"I see, sir, you are not disposed to allow me to defend myself, or to encourage me to enter into any explanation."
"I have said that the matter no longer concerns me."
"Then I will not occupy your time with a vain attempt to change your opinion of me, but will proceed at once to the request I have to make."
"I shall feel obliged by your doing so," said Mr. Emerson, in a manner which intimated that he wished to close the interview.
"All I ask," proceeded Maurice, "is that you will take no further steps until"—
"I have no further steps to take," interrupted Mr. Emerson, frigidly.
Maurice looked puzzled, but, imagining that Mr. Emerson did not choose to understand him, he added, "I mean, in plain language, that you will not make the affair public, and that you will not institute legal proceedings until"—
"The repayment of the money loaned, obviated the necessity for legal proceedings," returned Mr. Emerson, in the same cold manner.
"The repayment?" exclaimed Maurice, in amazement; "what repayment? what money?"
"The ten thousand dollars loaned to you by me, somewhat rashly, and without examining a security which proved to be valueless."