mean and niggardly acrimony of Molineux, and
he shrank from imploring his favor. The landlord was sitting in the
chimney-corner, as on the occasion of Cesar's first visit, but his
breakfast was now in process of digestion. Birotteau proffered his
request.

"Renew a note for twelve hundred francs?" said Molineux, with mocking
incredulity. "Have you got to that, monsieur? If you have not twelve
hundred francs to pay me on the 15th, do you intend to send back my
receipt for the rent unpaid? I shall be sorry; but I have not the
smallest civility in money-matters,--my rents are my living. Without
them how could I pay what I owe myself? No merchant will deny the
soundness of that principle. Money is no respecter of persons; money has
no ears, it has no heart. The winter is hard, the price of wood has gone
up. If you don't pay me on the 15th, a little summons will be served
upon you at twelve o'clock on the 16th. Bah! the worthy Mitral, your
bailiff, is mine as well; he will send you the writ in an envelope, with
all the consideration due to your high position."

"Monsieur, I have never received a summons in my life," said Birotteau.

"There is a beginning to everything," said Molineux.

Dismayed by the curt malevolence of the old man, Cesar was cowed; he
heard the knell of failure ringing in his ears, and every jangle woke
a memory of the stern sayings his pitiless justice had uttered against
bankrupts. His former opinions now seared, as with fire, the soft
substance of his brain.

"By the by," said Molineux, "you neglected to put upon your notes, 'for
value received in rental,' which would secure me preference."

"My position will prevent me from doing anything to the detriment of
my creditors," said Cesar, stunned by the sudden sight of the precipice
yawning before him.

"Very good, monsieur, very good; I thought I knew everything relating to
rentals and tenants, but I have learned through you never to take notes
in payment. Ah! I shall sue you, for your answer shows plainly enough
that you are not going to meet your liabilities. Hard cash is a matter
which concerns every landlord in Paris."

Birotteau went out, weary of life. It is in the nature of such soft
and tender souls to be disheartened by a first rebuff, just as a first
success encourages them. Cesar no longer had any hope except in the
devotion of little Popinot, to whom his thoughts naturally turned as he
crossed the Marche des Innocents.

"Poor boy! w