"Why, Sophie, you are very unreasonable to give yourself so much concern, because, in consequence of this misunderstanding with M. Pascal, your husband cannot render me the good office I expected from him." Madame Dutertre, willing to leave her friend in this error, tried to regain her calmness, and said to her: "Indeed, it disappoints me very much to think that Charles will not be able to do you the first service that you ask of us." "Stop, Sophie, you will make me regret having appealed so cordially to you." "Madeleine--" "Really, it is not such a great pity! And, besides, to prevent my being deceived, I will address myself directly to this M. Pascal, but I will demand my accounts every week. Your husband can examine them, and, if they are not correct, I will know perfectly well how to complain of them to monsieur, my banker, and to take another." "You are right, Madeleine," said Sophie, recovering by degrees her self-possession, "and the supervision of my husband will, in fact, be more necessary than you think." "So this M. Pascal is a sordid fellow?" "Madeleine," said Madame Dutertre, unable longer to conquer her emotion, "I beseech you, and let me speak to you as a friend, as a sister, whatever may be the reason, whatever may be the pretext, place no dependence in M. Pascal!" "What do you mean, Sophie?" "In a word, if he offers you his services, refuse them." "His services? But I have no service to ask of him. I have a letter of credit on him. I will go and draw money from his bank when I have need of it--that is all." "That may be, but you might, through mistake or ignorance of business, exceed your credit, and then--" "Well, what then?" "I know from a person who has told Charles and myself that, once M. Pascal has you in his debt, he will abuse his power cruelly, oh, so cruelly." "Come, my good Sophie, I see that you take me for a giddy prodigal. Reassure yourself, and admire my economy. I have so much order that I lay by every year something from my income, and although these savings are small I place them at your disposal." "Dear, tender friend, I thank you a thousand times! I repeat, the crisis which gives my husband and myself so much concern will soon end; but let me tell you again, do not trust M. Pascal. When you have seen Antonine, I will tell you more." "Antonine again! You just spoke of her in connection with the Élysée." "Yes, it all hangs together; you will see it yourself after to-morrow. I will explain myself entirely, which will be important to Antonine." "After to-morrow, then, my dear Sophie. I must confess you excite my curiosity very much, and I try in vain to discover what there can be in common between Antonine and the Élysée, or between Antonine and that wicked man, for so at least he appears who is named M. Pascal." Half-past three sounded from the factory clock.