The other, soon losing all patience, shouted under his very nose: "Why, I am richer than you, you infernally currish old donkey. I would bring you money."
The old man listened in silence to these words, incredulous but vigilant, and then, in a milder tone, he renewed his complaints.
Paul then answered him and entered into explanations; and, believing that an obligation was imposed on him, owing to the circumstances under which he had been surprised, and for which he was solely responsible, he proposed to marry the girl without asking for any dowry.
Père Oriol shook his head and his ears, heard Paul reiterating his statements, but was unable to understand. To him this young man seemed still a pauper, a penniless wretch.
And, when Bretigny, exasperated, yelled, in his teeth: "Why, you old rascal, I have an income of more than a hundred and twenty thousand francs a year—do you understand?—three millions," the other suddenly asked: "Will you write that down on a piece of paper?"
"Yes, I will write it down!"
"And you'll sign it?"
"Yes, I will sign it."
"On a sheet of notary's paper?"
"Yes, certainly—on a sheet of notary's paper!"