"That bill was a forgery! the firm of Meulaert never gave such a bill to William Smith, and never had such a transaction with such an individual."
"Can this be true?" exclaimed M. de Saint-Rémy, with equal surprise and indignation; "then I have been most infamously deceived, sir, for I took the bill as ready money."
"From whom?"
"From M. William Smith himself; the house of Meulaert is so well known, and I was so firmly convinced myself of the honour of M. William Smith, that I took the bill in payment of a debt he owed me."
"William Smith never existed,—he is an imaginary personage."
"Sir, you insult me!"
"His signature is forged and false, as well as all the rest of the bill."
"I assert that M. William Smith is alive; but I must have been the dupe of a horrible abuse of confidence."
"Poor young man!"
"Explain yourself, sir."