“I will pay him the money.”
“And if your son is not guilty?”
“He’s in a situation from which there’s no way out, as you have said. Our honour is worth more than that. Even pursuit must splash mud on it.”
“Mr. Frasne is supposed to be close. His complaint perhaps is only a way of putting himself in funds again. Try him with half of it.”
“No; no bargaining. Full payment in consideration of withdrawal.”
The attorney was much distressed; naturally desirous of quiet and propriety, he fell back now on his professional scruples.
“You are right, and I want to oblige you, especially in view of the sacrifice you propose. But does it become my character to risk such an abnormal step?”
Mr. Roquevillard put a little emotion in his reply.
“It’s abnormal, yes. But time presses. I am pleading in court. In a little while the complaint will be noised about. You alone know of it and can still suspend it. Quash it. I beg of you.”
“It’s impossible. I can’t deliberately seek out a complainant.”