"Listen to me well. You are basely avaricious; your magnificent offer proves, then, the impression I have made on you." "If this offer is not enough," cried Pascal, clasping his hands, "speak, and--" "Be silent, I have no need of your money." "My fortune, if necessary." "Look at me well, M. Pascal, and if you have ever dared look an honest woman in the face, and know how to read truth on her brow, you will see that I speak the truth. You might put all your fortune there at my feet, and the disdain and disgust you excite in me would be the same." "Crush me, but let me tell you--" "Be silent! It has suited me to let you believe a moment that I was the mistress of the prince; first, because I do not care for the esteem of a man of your character, and then, because that would encourage you in your insulting offers." "But then, why have--" "Be silent! I had need to know the degree of influence I possessed over you. I know, and I am going to use it." "Oh, I ask nothing better, if you wish--" "I have come here for two reasons; the first, to receive this letter of credit--" "Instantly, but--" "I have come for another reason,--to put an end to the infamous abuse you have made of an apparent service, a pretended generosity rendered to the husband of my best friend, M. Charles Dutertre." "You are acquainted with the Dutertres! ah, I see the trap." "All means are fair to catch malicious creatures; you are caught." "Oh, not yet," replied Pascal, gnashing his teeth with rage and despair, for the imperious beauty of Madeleine, increased by her glowing animation, excited his passion to frenzy; "perhaps you triumph too soon, madame." "You will see." "We will see," said Pascal, trying to pay off with audacity, in spite of the torture he endured, "we will see." "This instant, there on that table, you are going to sign a deed, in good form, by which you engage yourself to grant to M. Dutertre the time that you have granted by your verbal promise, to liquidate his debt to you." "But--" "As you are capable of deceiving me, and as I understand nothing of business, I have ordered a notary to draw up this deed, so that you have only to sign it." "This is a pleasantry!" "The notary has accompanied me, he is waiting in the next room." "What, have you brought a--" "One does not come alone into the house of a man like you. You are going to sign this deed instantly." "For what return?" "My disdain and contempt, as always." "Misery! that is violence!" "It is so." "You wish to take from me, gratis, my sweetest morsel,--in the very moment when, in the rage which possesses me, no reparation but revenge was left to console me a little! Ah, Madame Dutertre is your best friend! Ah, her tears will be bitter to you! Ah, the sorrows of this family will break your heart! Zounds, that is to the point, and I will have my revenge besides!" "You refuse?"