Louis.
"'The present letter is to serve as a receipt.'"
A murmur of terror circulated through the apartment.
"Well!" cried Pellisson, in his turn, "you have received that letter?"
"Received it, yes!"
"What will you do, then?"
"Nothing, since I have received it."
"But—"
"If I have received it, Pellisson, I have paid it," said the surintendant, with a simplicity that went to the heart of all present.
"You have paid it!" cried Madame Fouquet. "Then we are ruined!"