“Oh yes, money; a big sum, which he suggests I should hand over.”
“Of course there would be that demand—there always is. I should like to see how he puts it.”
“Ah,” Léon exclaimed, hurriedly, “I tore the letter up. Its insolence enraged me so much!”
“Naturally. Well, I imagine you will not give him the satisfaction of taking any notice of his attempt. It is always better to say nothing about such a matter and simply to ignore it. I believe there are wretches who make a profession of trying to extort money by getting hold of some forgotten trifle, and magnifying it until they manage to frighten weak-spirited persons. Probably your correspondent is one of the tribe.”
Mme. de Beaudrillart had a heap of linen before her; she lifted one piece after another, and laid it on one side, mechanically counting.
“I know the man,” muttered Léon, his eyes on the heap.
“Yes?”
“And I shall answer him.”
“Unwise.”
“I must. The fellow passes for a gentleman. Why, he has inherited a great part of old De Cadanet’s money.”