prey.

"Let me suggest," he said roundly, lifting his head and poising a
hand to hold attention, while he thought upon what it was he should
suggest--"this is what I would say. It seems rather irregular, doesn't
it? to debate the matter in the presence of an outsider. You see it
yourself. That is partly what I meant. Now I have met Mr. Fromentin," he
gave the name its English vowels with an obstinate emphasis, "and I have
heard his statement. You have heard it too. If he wishes to lay more
facts before us, why, well and good. But then I would suggest that
he leave the matter in our hands, to discuss and look into between
ourselves. That seems to you the proper course, doesn't it, Lord
Chaldon?"

The French banker had been studying with strained acuteness the big
lymphatic mask of the Director, with sundry sharp glances aside at the
Chairman. The nervous changes on his alert, meagre old face showed
how intently he followed every phase of their talk. A certain sardonic
perception of evil in the air curled on his lip when he saw the Marquis
accede with a bow and wave of the hand to Thorpe's proposition. Then he
made his bow in turn, and put the best face possible upon the matter.

"Naturally I consult your convenience--and the proprieties," he said,
with an effect of proud humility. "There are but a few other facts to
submit. My nephew has already paid, in differences upon those accursed
two thousand shares, a sum of nearly 30,000 pounds. I have the figures
in my pocket--but they are fixed in my head as well. Twenty-eight
thousand five hundred, those differences already amount to, not to speak
of interest. At the last settlement, August 1st, the price per share was
15 pounds. That would make 30,000 pounds more, if we bought now--or a
total of practically 60,000 pounds. Eh bien! I beg for the privilege of
being allowed to buy these shares now. It is an unpleasant confession
to make, but the firm of Fromentin Freres will be made very poor by this
loss of 60,000 pounds. It was not always so, but it is so now. My nephew
Robert has brought it into that condition. You see my shame at this
admission. With all my own means, and with his sister's marriage
portion, we can make up this sum of 30,000 pounds, and still enable
the firm to remain in existence. I have gone over the books very
painstakingly, since I arrived in London. It can be kept afloat, and
it can be brought back to safe and moderately profitable courses--if
nothin