Vauvinet winked an eye at Bixiou; the wink that two jockeys give each
other when they want to say: "Don't try trickery."

"Don't you remember catching me round the waist as if I were a pretty
woman," said Bixiou, "and coaxing me with look and speech, and saying,
'I'll do anything for you if you'll only get me shares at par in that
railroad du Tillet and Nucingen have made an offer for?' Well, old
fellow, du Tillet and Nucingen are coming to Carabine's to-night,
where they will meet a number of political characters. You've lost a
fine opportunity. Good-bye to you, old carrot."

Bixiou rose, leaving Vauvinet apparently indifferent, but inwardly
annoyed by the sense that he had committed a folly.

"One moment, my dear fellow," said the money-lender. "Though I haven't
the money, I have credit. If your notes are worth nothing, I can keep
them and give you notes in exchange. If we can come to an agreement
about that railway stock we could share the profits, of course in due
proportion and I'll allow you that on--"

"No, no," said Bixiou, "I want money in hand, and I must get those
notes of Ravenouillet's cashed."

"Ravenouillet is sound," said Vauvinet. "He puts money into the
savings-bank; he is good security."

"Better than you," interposed Leon, "for HE doesn't stipend lorettes;
he hasn't any rent to pay; and he never rushes into speculations which
keep him dreading either a rise or fall."