ant's
face; but he continued his observations in the same incredulous tone:--

"Pardon me, De Vlierbeck, but it is impossible to believe you. I did not
think you were so hard in a bargain. Yet be it so: every man has his
weakness; one is too miserly, another too prodigal. Now, for my part, I
confess that I am extremely anxious to spare Gustave the anxiety of
delay. Give your daughter twenty-five thousand francs, with the
understanding that the amount of her portion is to remain a secret; for
I don't want to be laughed at. Twenty-five thousand francs!--you cannot
say it is too much;--in fact, it is a trifle that will hardly pay for
their furniture. Be reasonable, my good sir, and let us shake hands on
it!"

De Vlierbeck said nothing; but, rising abruptly from the table, opened a
closet with a trembling hand, and, taking from it a package of papers,
threw them on the table.

"There!" said he; "read; convince yourself."

Denecker took up the papers and began to examine them. As he went on,
the expression of his face gradually changed, and at times he raised
his head and looked upward, as if in deep thought. After he had been
engaged for some time in this disagreeable task, De Vlierbeck
recommenced the conversation in a tone of cutting irony:--

"Ah! you would not believe me, sir. Well, let your determination be
founded on those papers alone. It is right you should know every thing;
for I have determined never again to be tortured. Besides the evidences
of debt which are before you, I owe a bill of exchange for four thousand
francs, which I cannot pay! You see now, Monsieur Denecker, that I am
worse than poor, for I have debts!"

"Alas! it is but too true," said the stupefied merchant; "you have
indeed nothing! I see by these documents that my notary is also yours;
and, although I spoke to him of your fortune, he left me unadvised, or,
I should rather say, in error."

De Vlierbeck breathed more freely, for he felt as if a rock had fallen
from his breast. His face resumed its ordinary calmness; and, seating
himself, he continued:--

"Now, sir, if you have no longer any reason to doubt my poverty, let me
ask what are your intentions."

"My intentions?" replied the merchant; "my intentions are that we shall
remain as good friends as we were before; but, as to the marriage, that
of course falls to the ground. We will speak no more about it. What were
_your_ calculations, Monsieur De Vlierbeck? I think I am just begin