"I have no need of your good services. This usurer, who was a total stranger to me, wrote to me requesting an interview; and he offers to lend me more money in one year than I have spent in all my life." "He offers you that! Why, the rascal never advances a sou without the best securities. People of his stamp consider neither honor, probity, nor industry; and I was not aware that you had expectations." "You are mistaken, Florestan; my father is worth over two millions." "Your father!" exclaimed Saint-Herem in amazement. "Your father rich!" "This usurer discovered his secret; how, I cannot say." "And so he offered his services. Well, you may be sure his information is correct, for he advances nothing on doubtful security." "I believe it," rejoined Louis sadly. "My dear Louis, one might think you had made some unfortunate discovery. What is it? Are you unhappy?--and why, pray?" "Ah! my friend, don't scoff at me. I love, and have been deceived." "You have a rival?" "And that rival is this wretch!" "Porquin?--nonsense; what makes you imagine such an absurdity?" "I had some suspicions, and then he assured me he had been accepted." "A fine authority, upon my word! He lies, I am sure of it." "He is rich, Florestan; and the woman I loved and still love in spite of myself, is poor. She has endured the most cruel misery for years." "The devil!" "Besides this, she is the only support of a crippled old woman. This man's offers dazzled the poor child; and like so many others, she succumbed through misery. What good is a fortune now, when my only desire was to share it with Mariette?" "My dear Louis, I know you too well to believe you could have loved a woman unworthy of your affections." "For a whole year Mariette gave me abundant proofs of a sincere affection; then yesterday, without warning, a letter came announcing the sudden rupture--" "A woman who loved a poor man like you for a whole year, does not yield to an old rascal like Porquin in one day. I tell you he lies!" And to Louis' great astonishment, Saint-Herem called aloud, "Hi, there! de la Miraudière!" "Florestan! what are you doing?" remonstrated Louis, as the usurer appeared. "Monsieur de La Miraudière," observed Saint-Herem, with his habitual supercilious air, "there seems to exist some slight confusion in your mind in regard to a respectable young girl, who, according to you, has been seduced by your wit, your personal charms and excellent manners, still more enchanced by that gold which you so honorably grasp. Now, my worthy commander, will you do me the pleasure to speak the truth? If not, I shall know how to deal with you." "I deeply regret having jested on a subject which seems to annoy M. Richard," responded Porquin, deeming it better policy to sacrifice a fancy which stood little chance of being gratified, than to run the risk of losing so promising a client as Louis.