CHAPTER XIX

SIN GROWS BOLDER

There was a party at Cayrol's. In the drawing-rooms of the mansion in the
Rue Taitbout everything was resplendent with lights, and there was quite
a profusion of flowers. Cayrol had thought of postponing the party, but
was afraid of rousing anxieties, and like an actor who, though he has
just lost his father, must play the following day, so Cayrol gave his
party and showed a smiling face, so as to prevent harm to his business.

Matters had taken a turn for the worse during the last three days. The
bold stroke, to carry out which Herzog had gone to London so as to be
more secret, had been got wind of. The fall of the shares had not taken
place. Working with considerable sums of money, the loss on the
difference was as great as the gains would have been. The shares
belonging to the European Credit Company had defrayed the cost of the
game. It was a disaster. Cayrol, in his anxiety, had applied for the
scrip and had only found the receipt given to the cashier. Although the
transaction was most irregular, Cayrol had not said anything; but,
utterly cast down, had gone to Madame Desvarennes to tell her of the
fact.

The Prince was in bed, pretending to be ill. His wife, happily ignorant
of all that was going on, rejoiced secretly at his indisposition because
she was allowed to nurse him and have him all to herself. Panine, alarmed
at the check they had experienced, was expecting Herzog with feverish
impatience, and to keep out of sight had chosen the privacy of his own