nly afrait dat she shall let me go!" cried the Baron.

"And we want our money's worth, my boy," replied Asie. "Listen to me. We
have fleeced the public of some millions, my little friend? Twenty-five
millions I am told you possess."

The Baron could not suppress a smile.

"Well, you must let one go."

"I shall let one go, but as soon as I shall let one go, I shall hafe to
give still another."

"Yes, I understand," replied Asie. "You will not say B for fear of having
to go on to Z. Still, Esther is a good girl----"

"A ver' honest girl," cried the banker. "An' she is ready to submit; but
only as in payment of a debt."

"In short, she does not want to be your mistress; she feels an
aversion.--Well, and I understand it; the child has always done just
what she pleased. When a girl has never known any but charming young
men, she cannot take to an old one. You are not handsome; you are as
big as Louis XVIII., and rather dull company, as all men are who try to
cajole fortune instead of devoting themselves to women.--Well, if you
don't think six hundred thousand francs too much," said Asie, "I pledge
myself to make her whatever you can wish."

"Six huntert tousant franc!" cried the Baron, with a start. "Esther is
to cost me a million to begin with!"

"Happiness is surely worth sixteen hundred thousand francs, you old
sinner. You must know, men in these days have certainly spent more than
one or two millions on a mistress. I even know women who have cost men
their lives, for whom heads have rolled into the basket.--You know the
doctor who poisoned his friend? He wanted the money to gratify a woman."

"Ja, I know all dat. But if I am in lofe, I am not ein idiot, at
least vile I am here; but if I shall see her, I shall gife her my
pocket-book----"

"Well, listen Monsieur le Baron," said Asie, assuming the attitude of a
Semiramis. "You have been squeezed dry enough already. Now, as sure as
my name is Saint-Esteve--in the way of business, of course--I will stand
by you."

"Goot, I shall repay you."

"I believe you, my boy, for I have shown you that I know how to be
revenged. Besides, I tell you this, daddy, I know how to snuff out your
Madame Esther as you would snuff a candle. And I know my lady! When the
little huzzy has once made you happy, she will be even more necessary
to you than she is at this moment. You paid me well; you have allowed
yourself to be fooled, but, after all, you have forked out.--I have
fulfi