"I don't know, but wouldn't this money bring in more? Couldn't you speculate on the Bourse, bet at the races, play at Baden, or something? I've heard of people that are now rich as kings, who commenced with nothing, and hadn't your talents either. Why don't you do as they did?"
She spoke excitedly, as a woman does who is anxious to persuade. He looked at her, astonished to find her so sensitive, so disinterested.
"You will, won't you?" she insisted, "now, won't you?"
"You are a good girl," said he, charmed with her, "but you must take this money. I give it to you, don't be worried about anything."
"But you—have you still any money? What have you?"
"I have yet—"
He stopped, searched his pockets, and counted the money in his purse.
"Faith, here's three hundred and forty francs—more than I need. I must give some napoleons to your servants before I go."
"And what for Heaven's sake will become of you?"
He sat back in his chair, negligently stroked his handsome beard, and said: