are coming to the point."

"His ledder gif you in my house a creydit vich is only limided by der
limids of my privade fortune."

The exhilarating balm infused into the water offered by the angel
to Hagar in the desert, must have been the same cordial which flowed
through Cesar's veins as he listened to these words. The wily banker
retained the horrible pronunciation of the German Jews,--possibly
that he might be able to deny promises actually given, but only
half-understood.

"You shall haf a running aggont. Ve vill broceed in dis vay--" said this
great and good and venerable financier, with Alsatian good-humor.

Birotteau doubted no longer; he was a merchant, and new very well that
those who have no intention of rendering a service never enter into the
details of executing it.

"I neet not tell you dat der Bank demands of all, graat and small
alaike, dree zignatures. So denn, you traw a cheque to die order of our
frient tu Tillet, and I vill sent it, same tay, to der Bank mit mein
zignature; so shall you haf, at four o'clock, der amount of die cheque
you trew in der morning; and at der costs of die Bank. I vill not receif
a commission, no! I vill haf only der blaysure to be agreeaple to you.
But I mak one condeetion," he added, laying his left finger lightly on
his nose with an inimitably sly gesture.

"Monsieur le baron, it is granted on the sport," said Birotteau, who
thought it concerned some tithe to be levied on his profits.

"A condeetion to vich I attache der graatest imbortance, because I vish
Matame de Nucingen should receif, as she say, zom lessons from Matame
Pirodot."

"Monsieur le baron! pray do not laugh at me, I entreat you."

"Monsieur Pirodot," said the financier, with a serious air, "it is deen
agreet; you vill invite us to your nex pall? My vife is shalous; she
vish to see your abbartement, of vich she hear so mooch."

"Monsieur le baron!--"

"Oh! if you reffuse me, no creydit! Yes, I know der Prayfic of die Seine
was at your las pall."

"Monsieur le baron!--"

"You had Pillartiere, shentelman of der betchamber; goot royalist like
you, who vas vounded at Zaint-Roqque--"

"On the 13th Vendemiaire, Monsieur le baron."

"Denn you hat Monsieur de Lazabed, Monsieur Fauquelin of der Agatemi--"

"Monsieur le baron!--"

"Hey! der tefle! dont pe zo humple, Monsieur der debudy-mayor; I haf
heard dat der king say dat your ball--"

"The king?" exclaimed Birotteau, who was destined to hear