he had
divined even the details of the scheme devised by his young friend, he
added: "Besides, every one knows that a millionaire's business agent is
anything but a pleasant person to deal with. A millionaire, who is not
a fool, must always smile, and no matter how absurd the demands upon him
may be, he must always answer: 'Yes, certainly, certainly--I should be
only too happy!' But then he adds: 'You must arrange the matter with my
agent. Confer with him.' And it is the unlucky agent who must object,
declare that his employer has no money at his disposal just now, and
finally say, 'No.'"

Pascal was still disposed to insist, but the baron was obdurate. "Oh!
enough, enough!" he exclaimed. "Don't waste precious time in idle
discussion. The days are only twenty-four hours long: and as you see,
I'm very busy, so busy that I've not touched a card since the day before
yesterday. I am preparing a delightful surprise for Madame Trigault, my
daughter, and my son-in-law. It has been rather a delicate operation,
but I flatter myself that I have succeeded finely." And he laughed a
laugh that was not pleasant to hear. "You see, I've had enough of
paying several hundred thousand francs a year for the privilege of
being sneered at by my wife, scorned by my daughter, swindled by my
son-in-law, and vilified and anathematized by all three of them. I am
still willing to go on paying, but only on conditions that they give
me in return for my money, if not the reality, at least a show of love,
affection, and respect. I'm determined to have the semblance of these
things; I'm quite resolved on that. Yes, I will have myself treated with
deference. I'll be petted and coddled and made much of, or else I'll
suspend payment. It was one of my old friends, a parvenu like myself--a
man whose domestic happiness I have envied for many years--who gave me
this receipt: 'At home,' said he, 'with my wife, my daughters, and my
sons-in-law, I'm like a peer of England at an hotel. I order first-class
happiness at so much a month. If I get it I pay for it; if I don't get
it, I cut off the supplies. When I get extras I pay for them cheerfully,
without haggling. Follow my example, my old friend, and you'll have a
comfortable life.' And I shall follow his advice, M. Ferailleur, for I
am convinced that his theory is sound and practicable. I have led this
life long enough. I'll spend my last days in peace, or, as God hears me,
I'll let my family die of starvation