The servant bowed; he did not dare to answer 'No' exactly, so he said nothing.
'You must have some,' the Marquis went on rather sternly. 'I gave it to you two weeks ago. Have you spent it all? You waste the little I have left.'
'My lord, last Friday you took it almost all. We must live. You would not like her ladyship to die of hunger,' said Giovanni in a complaining voice.
'Very good, very good; I understand,' the Marquis interrupted, irritated, but concealing his rage. 'I need at least fifty francs. I have a debt of honour to pay this evening. Then to-morrow evening'—emphasizing the words—'I will give it to you back. I will give you other money, too, a lot of money, so that you will not accuse me of letting my daughter die of hunger.'
'You are master, my lord; but if you knew what money it is——' And he took a torn note-book from his pocket.
'What is it you refer to?' said the Marquis, casting devouring eyes on the pocket-book.
'Nothing, my lord;' and he respectfully handed his master a fifty-franc note.
He did it in such a way as to try and prevent the Marquis seeing a second one he had; but the old gentleman dared not ask for it just then.
'You can go,' he said to the servant, who went off.