as for
a father; and if ever," he hurried on in broken words, "I am mean enough
to squander on idle luxuries one franc that I should save for the debt
due to you, chide me as a father would chide a graceless son."

Moved as Alain was, Duplessis was moved yet more deeply. "What father
would not be proud of such a son? Ah, if I had such a one!" he said
softly. Then, quickly recovering his wonted composure, he added, with
the sardonic smile which often chilled his friends and alarmed his foes,
"Monsieur Louvier is about to pass that which I ventured to promise him,
a 'mauvais quart-d'heure.' Lend me that commandement tendant a saisie.
I must be off to my avoue with instructions. If you have no better
engagement, pray dine with me to-day and accompany Valerie and myself to
the opera."

I need not say that Alain accepted the invitation. How happy Valerie was
that evening!

CHAPTER IX.

The next day Duplessis was surprised by a visit from M. Louvier--that
magnate of millionaires had never before set foot in the house of his
younger and less famous rival.

The burly man entered the room with a face much flushed, and with more
than his usual mixture of jovial brusquerie and opulent swagger.

"Startled to see me, I dare say," began Louvier, as soon as the door was
closed. "I have this morning received a communication from your agent
containing a cheque for the interest due to me from M. Rochebriant, and
a formal notice of your intention to pay off the principal on behalf of
that popinjay prodigal. Though we two have not hitherto been the best
friends in the world, I thought it fair to a man in your station to come
to you direct and say, 'Cher confrere, what swindler has bubbled you?
You don't know the real condition of this Breton property, or you
would never so throw away your millions. The property is not worth the
mortgage I have on it by 30,000 louis."

"Then, M. Louvier, you will be 30,000 louis the richer if I take the
mortgage off your hands."

"I can afford the loss--no offence--better than you can; and I may
have fancies which I don't mind paying for, but which cannot influence
another. See, I have brought with me the exact schedule of all details
respecting this property. You need not question their accuracy; they
have been arranged by the Marquis's own agents, M. Gandrin and M.
Hebert. They contain, you will perceive, every possible item of revenue,
down to an apple-tree. Now, look at that, and tell m