"Pray, do you imagine that I can go on while you glare at me with that
angry frown puckering your forehead, as if you had someone before you who
had tried to insult you?"

A sweet smile chased the frown from the notary's brow. Encouraged by the
suspension of hostilities, Madame Rapally with sudden boldness approached
him, and, pressing one of his hands in both her own, whispered--

"It is I who am going to lend you the money."

He repulsed her gently, but with an air of great dignity, and said--

"Madame, I thank you, but I cannot accept."

"Why can't you?"

At this he began to walk round and round the room, while the widow, who
stood in the middle, turned as upon a pivot, keeping him always in view.
This circus-ring performance lasted some minutes before Quennebert stood
still and said--

"I cannot be angry with you, Madame Rapally, I know your offer was made
out of the kindness of your heart,--but I must repeat that it is
impossible for me to accept it."

"There you go again! I don't understand you at all! Why can't you
accept? What harm would it do?"

"If there were no other reason, because people might suspect that I