difficult for him to find the words he wanted.

"So I am about to marry," M. de Valorsay resumed--"I wish to break
off my former life, to turn over a new leaf. And now the wedding
gifts, the two fetes that I propose giving, the repairs at
Valorsay, and the honeymoon with my wife--all these things will
cost a nice little sum."

"A nice little sum, indeed!"

"Ah, well! as I'm not going to wed an heiress, I fear I shall run
a trifle short. The matter was worrying me a little, when I
thought of you. I said to myself: 'The baron, who always has
money at his disposal, will no doubt let me have the use of five
thousand louis for a year.'"

The baron's eyes were fixed upon his companion's face. "Zounds!"
he exclaimed in a half-grieved, half-petulant tone; "I haven't the
amount!"

It was not disappointment that showed itself on the marquis's
face; it was absolute despair, quickly concealed.

But the baron had detected it; and he realized his applicant's
urgent need. He felt certain that M. de Valorsay was financially
ruined--and yet, as it did not suit his plans to refuse, he
hastily added: "When I say I haven't that amount, I mean that I
haven't got it on hand just at this moment. But I shall have it
within forty-eight hours; and if you are at home at this time on
the day after to-morrow, I will send you one of my agents, who