"It is time to end this," said a stern, disagreeable voice; "and I will not wait any longer, M. Raymond."
"But M. Gray," answered another and more pleasant voice, "you will think of my situation—my family. I have done all I could."
"I have thought too much of your family," replied Gray; "but I must also think of myself. Esther—your daughter—she does not speak with me, for example, as you said she should."
"Monsieur!" exclaimed the other.
"This Le Brun—she is all ears and eyes for him. She——"
"M. Gray!" said Raymond. His voice had been deprecating before—it was firm now. "You are so harsh to me; how can you expect kindness from her?"
"Why, sir, you promised to use your influence with her——"
"Promised, M. Gray!" Raymond burst in. "You did not think I should sell my daughter for a debt of the table? I do not think, monsieur, you expected me to sell my Esther, for example." And there was an emphasis on these last words which only a Frenchman could give.
"I did not say you promised that," replied the other; "but I am seeking for the money you owe me. I love your daughter; you know it; she does not smile, and I must wait. But my creditors will not wait. I owe money, and come to you for what you owe me."
The voice that said this was cold and stern. Suddenly, as I listened to it, it seemed familiar to me; but where I had heard it I could not remember. Raymond replied: