"On my honor, never!"
"In that case—look you! tell her to respect me as she ought, and don't talk about giving her money that belongs to you; for, deuce take me! if you choose to think well of me and not blush at my friendship, I'll toss her a pretty little present! I'll redeem her house at Sèvres. What would you say to that, eh?"
"I should say, my dear neighbor," exclaimed Madame d'Estrelle, deeply touched, "that you are the best of men!"
"The best, honor bright?" said the rich man, flattered to the last degree in his pride; "the best, you say?"
"Yes, the best rich man whom I know."
"Then it's as good as done! Will you come to breakfast at my house to-morrow with some scientific men, very famous men of intellect, and attend a christening? Will you be godmother and stand up with me?"
"Yes, at what hour?"
"Twelve o'clock."
"I will come! but I must come with some one, as you are to have men there who do not know me. I will come with——"
"With my sister-in-law; I see what you are coming at!"