"Sir, you give me a proof of your interest, for which I thank you, and I regret that any hasty expressions should have escaped me," said M. de Saint-Remy, with a tone of cordiality.
"I do not take the slightest interest in or for you," replied the notary, brutally. "Your father is the soul of honour, and I would not wish that in the depth of that solitude in which he lives, as they tell me, at Angers, he should learn that his name has been exposed, tarnished, degraded, in a court of justice, that's all."
"I repeat to you, sir, that I am incapable of the infamy which is attributed to me."
"You may tell that to M. Petit-Jean."
"But I confess that, in the absence of M. Smith, who has so unworthily abused my confidence, that—"
"The scoundrel Smith!"
"The absence of M. Smith places me in a cruel embarrassment. I am innocent,—let them accuse me, I will prove myself guiltless; but such an accusation, even, must always disgrace a gentleman."
"Well?"
"Be so good as to use the sum I have just handed to you in part payment to the person who holds the acceptance."
"That money belongs to a client and is sacred."