“You had better; he often has it in his power to give useful information in such matters.”
“He served me once very well; I have no claim on him, and am not in the humour to bother him again.”
“Oh, if you’re bashful, and dread being intrusive, you need only commission me. I shall see him to-night; I can put in a word.”
“I beg you will not, Mr. Hunsden; I am in your debt already; you did me an important service when I was at X——; got me out of a den where I was dying: that service I have never repaid, and at present I decline positively adding another item to the account.”
“If the wind sits that way, I’m satisfied. I thought my unexampled generosity in turning you out of that accursed counting-house would be duly appreciated some day: ‘Cast your bread on the waters, and it shall be found after many days,’ say the Scriptures. Yes, that’s right, lad—make much of me—I’m a nonpareil: there’s nothing like me in the common herd. In the meantime, to put all humbug aside and talk sense for a few moments, you would be greatly the better of a situation, and what is more, you are a fool if you refuse to take one from any hand that offers it.”
“Very well, Mr. Hunsden; now you have settled that point, talk of something else. What news from X——?”
“I have not settled that point, or at least there is another to settle before we get to X——. Is this Miss Zénobie” (Zoraïde, interposed I)—“well, Zoraïde—is she really married to Pelet?”
“I tell you yes—and if you don’t believe me, go and ask the curé of St. Jacques.”
“And your heart is broken?”
“I am not aware that it is; it feels all right—beats as usual.”