“Certainly. A pigeon arrived this morning with a few lines. All well there.”
“And Duplessis thinks, despite the war, that he shall be able, when the time comes, to pay Louvier the mortgage-sum?”
“He never doubts that. His credit in London is so good. But of course all works of improvement are stopped.”
“Pray did he mention me?—anything about the messenger who was to pierce the Prussian lines?”
“What! has the man not arrived? It is two weeks since he left.”
“The Uhlans have no doubt shot him—the assassins, and drunk up my 25,000 francs—the thieves.”
“I hope not. But in case of delay, Duplessis tells me I am to remit to you 2,000 francs for your present wants. I will send them to you this evening.”
“How the deuce do you possess such a sum?”
“I came from Brittany with a purse well filled. Of course I could have no scruples in accepting money from my destined father-in-law.”
“And you can spare this sum?”