Edouard left the room in a passion, and shut himself into his office. Since his wife’s departure, he had not given a sou to his servants, for he had never had money enough to provide for his own expenses, and now he was compelled to retain wretches who robbed him, and turned everything upside down in his house. But he reflected that Dufresne would supply him with the means to extricate himself from embarrassment; he was about to go in search of him when Dufresne himself entered the office, with an air of desperation. “Ah! you come most opportunely,” cried Edouard; “I was anxious to see you, my dear fellow! I must have money! I must have some this very day!” “That will be rather hard,” replied Dufresne in a gloomy voice. “What! haven’t you the consols?” “I have come to tell you of a terrible calamity: the man in whose hands I had placed them, as well as the blank power of attorney----” “Well?” “He has sold them, but he has gone off with the money.” “Gone off?” “Yes, he has disappeared; it is impossible to find out anything about him.” Edouard was thunderstruck. He threw himself into a chair in despair. “I am ruined! I have lost everything!” “Ruined! what nonsense! when a man has credit and acquaintances! Come, be yourself; I give you my word that I will repair this disaster. Trust to my zeal, my friend; I made the mistake through my over-confidence; I propose to get you out of the scrape.” “But how?” “There are a thousand ways.” “Remember that I haven’t a sou, and that I need money every moment, especially with Madame de Géran, from whom I desire to conceal this disaster.” “You will be very wise, although I am convinced that she adores you.” “I have promised her a lovely cashmere shawl, which she is very anxious to have.” “You shall give it to her.--Here, sign this.” “What is it?” “Notes to my order for twenty thousand francs.” “But I don’t owe you anything.” “Of course not; and this is simply to raise money. That is called ‘flying kites.’” “Ah! is it allowable?” “Allowable! parbleu! we don’t ask permission to do it.” “But it’s rather a delicate matter to----” “Ha! ha! you make me laugh with your scruples. After all, you will pay them, so what right will anyone have to say anything?” “And you hope to discount them?” “I am very sure of it; you are thought to be rich, you have an expensive establishment, and your party did you much good. Never fear; I will bring you the money to-morrow, and all you will need is a streak of luck to win twice what you have lost to-day.” “That infernal roulette,--a long series of odd numbers!” “Oh! that was mere luck! It doesn’t happen twice. That devil of a chevalier has found an infallible martingale, he says; but it requires funds to start it.” “Perhaps we shall not have enough.” “Oh! I have resources. But sign quickly, and I will go and attend to discounting your notes.”