--Yes, the spine.--At least, unless a miracle happens he must get worse. He is very low, I assure you, and you should go and see him. --You go very often yourself? --I? Yes, every day.--He is very anxious about Cocles; I bring him news every day. --Why doesn’t Cocles go to see him himself? --Cocles?--He is too busy. Don’t you remember your lecture? It has made an extraordinary effect upon him. He talks of nothing but self-devotion, and passes all his time looking in the streets for another blow, which may benefit some unknown Damocles. In vain he offers his other cheek. --Why not tell the Miglionaire? --I give him news every day. That is really the reason why I visit Damocles every day. --Why does he not go and see Damocles himself? --That is what I tell him, but he refuses. He does not wish to be known. And yet Damocles would certainly get well immediately if he knew his benefactor. I tell him all this, but he insists upon keeping his incognito--and I understand now that it is not Damocles but his illness which interests him. --You spoke of introducing me?... --Yes, at once, if you like. They went off immediately. II Not knowing him ourselves, we have decided not to say very much about the waiter’s friend, Zeus, but just to report these few remarks. INTERVIEW OF THE MIGLIONAIRE The waiter:--Is it not true that you are very rich? The Miglionaire, half turning towards Prometheus:--I am richer than you can ever imagine. You belong to me; he belongs to me; everything belongs to me.--You think I am a banker; I am really something quite different. My effect on Paris is hidden, but it is none the less important. It is hidden because it is not continuous. Yes, I have above all the spirit of initiative. I launch; then, once the affair is set going, I leave it; I have nothing more to do with it. The waiter:--Isn’t it true that your actions are gratuitous? The Miglionaire:--It is only I, only a person whose fortune is infinite, who can act with absolute disinterestedness; for man it is impossible. From that comes my love of gambling; I do not gamble for gain, you understand--I gamble for the pleasure of gambling. What could I gain that I do not possess already? Even time.... Do you know my age? Prometheus and the waiter:--You appear still young, sir. The Miglionaire:--Well, do not interrupt me, Prometheus.--Yes, I have a passion for gambling. My game is to lend to men. I lend, but it is not for pleasure. I lend, but it is sinking the capital. I lend, but with an air of giving.--I do not wish it known that I lend. I play, but I hide my game. I experiment; I play, as a Dutchman sows his seed; as he plants a secret bulb; that which I lend to men, that which I plant in man, I amuse myself by watching it grow; without that, man would be so empty!--Let me tell you my most recent experience. You will help me to analyse it. Just listen, you will understand later.