IV.


As a millionaire and a gambler, Baron Trigault enjoyed all sorts
of privileges. He assumed the right to be brutal, ill-bred,
cynical and bold; to be one of those persons who declare that
folks must take them as they find them. But his rudeness now was
so thoroughly offensive that under any other circumstances the
marquis would have resented it. However, he had special reasons
for preserving his temper, so he decided to laugh.

"Yes, these stories always end in the same way, baron," said he.
"You haven't touched a card this morning, and I know your hands
are itching. Excuse me for making you waste precious time, as you
say; but what you have just heard was only a necessary preface."

"Only a preface?"

"Yes; but don't be discouraged. I have arrived at the object of
my visit now."

As Baron Trigault was supposed to enjoy an income of at least
eight hundred thousand francs a year, he received in the course of
a twelvemonth at least a million applications for money or help,
and for this reason he had not an equal for detecting a coming
appeal. "Good heavens!" he thought, "Valorsay is going to ask me
for money." In fact, he felt certain that the marquis's pretended
carelessness concealed real embarrassment, and that it was