“No; it is too little. I must pay Nina’s milliner’s bill, and I want to go to Paris.”
“I will give you six.”
“No, ten. Not a penny more or less.”
“Very well; I will give you ten thousand francs. Give me the letters. Swear that they are all here!”
“Look at the dates. They are really all here. They are numbered too by the count, with red ink, perhaps with his blood.”
And here there was a loud laugh.
“When you bring me the ten thousand francs I will give you the letters, not before.”
⁂
The compact was made, the letters were returned, the sum was paid.
The husband paid Nina’s milliner’s bill, and has gone to Paris. Indeed, he has already returned and is still living in the house of his wife, with whom he hopes soon to be able to negotiate a new ransom.