The viscount was speechless with surprise; he frowned, moved his chair away from Georgette's, and muttered at last:
"Hum! all this means that you want twenty thousand francs before you surrender?"
"Yes, monsieur, that's it exactly."
"That's a little expensive, mademoiselle."
"It's not I who am expensive, monsieur," retorted the girl, with a glance of disdain, almost of contempt; "it's the little girl—the child."
"The little girl! the little girl! but you haven't one yet! Wait at least until you have it, before you make such a demand!"
"No, no! for it would be too late then, and I should be very sure of being refused."
"Do you think so?"
"I don't think so; I am certain of it."
As she spoke, Georgette fixed her eyes on the young man's face with such a meaning expression that he could not support it but lowered his eyes and faltered: