'Depends on how you call it. This fraud'll drift into the paths of virtue; as fraud sometimes does. You'll be in every way a fool if you drop a word to cause any one to think that you haven't been the Marquis all along. For one thing, you'll lose the good character I've earned you; and, for another, you'll be in jail.'
'But I shan't be able to continue the deception for a moment.'
'Why not? If there's one thing you're good at, it is deception.'
'Suppose that I'm found out?'
'Then you may expect trouble--from me.'
'How did you come in possession of that--that acceptance?'
'For information on that point I refer you to Mr. Acrodato; though I don't advise you to apply for it. So long as he continues to believe that you are me all will be merry as a marriage bell; the moment he suspects that he's been tricked the band will begin to play.'
'Give me that bill and I'll give you a quittance for the money you've taken, and nothing shall be said of what you've done.'
'You'll do all that, and more--without my giving you the bill.'
'Are you proposing to blackmail me?'