I could, I related what Marsac had told me
of the house and its difficulties. When I came to that part which
represented Oppovich as the mere agent of the great Parisian
banker,--whose name I was not quite sure of,--I faltered and hesitated.

"Go on," said she, gently. "He told you that Baron Nathanheimer was
about to withdraw his protection from us?"

I slightly bent my head in affirmation.

"But did he say why?"

"Something there was of rash enterprise, of speculation
unauthorized--of--"

"Of an old man with failing faculties," said she, in the same low tone;
"and of a young girl, little versed in business, but self-confident and
presumptuous enough to think herself equal to supply his place. I have
no doubt he was very frank on this head. He wrote to Baron Elias, who
sent me his letter,--the letter he wrote of us while eating our bread.
It was not handsome of him,--was it, sir?"

I can give no idea, not the faintest, of the way she said these few
words, nor of the ineffable scorn of her look, while her voice remained
calm and gentle as ever.

"No; it was not handsome."

She nodded to me to proceed, and I continued,--

"I have told you nearly everything; for of himself and his
boastfulness--"

"Oh! do not tell me of that I am in no laughing mood, and I would not
like to hear of it What did he say of the Hunyadi affair?"

"Nothing, or next to nothing. He offered me letters of introduction to
Count Hunyadi; but beyond that there was no mention of him."

She arose as I said this, and walked slowly up and down the room. I saw
she was deep in thought, and was careful not to disturb or distract
her. At last she opened a writing-desk, and took out a roll of papers
fastened by a tape.

"These," said she, "you will take with you, and carefully read over.
They are the records of a transaction that is now involving us in great
trouble, and which may prove more than trouble. M. Marsac has been
induced--how, we shall not stop to inquire--to contract for the purchase
of an extensive wood belonging to Graf Hunyadi; the price, half a
million of francs. We delayed to ratify an agreement of such moment,
until more fully assured of the value of the timber; and while we
deliberated on the choice of the person to send down to Hungary, we have
received from our correspondent at Vienna certain bills for acceptance
in payment of this purchase. You follow me, don't you?"

"Yes. As I understand it, the bargain was assumed to