"Wretched man! And my daughter?" cried the mistress. "Think well what you
are saying! You would disgrace me and mine."

"Am I not dishonored myself?" asked Cayrol. "Your son-in-law is a robber,
who has defiled my home and robbed my safe."

"An honest man does not seek to revenge himself after the manner you
suggest," said the mistress, gravely.

"An honest man defends himself as he can. I am not a knight. I am only a
financier. Money is my weapon. The Prince has stolen from me. I will have
him sentenced as a thief."

Madame Desvarennes frowned.

"Make out your account. I will pay it."

"Will you also pay me for my lost happiness?" cried the banker,
exasperated. "Should I not rather have chosen to be ruined than be
betrayed as I am? You can never repair the wrong he has done me. And then
I am suffering so, I must have my revenge!"

"Ah! fool that you are," replied Madame Desvarennes. "The guilty will not
feel your blows, but the innocent. When my daughter and I are in despair
will you be less unhappy! Oh! Cayrol, take heed that you lose not in
dignity what you gain in revenge. The less one is respected by others the
more one must respect one's self. Contempt and silence elevate the
victim, while rage and hatred make him descend to the level of those who
have outraged him."