“‘What was your mother’s name?’
“‘I never knew.’
“To M. de Thaller’s first surprise had succeeded a feeling of evident irritation; but, the more haughty and brutal his manners, the cooler and the more self-possessed I became.
“‘And you are soliciting assistance?’ he said.
“I drew myself up, and, looking at him straight in the eyes,
“‘I beg your pardon,’ I replied: ‘it is a legitimate indemnity which I claim.’
“Indeed, it seemed to me that my firmness alarmed him. With a feverish haste, he began to feel in his pockets. He took out their contents of gold and bank-notes all in a heap, and, thrusting it into my hands without counting,
“‘Here,’ he said, ‘take this. Are you satisfied?’
“I observed to him, that, having sent a letter to Mme. de Thaller, it would perhaps be proper to await her answer. But he replied that it was not necessary, and, pushing me towards the door,
“‘You may depend upon it,’ he said, ‘I shall tell my wife that I saw you.’