paper, the poor
perfumer felt something that was like a hot iron in his stomach. He
assumed the ingratiating manner which for ten years past the banker had
seen all men put on when they wanted to get the better of him for
their own purposes, and which gave him at once the advantage over them.
Francois Keller accordingly darted at Cesar a look which shot through
his head,--a Napoleonic look. This imitation of Napoleon's glance was a
silly satire, then popular with certain parvenus who had never seen so
much as the base coin of their emperor. This glance fell upon Birotteau,
a devotee of the Right, a partisan of the government,--himself an
element of monarchical election,--like the stamp of a custom-house
officer affixed to a bale of merchandise.

"Monsieur, I will not waste your time; I will be brief. I come on
commercial business only,--to ask if I can obtain a credit. I was
formerly a judge of the commercial courts, and known to the Bank of
France. You will easily understand that if I had plenty of ready money
I need only apply there, where you are yourself a director. I had the
honor of sitting on the Bench of commerce with Monsieur le baron Thibon,
chairman of the committee on discounts; and he, most assuredly, would
not refuse me. But up to this time I have never made use of my credit
or my signature; my signature is virgin,--and you know what difficulties
that puts in the way of negotiation."

Keller moved his head, and Birotteau took the movement for one of
impatience.

"Monsieur, these are the facts," he resumed. "I am engaged in an affair
of landed property, outside of my business--"

Francois Keller, who continued to sign and read his documents, without
seeming to listen to Birotteau, here turned round and made him a little
sign of attention, which encouraged the poor man. He thought the matter
was taking a favorable turn, and breathed again.

"Go on; I hear you," said Keller good-naturedly.

"I have purchased, at half its value, certain land about the
Madeleine--"

"Yes; I heard Nucingen speak of that immense affair,--undertaken, I
believe, by Claparon and Company."

"Well," continued Cesar, "a credit of a hundred thousand francs, secured
on my share of the purchase, will suffice to carry me along until I can
reap certain profits from a discovery of mine in perfumery. Should it be
necessary, I will cover your risk by notes on a new establishment,--the
firm of A. Popinot--"

Keller seemed to care v