Part 15 (1/2)
”I have no doubt of it, my poor Louis,” said Saint-Herem sympathizingly, ”for to place yourself in the clutches of such a rascal as Porquin, is to sell yourself to the devil! But tell me what has happened? You have always been good and industrious, I know, but you may have contracted some debt or committed some slight folly. What may seem enormous to you, may be only a trifle to me. I shall receive two hundred louis from this Arab to-night; you have but to say the word and they are yours. I can turn to someone else! Two hundred louis ought to cover the debts of a notary clerk---come, must you have more? Then we shall raise more; but in heaven's name don't put yourself in the toils of this scoundrel!”
This generous offer filled Louis' heart with such sweet consolation that for the moment he forgot his sorrows.
”My dear Florestan,” he said gratefully, ”you cannot imagine how this proof of friends.h.i.+p on your part comforts and consoles me.”
”You accept, then?”
”No.”
”What?”
”I have no need of your good services. This usurer, who was a total stranger to me, wrote to me requesting an interview; and he offers to lend me more money in one year than I have spent in all my life.”
”He offers you that! Why, the rascal never advances a sou without the best securities. People of his stamp consider neither honor, probity, nor industry; and I was not aware that you had expectations.”
”You are mistaken, Florestan; my father is worth over two millions.”
”Your father!” exclaimed Saint-Herem in amazement. ”Your father rich!”
”This usurer discovered his secret; how, I cannot say.”
”And so he offered his services. Well, you may be sure his information is correct, for he advances nothing on doubtful security.”
”I believe it,” rejoined Louis sadly.
”My dear Louis, one might think you had made some unfortunate discovery. What is it? Are you unhappy?--and why, pray?”
”Ah! my friend, don't scoff at me. I love, and have been deceived.”
”You have a rival?”
”And that rival is this wretch!”
”Porquin?--nonsense; what makes you imagine such an absurdity?”
”I had some suspicions, and then he a.s.sured me he had been accepted.”
”A fine authority, upon my word! He lies, I am sure of it.”
”He is rich, Florestan; and the woman I loved and still love in spite of myself, is poor. She has endured the most cruel misery for years.”
”The devil!”
”Besides this, she is the only support of a crippled old woman. This man's offers dazzled the poor child; and like so many others, she succ.u.mbed through misery. What good is a fortune now, when my only desire was to share it with Mariette?”
”My dear Louis, I know you too well to believe you could have loved a woman unworthy of your affections.”
”For a whole year Mariette gave me abundant proofs of a sincere affection; then yesterday, without warning, a letter came announcing the sudden rupture--”
”A woman who loved a poor man like you for a whole year, does not yield to an old rascal like Porquin in one day. I tell you he lies!” And to Louis' great astonishment, Saint-Herem called aloud, ”Hi, there! de la Miraudiere!”