“And in what form? In paper?”
“In paper, and in property, and industries; in steamship companies, in manufactories....”
“I would make an admirable business manager.”
“Well, your uncle, the Cardinal, could get you put in touch with the Society.”
“Is he a friend of theirs?”
“Close as a finger-nail.”
Cæsar was silent a moment, and then said:
“And I have heard that the Society of Jesus was, at bottom, an anti-Christian organization, a branch of Masonry....”
“Macché!” exclaimed the abbé. “How could you believe that? Oh, no, my friend! What an absurdity!”
Then, seeing Cæsar burst into laughter, he calmed himself, wondering if he was making fun of him.