Volume II Part 30 (1/2)
Everything can be managed with money. How much is necessary to terminate these miserable, shuffling tricks?”
Jacques Ferrand was completely astounded with this cavalier and deliberate manner of opening the business.
”They ask a hundred thousand francs,” answered he, as soon as he had recovered from his astonishment.
”You shall have your hundred thousand francs; and you will send at once the bad papers to M. de Saint Remy.”
”Where are the hundred thousand francs, your grace?”
”Did I not tell you that you should have them, sir?”
”They must be had to-morrow, before noon, madame; otherwise a complaint of forgery will be made.”
”Well, give this amount; I will be accountable for it; as for you I will pay you well.”
”But, madame, it is impossible.”
”You will not tell me, I hope, that a notary like you cannot procure a hundred thousand francs any day?”
”On what security, madame?”
”What does that mean? Explain yourself.”
”Who is to be answerable for this amount?” ”I.”
”But, madame--”
”Is it necessary for me to tell you that I have property yielding eighty thousand livres rent, at four leagues from Paris? That will suffice, I believe, for that which you call guarantee?”
”Yes, madame, by means of a mortgage.”
”What does that mean again? Some formality, doubtless. Make it, sir, make it.”
”Such a deed cannot be drawn up under two weeks, and it needs the consent of your husband, madame.”
”But this is my property, mine--mine alone,” said the d.u.c.h.ess, impatiently.
”No matter, madame; you are in the power of your husband, and a deed of mortgage is very long and very minute.”
”But once more, sir, you cannot make me believe that it so difficult to procure one hundred thousand francs in two hours.”
”Then, madame, apply to your own notary, to your steward; with me, it is impossible.”
”I have reasons, sir, to keep this a secret,” said Madame de Lucenay, heartily. ”You know the rogues who wish to rob M. de Saint Remy; it is on this account I address myself to you.”
”Your confidence infinitely honors me, madame; but I cannot do what you ask.”
”You have not this amount?”
”I have much more than this sum in bank bills, or in gold--here--here, in my safe.”