"It is impossible; all that I come to ask in the name of Charles, in the name of my children, is that—"
"Let me interrupt you. Why do you say it is impossible to prevent this disaster?"
"M. Pascal is relentless."
"That may be, but what is your position toward him?"
"A year ago my husband found himself, like so many other manufacturers, in an embarrassed position. M. Pascal offered his services to us. Charles, deceived by fair appearances, accepted. It would be too long to explain to you by what a train of affairs Charles, trusting the promises of M. Pascal, soon discovered that he was absolutely dependent on this man, who could any day recall more than a hundred thousand crowns,—that is to say, could ruin our business and plunge us in misery. At last that day has come, and M. Pascal, strong in this terrible power, places my husband and myself in the alternative of submitting to this ruin or consenting to two unworthy deeds he imposes upon us."
"The wretch! The infamous wretch!"
"Yesterday, when you arrived, he had just made known to us his intentions. We answered according to our hearts and our honour; he swore to revenge himself on us and to-day he has kept his word. We are lost, I tell you; he claims, too, that by reason of some authority, he will put Charles in prison temporarily. My idea, above everything else, is to save my husband from prison, but he refuses to escape, saying it is only a decoy, that he has nothing to fear, and that he—"
Madeleine, who had remained silent and thoughtful for some time, again interrupted her friend, and said to her:
"What would be necessary to free you from all fear of M. Pascal?"
"To reimburse him."