ier will not
trouble you--Louvier, the best fellow in the world! I'll call on him and
explain matters."

It is to be presumed that the Chevalier did so explain; for though both
at the first, and quite recently at the second default of payment, Alain
received letters from M. Louvier's professional agent, as reminders of
interest due, and as requests for its payment, the Chevalier assured him
that these applications were formalities of convention--that Louvier, in
fact, knew nothing about them; and when dining with the great financier
himself, and cordially welcomed and called "Mon cher," Alain had taken
him aside and commenced explanation and excuse, Louvier had cut him
short. "Peste! don't mention such trifles. There is such a thing as
business--that concerns my agent; such a thing as friendship--that
concerns me. Allez!"

Thus M. de Rochebriant, confiding in debtor and in creditor, had
suffered twelve months to glide by without much heed of either, and more
than live up to an income amply sufficient indeed for the wants of an
ordinary bachelor, but needing more careful thrift than could well be
expected from the head of one of the most illustrious houses in France,
cast so young into the vortex of the most expensive capital in the
world.

The poor Marquis glided into the grooves that slant downward, much as
the French Marquis of tradition was wont to glide; not that he appeared
to live extravagantly, but he needed all he had for his pocket-money,
and had lost that dread of being in debt which he had brought up from
the purer atmosphere of Bretagne.

But there were some debts which; of course, a Rochebriant must
pay--debts of honour--and Alain had, on the previous night, incurred
such a debt and must pay it that day. He had been strongly tempted, when
the debt rose to the figure it had attained, to risk a change of luck;
but whatever his imprudence, he was incapable of dishonesty. If the luck
did not change, and he lost more, he would be without means to meet his
obligations. As the debt now stood, he calculated that he could just
discharge it by the sale of his coupe and horses. It is no wonder he
left his letters unopened, however charming they might be; he was quite
sure they would contain no cheque which would enable him to pay his debt
and retain his equipage.

The door opened, and the valet announced M. le Chevalier de
Finisterre--a man with smooth countenance and air distinque, a pleasant
voice and perpetu