Peregrine shrugged his shoulders. “Where Chance leads. Mayhap to the Devil.”
“An unpleasant fellow,” said the Count suavely, “and moreover no gentleman.”
“Truly!”
“A very usurer. Getting a man in his debt he demands constant interest, exceeding extortionate.”
“An’ a man were wise he would return the whole loan and have done with the matter,” returned Peregrine carelessly.
“No man has sufficient capital for that when he once takes loan from the Devil,” replied the Count half grimly.
“You seem to have a very good knowledge of his dealings,” said Peregrine.
Bonaventure shrugged his shoulders. “I have observed them more than once,” he said coolly. “An’ you have no better prospect in view than perchance to serve him, will you join company with me?”
Peregrine shook his head. “No,” he said.
“I am barely surprised,” returned the Count. “Yet I would ask you, unaccountable as it may seem to you, to come as my friend, not as my servant.”