u
have just heard was only a necessary preface."

"Only a preface?"

"Yes; but don't be discouraged. I have arrived at the object of my visit
now."

As Baron Trigault was supposed to enjoy an income of at least eight
hundred thousand francs a year, he received in the course of a
twelvemonth at least a million applications for money or help, and for
this reason he had not an equal for detecting a coming appeal. "Good
heavens!" he thought, "Valorsay is going to ask me for money." In fact,
he felt certain that the marquis's pretended carelessness concealed real
embarrassment, and that it was difficult for him to find the words he
wanted.

"So I am about to marry," M. de Valorsay resumed--"I wish to break off
my former life, to turn over a new leaf. And now the wedding gifts,
the two fetes that I propose giving, the repairs at Valorsay, and the
honeymoon with my wife--all these things will cost a nice little sum."

"A nice little sum, indeed!"

"Ah, well! as I'm not going to wed an heiress, I fear I shall run a
trifle short. The matter was worrying me a little, when I thought of
you. I said to myself: 'The baron, who always has money at his disposal,
will no doubt let me have the use of five thousand louis for a year.'"

The baron's eyes were fixed upon his companion's face. "Zounds!" he
exclaimed in a half-grieved, half-petulant tone; "I haven't the amount!"

It was not disappointment that showed itself on the marquis's face; it
was absolute despair, quickly concealed.

But the baron had detected it; and he realized his applicant's urgent
need. He felt certain that M. de Valorsay was financially ruined--and
yet, as it did not suit his plans to refuse, he hastily added: "When I
say I haven't that amount, I mean that I haven't got it on hand just at
this moment. But I shall have it within forty-eight hours; and if you
are at home at this time on the day after to-morrow, I will send you one
of my agents, who will arrange the matter with you."

A moment before, the marquis had allowed his consternation to show
itself; but this time he knew how to conceal the joy that filled his
soul. So it was in the most indifferent manner, as if the affair were
one of trivial importance, that he thanked the baron for being so
obliging. Plainly enough, he now longed to make his escape, and indeed,
after rattling off a few commonplace remarks, he rose to his feet and
took his leave, exclaiming: "Till the day after to-morrow, then!"