His features betrayed that he was making a great mental effort. He remained for some time absorbed in his thoughts; and at last he said, as if coming to a decision,—
“No, I do not see any way to prevent this marriage; none at all.”
“Still, from what you told me”—
“What!”
“About the cupidity of this woman.”
“Well?”
“If she were offered a large sum, some eighty or a hundred thousand dollars?”
Maxime laughed out loud; but there was not the true ring in his laughter.
“You might offer her two hundred thousand, and she would laugh at you. Do you think she would be fool enough to content herself with a fraction of a fortune, if she can have the whole, with a great name and a high position into the bargain?”
Daniel opened his lips to present another suggestion; but Maxime, laying aside his usual half-dreamy, mocking manner, said, as if roused by a matter of great personal interest,—