"A year ago my husband found himself, like so many other manufacturers, in an embarrassed position. M. Pascal offered his services to us. Charles, deceived by fair appearances, accepted. It would be too long to explain to you by what a train of affairs Charles, trusting the promises of M. Pascal, soon discovered that he was absolutely dependent on this man, who could any day recall more than a hundred thousand crowns,--that is to say, could ruin our business and plunge us in misery. At last that day has come, and M. Pascal, strong in this terrible power, places my husband and myself in the alternative of submitting to this ruin or consenting to two unworthy deeds he imposes upon us." "The wretch! The infamous wretch!" "Yesterday, when you arrived, he had just made known to us his intentions. We answered according to our hearts and our honour; he swore to revenge himself on us and to-day he has kept his word. We are lost, I tell you; he claims, too, that by reason of some authority, he will put Charles in prison temporarily. My idea, above everything else, is to save my husband from prison, but he refuses to escape, saying it is only a decoy, that he has nothing to fear, and that he--" Madeleine, who had remained silent and thoughtful for some time, again interrupted her friend, and said to her: "What would be necessary to free you from all fear of M. Pascal?" "To reimburse him." "And what does your husband owe him?" "More than a hundred thousand crowns, our factory as security, but once deprived of our property we would possess nothing in the world. My husband would be declared a bankrupt, and our future would be hopeless." "And is there absolutely no other way of escaping M. Pascal than by immediate repayment?" "There is one on which my husband had always relied, resting on the word of this wicked man." "And what is that way?" "To give Charles ten years to pay off the debt." "And suppose you had that assurance?" "Alas! we would be saved, but M. Pascal wishes to have his revenge, and he will never consent to give us any means of salvation." This sad conversation was interrupted by Antonine, who, beaming with joy, ran into the room, saying: "Oh, Madeleine! come! come!" "What is it, my child? Some happy news, I know it by your radiant countenance."