y
of making proposals for another, and he never would. I must, however, do
him the justice to add that he assured me if ever he had regretted the
repugnance he felt to such a step it was on this occasion, because he
thought the projected union would be a happy and suitable one. Besides,
if he will do nothing officially, he will answer any questions you
propose to him. And now," continued he, with one of his most charming
smiles, "having finished talking to the father-in-law, I must address
myself to the banker."

"And what may you have to say to him?" said Danglars, laughing in his
turn.

"That the day after to-morrow I shall have to draw upon you for about
four thousand francs; but the count, expecting my bachelor's revenue
could not suffice for the coming month's outlay, has offered me a draft
for twenty thousand francs. It bears his signature, as you see, which is
all-sufficient."

"Bring me a million such as that," said Danglars, "I shall be well
pleased," putting the draft in his pocket. "Fix your own hour for
to-morrow, and my cashier shall call on you with a check for eighty
thousand francs."

"At ten o'clock then, if you please; I should like it early, as I am
going into the country to-morrow."

"Very well, at ten o'clock; you are still at the Hotel des Princes?"

"Yes."

The following morning, with the banker's usual punctuality, the eighty
thousand francs were placed in the young man's hands as he was on the
point of starting, after having left two hundred francs for Caderousse.
He went out chiefly to avoid this dangerous enemy, and returned as
late as possible in the evening. But scarcely had he stepped out of his
carriage when the porter met him with a parcel in his hand. "Sir," said
he, "that man has been here."

"What man?" said Andrea carelessly, apparently forgetting him whom he
but too well recollected.

"Him to whom your excellency pays that little annuity."

"Oh," said Andrea, "my father's old servant. Well, you gave him the two
hundred francs I had left for him?"

"Yes, your excellency." Andrea had expressed a wish to be thus
addressed. "But," continued the porter, "he would not take them." Andrea
turned pale, but as it was dark his pallor was not perceptible. "What?
he would not take them?" said he with slight emotion.

"No, he wished to speak to your excellency; I told him you were gone
out, and after some dispute he believed me and gave me this letter,
which he had brought with hi