Come, come!" cried the merchant; "we knew long, long ago that you were
mightily fond of your money; but when you marry your _only_ child you
must open your heart and your purse, my dear sir, and portion her
according to your means. They say--pardon me for repeating it--that you
are _a miser_; but what a shame it would be to let your only daughter
leave your house unprovided for!"

Poor De Vlierbeck writhed on his chair as Denecker poured forth his
incredulous jokes. "For God's sake, sir," cried he, "spare me these
bitter remarks. I declare, on the word of a gentleman, that I possess
_nothing_ in the world!"

"Well!" cried the merchant, taking no heed of his remarks, and with a
mocking smile, "come; let us cipher the matter out on the table. You
suppose, perhaps, that I have come here to ask some great sacrifice of
you: but no, De Vlierbeck, thank God, I have no occasion to be so close
in my calculations. Yet a marriage is a thing to which there are always
two parties, and it is just that each should bring something into the
common stock."

"Oh, God! oh, God!" muttered the poor gentleman, as he clenched his
hands convulsively.

"I propose to give my nephew one hundred thousand francs," continued
Denecker; "and if he wants to continue in business my credit will be
worth as much more to him. I have no wish that Lenora's portion shall
equal his. Your high birth, and especially your character, will make up
what is wanting in her fortune; but what say you to the half,--fifty
thousand francs? You will consent to that, or I am much mistaken. What
say you? Is it a bargain?"

Pale and trembling, De Vlierbeck sat riveted to his chair; but at last,
in a low, melancholy voice,--

"Monsieur Denecker," said he, "this conversation kills me. I beg you to
stop this infliction. I repeat that I possess _nothing_; and, since you
force me to speak before you apprize me of your own intentions, know
that Grinselhof and its dependencies are mortgaged beyond their value!
It is useless to inform you of the origin of these debts. Let it suffice
to repeat that I tell the truth; and I beg you, without going further,
now that you are informed of the state of my affairs, to declare frankly
what are your designs as to your nephew's marriage."

Although this declaration was made with that feverish energy which ought
to have satisfied Denecker of its truth, it nevertheless failed to
convince him. A degree of surprise displayed itself on the merch