to
deprive you of the courage you so much need, but, honestly, it would be
folly to struggle against destiny. How can you hope to succeed in your
plans? Have you not resorted to every possible expedient to prolong your
apparently brilliant existence until the present time? Are you not at
such a point that you must marry Mademoiselle Marguerite in a month's
time, or perish? And now the count's millions are lost! If I might
be allowed to give you some advice, I should say, 'The shipwreck is
inevitable; think only of saving yourself.' By tact and shrewdness, you
might yet save something from your creditors. Compromise with them. And
if you need my services, here I am. Go to Nice, and give me a power
of attorney to act for you. From the debris of your fortune, I will
undertake to guarantee you a competence which would satisfy many an
ambitious man."

The marquis laughed sneeringly. "Excellent!" he exclaimed. "You would
rid yourself of me and recover your forty thousand francs at the same
time. A very clever arrangement."

M. Fortunat realized that his client understood him; but what did it
matter? "I assure you----" he began.

But the marquis silenced him with a contemptuous gesture. "Let us stop
this nonsense," said he. "We understand each other better than that.
I have never made any attempt to deceive you, nor have I ever supposed
that I had succeeded in doing so, and pray do me the honor to consider
me as shrewd as yourself." And still refusing to listen to the agent, he
continued: "If I have come to you, it is only because the ca