end, let me tell you, you
are an ass! Ruined! It's a misfortune, but when a man is of your
age he rebuilds his fortune. Besides, you aren't as ruined as you
say, because I've got an income of a hundred thousand francs."

"A hundred thousand francs--"

"Well, my fortune is in land, which brings in about four per cent."

Tremorel knew that his friend was rich, but not that he was as rich
as this. He answered with a tinge of envy in his tone:

"Well, I had more than that; but I had no breakfast this morning."

"And you did not tell me! But true, you are in a pitiable state;
come along, quick!"

And he led him toward the restaurant.

Tremorel reluctantly followed this friend, who had just saved his
life. He was conscious of having been surprised in a distressingly
ridiculous situation. If a man who is resolved to blow his brains
out is accosted, he presses the trigger, he doesn't conceal his
pistol. There was one alone, among all his friends, who loved him
enough not to see the ludicrousness of his position; one alone
generous enough not to torture him with raillery; it was Sauvresy.

But once seated before a well-filled table, Hector could not
preserve his rigidity. He felt the joyous expansion of spirit
which follows assured safety after terrible peril. He was himself,
young again, once more strong. He told Sauvresy everything; his
vain boasting, his terror at the last moment, his agony at the
hotel, his fury, remorse, and anguish at the pawnbroker's.

"Ah!" said he. "You have saved me! You are my friend, my only
friend, my brother."

They talked for more than two hours.

"Come," said Sauvresy at last, "let us arrange our plans. You want
to disappear awhile; I see that. But to-night you must write four
lines to the papers. To-morrow I propose to take your affairs in
hand, that's a thing I know how to do. I don't know exactly how
you stand; but I will agree to save something from the wreck. We've
got money, you see; your creditors will be easy with us."

"But where shall I go?" asked Hector, whom the mere idea of
isolation terrified.

"What? You'll come home with me, parbleu, to Valfeuillu. Don't
you know that I am married? Ah, my friend, a happier man than I
does not exist! I've married--for love--the loveliest and best
of women. You will be a brother to us. But come, my carriage is
right here near the door."

XIV

M. Plantat stopped. His companions had not suffered