"I suspected two was about the figure, but we will call it a million and a half."
"Well, what then?" said Jaspar, impatiently.
"One-half of it would be a very pretty fortune," soliloquized De Guy, loud enough to be heard by his companion.
"No doubt of it," replied Jaspar, with a ghastly smile, which betrayed but little of the terrible agitation that racked him, as he heard these words.
"But, Mr. Dumont, you are not a married man, you know, and one-third of it would be very handsome for you."
"Very comfortable, indeed; and, no doubt, I ought to be very grateful to you for allowing me so much."
"Exactly so. Gratitude is a sentiment worthy of cherishing. The fact is, Mr. Dumont, I intend to marry; and, for a man of my expensive habits, one-half is hardly an adequate share. You are a single man, and not likely to change your condition at present, so that you can have no possible use, either for yourself or for your heirs, for any more than one-third."
"Your calculations are excellent!" said Jaspar, with a withering sneer. "But suppose I should grumble at your taking the lion's share?"
"O, but, my dear sir, you will not grumble! Your sense of justice will enable you to perceive the equity of this division."
"Enough of this! I am in no humor for jesting," said Jaspar, with a frown.