ded money. But the terms, the
conditions? Tell them to me briefly."

"He has lent me from time to time fifteen hundred francs, for which I
have signed three notes of a thousand francs each, and those notes are
secured by a sort of mortgage on the copyright of my book, so that I
cannot sell my book unless I pay off those notes, and the notes are now
protested,--he has taken the matter into court and obtained a judgment
against me. Such are the complications of poverty! At the lowest
valuation, the first edition of my great work, a work representing
ten years' toil and thirty-six years' experience, is fully worth ten
thousand francs. Well, ten days ago Morand proposed to give me three
thousand francs and my notes cancelled for the entire rights in
perpetuity. Now as it is not possible for me to refund the amount of my
notes and interest, namely, three thousand two hundred and forty francs,
I must,--unless you intend to step between those usurers and me,--I must
yield to them. They are not content with my word of honor; they
first obtained the notes, then they had them protested, and now I am
threatened with arrest for debt. If I could manage to pay them back,
those scoundrels would have doubled their money. If I accept their terms
they will make a fortune out of my book and I shall get almost nothing;
one of them is a paper-maker, and God knows how they may keep down the
costs of publication. They will have my name, and that alone will sell
ten thousand copies for them."

"But, monsieur, how could you, a former magistrate!--"

"How could I help it? Not a friend, not a claim that I could make! And
yet I saved many heads, if I made some fall! And, then, my daughter,
my daughter! whose nurse I am, whose companion I must be; so that I can
work but a few hours snatched from sleep. Ah, young man! none but the
wretched can judge the wretched! Sometimes I think I used to be too
stern to misery."

"Monsieur, I do not ask your name. I cannot provide three thousand
francs, especially if I pay Halpersohn and your lesser debts; but I
will save you if you will promise me not to part with your book
without letting me know. It is impossible for me to arrange a matter as
important as this without consulting others. My backers are powerful,
and I can promise you success if you, in return, will promise me
absolute secrecy, even to your children, and keep your promise."

"The only success I care for is the recovery of my poor Vanda; for