"Then you think your money is no longer safe with me?" "Not so; but I prefer to have it in my hands." "Wait a minute." Ferrand shut the drawer of his bureau, and rose. "Where are you going to, my dear banker?" "To look for something to convince you of the truth of the rumors concerning me," said the notary, ironically. And opening a little private staircase which led to the pavilion, without going through the office, he disappeared. Hardly had he gone when the clerk knocked at the door. "Come in," said Charles Robert. "Is not M. Ferrand here?" "No, my worthy blue-baggist." "A veiled lady wishes to speak to master instantly, on very pressing business." "Worthy fellow, your master will return directly; I will tell him. Is she pretty?" "One must be a wizard to find this out; she wears a black veil, so thick that her face cannot be seen." "Good, good! I'll take a look at her when I go out." The clerk left the room. "Where the devil is he gone to?" said Charles to himself. "If these reports are absurd, so much the better. Never mind, I prefer to have my money. I will buy the chateau they have spoken to me of, with Gothic towers of the time of Louis XIV.; that will give me a noble appearance. It will not be like my affair with this prude of a Madame d'Harville--fine game! Oh, no; I have not made my expenses, as the stupid old portress in the Rue du Temple said, with her fantastic periwig. This pleasantry has cost meat least a thousand crowns. It is true, the furniture remains; and I can compromise the marquise. But here is the scrivener." Ferrand returned, holding in his hand some papers, which he gave to Robert. "Here," said he to him, "are three hundred and fifty thousand francs in Treasury notes. In a few days we will regulate the interest. Write me a receipt." "Eh!" cried Charles, stupefied. "Oh! now don't think, at least, that I--" "I think nothing." "But--" "This receipt!" "Dear sir." "Write; and tell the people who speak to you of my embarrassments how I answer such suspicions." "The fact is, as soon as this is known, your credit will only be the more solid. But, really, take the money; I cannot use it now; I said in three months." "M. Charles Robert, no one shall suspect me twice." "You are angry?" "The receipt." "Oh, obstinacy!" said Charles Robert; then he added, writing the receipt, "There is a lady closely veiled, who wishes to speak to you on some very pressing business. I shall take a good look at her when I pass. Here is your receipt; is it right?" "Very well; now go away by the little staircase." "But the lady?" "It is just to prevent your seeing her." The notary rang for the clerk, saying to him, "Show the lady in. Adieu, M. Robert." "Well, I must renounce seeing her. No ill-feeling, eh! scrivener?" "Believe as much." "Well, well! adieu." The notary shut the door on Charles Robert.