“You see, then—”
But without allowing her to proceed and taking gently her hand,
“Let me tell you all,” he interrupted, “and try with you to find an issue to this horrible situation. Strange rumors are afloat about M. Favoral. It is said that his austerity was but a mask, his sordid economy a means of gaining confidence. It is affirmed that in fact he abandoned himself to all sorts of disorders; that he had, somewhere in Paris, an establishment, where he lavished the money of which he was so sparing here. Is it so? The same thing is said of all those in whose hands large fortunes have melted.”
The young girl had become quite red.
“I believe that is true,” she replied. “The commissary of police stated so to us. He found among my father’s papers receipted bills for a number of costly articles, which could only have been intended for a woman.”
M. de Tregars looked perplexed.
“And does any one know who this woman is?” he asked.
“Whoever she may be, I admit that she may have cost M. Favoral considerable sums. But can she have cost him twelve millions?”
“Precisely the remark which M. Chapelain made.”
“And which every sensible man must also make. I know very well that to conceal for years a considerable deficit is a costly operation, requiring purchases and sales, the handling and shifting of funds, all of which is ruinous in the extreme. But, on the other hand, M. Favoral was making money, a great deal of money. He was rich: he was supposed to be worth millions. Otherwise, Costeclar would never have asked your hand.”