yful; playfulness is a part of my amiable character. Playfully, I
become as one slain and hidden. For, it may alone be worth half the sum
to madame, to be freed from the suspicions that my droll idea awakens.
Accident and spies intermix themselves against my playfulness, and spoil
the fruit, perhaps--who knows? only you and Flintwinch--when it is just
ripe. Thus, madame, I am here for the last time. Listen! Definitely the
last.'

As he struck his straggling boot-heels against the flap of the table,
meeting her frown with an insolent gaze, he began to change his tone for
a fierce one.

'Bah! Stop an instant! Let us advance by steps. Here is my Hotel-note to
be paid, according to contract. Five minutes hence we may be at daggers'
points. I'll not leave it till then, or you'll cheat me. Pay it! Count
me the money!'

'Take it from his hand and pay it, Flintwinch,' said Mrs Clennam.

He spirted it into Mr Flintwinch's face when the old man advanced to
take it, and held forth his hand, repeating noisily, 'Pay it! Count it
out! Good money!' Jeremiah picked the bill up, looked at the total with
a bloodshot eye, took a small canvas bag from his pocket, and told the
amount into his hand.

Rigaud chinked the money, weighed it in his hand, threw it up a little
way and caught it, chinked it again.

'The sound of it, to the bold Rigaud Blandois, is like the taste of
fresh meat to the tiger. Say, then, madame. How much?'

He turned upon her suddenly with a menacing gesture of the weighted hand
that clenched the money, as if he were going to strike her with it.

'I tell you again, as I told you before, that we are not rich here, as
you suppose us to be, and that your demand is excessive. I have not the
present means of complying with such a demand, if I had ever so great an
inclination.'

'If!' cried Rigaud. 'Hear this lady with her If! Will you say that you
have not the inclination?'

'I will say what presents itself to me, and not what presents itself to
you.'

'Say it then. As to the inclination. Quick! Come to the inclination, and
I know what to do.'

She was no quicker, and no slower, in her reply. 'It would seem that
you have obtained possession of a paper--or of papers--which I assuredly
have the inclination to recover.'

Rigaud, with a loud laugh, drummed his heels against the table, and
chinked his money. 'I think so! I believe you there!'

'The paper might be worth, to me, a sum of money. I cannot say how mu