e night all the sums for which that fatal hour has
been mortgaged; and I am sure that such an hour with me is worth
millions--all the more because it will be the only one, the last.
I shall then have paid the debt, and may get away from life. A
good woman has a chance of restoration after a fall; but we, the
like of us, fall too low.

"My determination is so fixed that I beg you will keep this letter
in evidence of the cause of death of her who remains, for one day,
your servant,

"ESTHER."

Having sent this letter, Esther felt a pang of regret. Ten minutes after
she wrote a third note, as follows:--

"Forgive me, dear Baron--it is I once more. I did not mean either
to make game of you or to wound you; I only want you to reflect on
this simple argument: If we were to continue in the position
towards each other of father and daughter, your pleasure would be
small, but it would be enduring. If you insist on the terms of the
bargain, you will live to mourn for me.

"I will trouble you no more: the day when you shall choose
pleasure rather than happiness will have no morrow for me.--Your
daughter,

"ESTHER."

On receiving the first letter, the Baron fell into a cold fury such as
a millionaire may die of; he looked at himself in the glass and rang the
bell.

"An hot bat for mein feet," said he to his new valet.

While he was sitting with his feet in the bath, the second letter came;
he read it, and fainted away. He was carried to bed.

When the banker recovered consciousness, Madame de Nucingen was sitting
at the foot of the bed.

"The hussy is right!" said she. "Why do you try to buy love? Is it to be
bought in the market!--Let me see your letter to her."

The Baron gave her sundry rough drafts he had made; Madame de Nucingen
read them, and smiled. Then came Esther's third letter.

"She is a wonderful girl!" cried the Baroness, when she had read it.

"Vat shall I do, montame?" asked the Baron of his wife.

"Wait."

"Wait? But nature is pitiless!" he cried.

"Look here, my dear, you have been admirably kind to me," said Delphine;
"I will give you some good advice."

"You are a ver' goot voman," said he. "Ven you hafe any debts I shall
pay."

"Your state on receiving these letters touches a woman far more than the
spending of millions, or than all