"Delighted to meet you, gentlemen," he said, extending his hand with a frank smile. "I suppose you have come in obedience to my request?"
Payot nodded.
"I hope," continued Delapine, "you have sold your property and shares to the best advantage, and realized enough money to pay off your liabilities?"
"Every one of them," said Payot.
"I can vouch for that," said Beaupaire, "as my friend Payot gave me a power of attorney to act for him, since he was too unnerved to rely on his own judgment."
"Excellent," said Delapine, stroking his chin and glancing from one to the other with his piercing eyes. "Have you anything left?"
"Alas! monsieur, only forty thousand francs."
"Well, that is better than nothing anyhow. You must be thankful for small mercies. I suppose you have still kept the house?"
"Well, not exactly. I was obliged to mortgage it, and managed with the money I raised to sell everything, and have a few thousand francs over."
"Never mind, however great a misfortune may be, you may always be sure it might have been much worse. Forty thousand francs is at least something to fall back upon."