o the pawnbroker's, and pledged a watch and chain which he
had just sold you. It is a police matter. They said all that in
presence of my superior officer--in presence of M. de Thaller. I
had to get the janitor to put them out. But, after they had left,
M. de Thaller gave me to understand that he wished me very much to
settle everything. And he is right. My consideration could not
resist another such scene. What confidence can be placed in a
cashier whose son behaves in this manner? How can a key of a safe
containing millions be left with a man whose son would have been
dragged into the police-courts? In a word, I am at your mercy.
In a word, my honor, my position, my fortune, rest upon you. As
often as it may please you to make debts, you can make them, and
I shall be compelled to pay."

Gathering all his courage:

"You have been sometimes very harsh with me, father," commenced
Maxence; "and yet I will not try to justify my conduct. I swear to
you, that hereafter you shall have nothing to fear from me."

"I fear nothing," uttered M. Favoral with a sinister smile. "I
know the means of placing myself beyond the reach of your follies
--and I shall use them."

"I assure you, father, that I have taken a firm resolution."

"Oh! you may dispense with your periodical repentance."

Mlle. Gilberte stepped forward.

"I'll stand warrant," she said, "for Maxence's resolutions."

Her father did not permit her to proceed.

"Enough," he interrupted somewhat harshly. "Mind your own business,
Gilberte! I have to speak to you too."

"To me, father?"

"Yes."

He walked up and down three or four times through the parlor, as if
to calm his irritation. Then planting himself straight before his
daughter, his arms folded across his breast:

"You are eighteen years of age," he said; "that is to say, it is
time to think of your marriage. An excellent match offers itself."

She shuddered, stepped back, and, redder than a peony:

"A match!" she repeated in a tone of immense surprise.

"Yes, and which suits me."

"But I do not wish to marry, father."

"All young girls say the same thing; and, as soon as a pretender
offers himself, they are delighted. Mine is a fellow of twenty-six,
quite good looking, amiable, witty, and who has had the greatest
success in society."

"Father, I assure you that I do not wish to leave mother."

"Of course not. He is an intelligent, hard-working man, destined,
everybody say