"Altogether ten thousand eight hundred dollars," replied Albert. "Won't do; and besides, what security can you give me that all the payments will be made?"
"The documents, which in the mean time you may retain in your possession and which you are not expected to hand over till the six thousand dollars are paid."
"Well!" said Albert, "it is not much; but among good friends we ought not to insist too strictly. I accept."
"Let us make it out in writing."
"Why? If we do not wish to keep our word, we'll break it, anyhow; and besides, a paper of that kind might, if it should fall into the hands of the wrong person, commit the family of Grenwitz more seriously than they would like, and would, after all, but put one more weapon in my hands. You see I am perfectly candid."
"Bon!" said Felix. "Do you want the first four hundred at once?"
"I should think so."
Felix rose, took one of the lights, and went to a bureau which was standing back in the room, opened a drawer, took a few packages of bank-notes from it and placed them on the table before Albert.
"Count them!"
"It is not necessary," said Albert, slipping the parcel into his pocket; "your aunt never makes a mistake in counting. Well, Grenwitz, that matter is nicely arranged; now let us have a bottle of wine upon it--I have talked so much I am quite thirsty. If you permit me I will ring the bell."