"I 'ave not nozzin to do nor not to say viz canaille," said the count.
"Then, perhaps, it will be more agreeable to you, sir, to be horsewhipped in Broadway," said Merton.
"Me! horsevhip! me! the friend of Henri V.! horreur!" cried the count.
"Very good, monsieur, I have presented the alternative. Where may you be found?"
"Hôtel de Ville—City Hotel."
"Au plaisir, then Count Alfred de Roseville," said Merton, glancing at the card the Frenchman handed him. "Come, father."
"Mr. Brandon, I shall wait on you at your counting room in the course of the forenoon," said Mr. Merton, senior; "we have an account to settle together."
And the father and son bowed themselves out of the room. Julia was so much agitated at the events which had just transpired, that she was compelled to retire to her room. Uncle Richard and Mr. and Mrs. Brandon remained upon the field of battle.
"Well, Maria," said the broker, "the first act of the comedy has been played, in which you have assigned me a very insignificant and low-comedy part, but I don't think either of us has made a very distinguished figure in it. I hope the last act will redeem the first."
The lady reddened, but made no reply.