"And what does your husband owe him?"
"More than a hundred thousand crowns, our factory as security, but once deprived of our property we would possess nothing in the world. My husband would be declared a bankrupt, and our future would be hopeless."
"And is there absolutely no other way of escaping M. Pascal than by immediate repayment?"
"There is one on which my husband had always relied, resting on the word of this wicked man."
"And what is that way?"
"To give Charles ten years to pay off the debt."
"And suppose you had that assurance?"
"Alas! we would be saved, but M. Pascal wishes to have his revenge, and he will never consent to give us any means of salvation."
This sad conversation was interrupted by Antonine, who, beaming with joy, ran into the room, saying:
"Oh, Madeleine! come! come!"