“Quite so, but the only part which I desire to play with them is that of lover, and a fatherly style would not have been suitable to the part. If I had the happiness of being their father, the case would be altered. What I have said to your daughters is what I feel, and what I think most likely to bring about the end I have in view. I have not the slightest pretence to virtue, but I adore the fair sex, and now you and they know the road to my purse. If they wish to preserve their virtue, why let them; nobody will trouble them, and they, on their side, must not expect anything from men. Good-bye, madam; you may reckon on my never addressing your daughters again.” “Wait a moment, sir. My husband was the Count of----, and you see that my daughters are of respectable birth.” “Have you not pity for our situation?” “I pity you extremely, and I would relieve you in an instant if your daughters were ugly, but as it is they are pretty, and that alters the case.” “What an argument!” “It is a very strong one with me, and I think I am the best judge of arguments which apply to myself. You want twenty guineas; well, you shall have them after one of your five countesses has spent a joyous night with me.” “What language to a woman of my station! Nobody has ever dared to speak to me in such a way before.” “Pardon me, but what use is rank without a halfpenny? Allow me to retire. “To-day we have only bread to eat.” “Well, certainly that is rather hard on countesses.” “You are laughing at the title, apparently.” “Yes, I am; but I don’t want to offend you. If you like, I will stop to dinner, and pay for all, yourself included.” “You are an eccentric individual. My girls are sad, for I am going to prison. You will find their company wearisome.” “That is my affair.” “You had much better give them the money you would spend on the dinner.” “No, madam. I must have at least the pleasures of sight and sound for my money. I will stay your arrest till to-morrow, and afterwards Providence may possibly intervene on your behalf.” “The landlord will not wait.” “Leave me to deal with him.” I told Goudar to go and see what the man would take to send the bailiff away for twenty-four hours. He returned with the message that he must have a guinea and bail for the twenty guineas, in case the lodgers might take to flight before the next day. My wine merchant lived close by. I told Goudar to wait for me, and the matter was soon settled and the bailiff sent away, and I told the five girls that they might take their ease for twenty-four hours more. I informed Goudar of the steps I had taken, and told him to go out and get a good dinner for eight people. He went on his errand, and I summoned the girls to their mother’s bedside, and delighted them all by telling them that for the next twenty-four hours they were to make good cheer. They could not get over their surprise at the suddenness of the change I had worked in the house.