t would give it to
you if you would execute a deed insuring him one hundred thousand francs
on the day you came of age."

"A hundred thousand devils are all the rogue would get from me. That's
the way I do things, do you see? If people try and ride roughshod over
me, I merely hit out, and then just look out for broken bones. Pay this
chap? Not I! I know the governor would make an almighty shine, but I'll
choose that sooner than be had like that."

He was quite serious but could only put his feelings into the language
he usually spoke.

"I think," answered Andre, "that your father would forgive this
imprudence, but that it will be even harder for him to do so than it was
to send a doctor to number the hours he had to live. He will forgive you
because he is your father, and because he loves you; but Verminet, when
he finds that the threat to go to your father does not appall you, will
menace you with criminal proceedings."

"Hulloo!" said Gandelu, stopping short. "I say, that is very poor fun,"
gasped he.

"There is no fun in it, for such fun, when brought to the notice of a
court of justice, goes by the ugly name of forgery, and forgery means a
swinging heavy sentence."

Gaston turned pale, and trembled from head to foot.

"Tried and sentenced," faltered he. "No, I don't believe you, but I hold
no honors and will turn up my cards." He quite forgot that he was in the
public street, and was talking at the top of his shrill falsetto voice,
and gesticulating violently.

"The poor old governor, I might have made him so happy, and, after all,
I have only been a torment to him. Ah, could I but begin once more; but
then the cards are dealt, and I must go on with the game, and I have
made a nice muddle of the whole thing before I am twenty years of age;
but no criminal courts for me, no, the easiest way out of it is a pistol
shot, for I am an honest man's son, and I will not bring more disgrace
on him than I have already done."

"Do you really mean what you say?" asked Andre.

"Of course I do. I can be firm enough sometimes."

"Then we will not despair yet," answered the young painter. "I think
that we shall be able to settle this ugly business, but you cannot be
too cautious. Keep indoors, and remember that I may have urgent need of
you at almost any time of day or night."

"I agree, but remember this, Zora is not to be forgotten."

"Don't fret over that; I will call and see her to-morrow. And now,
farewell for