But the worthy man did not allow her to proceed.  “I have no fault to find with him,” he went on—­“absolutely none.  Why, dear me! haven’t I been in business myself? and don’t I know what it is?  First, we borrow a thousand francs or so from the cash account, then ten thousand, then a hundred thousand.  Oh! without any bad intention, to be sure, and with the firm resolution to return them.  But we don’t always do what we wish to do.  Circumstances sometimes work against us, if we operate at the bourse to make up the deficit we lose.  Then we must borrow again, draw from Peter to pay Paul.  We are afraid of being caught:  we are compelled, reluctantly of course, to alter the books.  At last a day comes when we find that millions are gone, and the bomb-shell bursts.  Does it follow from this that a man is dishonest?  Not the least in the world:  he is simply unlucky.”

He stopped, as if awaiting an answer; but, as none came, he resumed,

“I repeat, I have no fault to find with Favoral.  Only then, now, between us, to lose these hundred and twenty thousand francs would simply be a disaster for me.  I know very well that both Chapelain and Desormeaux had also deposited funds with Favoral.  But they are rich:  one of them owns three houses in Paris, and the other has a good situation; whereas I, these hundred and twenty thousand francs gone, I’d have nothing left but my eyes to weep with.  My wife is dying about it.  I assure you our position is a terrible one.”

To M. Desclavettes,—­as to the baker a few moments before,

“We have nothing,” said Maxence.

“I know it,” exclaimed the old merchant.  “I know it as well as you do yourself.  And so I have come to beg a little favor of you, which will cost you nothing.  When you see Favoral, remember me to him, explain my situation to him, and try to make him give me back my money.  He is a hard one to fetch, that’s a fact.  But if you go right about it, above all, if our dear Gilberte will take the matter in hand.”

“Sir!”

“Oh!  I swear I sha’n’t say a word about it, either to Desormeaux or Chapelain, nor to any one else.  Although reimbursed, I’ll make as much noise as the rest,—­more noise, even.  Come, now, my dear friends, what do you say?”

He was almost crying.

“And where the deuse,” exclaimed Maxence, “do you expect my father to take a hundred and twenty thousand francs?  Didn’t you see him go without even taking the money that M. de Thaller had brought?”

A smile appeared upon M. Desclavettes’ pale lips.

“That will do very well to say, my dear Maxence;” he said, “and some people may believe it.  But don’t say it to your old friend, who knows too much about business for that.  When a man puts off, after borrowing twelve millions from his employers, he would be a great fool if he had not put away two or three in safety.  Now, Favoral is not a fool.”