"When could you pay back this money?"
Not that he had it; quite the contrary! But there was nothing to prevent him from seeing some friends, and making an application to them.
And he rang for his servant to get himself dressed.
Arnoux thanked him.
"The amount you want is eighteen thousand francs—isn't it?"
"Oh! I could manage easily with sixteen thousand! For I could make two thousand five hundred out of it, or get three thousand on my silver plate, if Vanneroy meanwhile would give me till to-morrow; and, I repeat to you, you may inform the lender, give him a solemn undertaking, that in eight days, perhaps even in five or six, the money will be reimbursed. Besides, the mortgage will be security for it. So there is no risk, you understand?"
Frederick assured him that he thoroughly understood the state of affairs, and added that he was going out immediately.
He would be sure on his return to bestow hearty maledictions on Deslauriers, for he wished to keep his word, and in the meantime, to oblige Arnoux.
"Suppose I applied to M. Dambreuse? But on what pretext could I ask for money? 'Tis I, on the contrary, that should give him some for the shares I took in his coal-mining company. Ah! let him go hang himself—his shares! I am really not liable for them!"
And Frederick applauded himself for his own independence, as if he had refused to do some service for M. Dambreuse.