“It is, perhaps, because I am not Greek,” Saniel replied; “but I am an Auvergnat, and the men of my country have great physical strength.”

Caffie shook his head.

“My dear sir,” he said, “I might as well tell you frankly that I do not believe the thing can be done.  I would do it myself willingly, because I read intelligence in your face, and resolution in your whole person, which inspire me with confidence in you; but I have no money to put into such speculations.  I can only be, as usual, a go-between—­that is to say, I can propose the loan to one of my clients, but I do not know one who would be contented with the guarantee of a future that is more or less uncertain.  There are so many doctors in Paris who are in your position.”

Saniel rose.

“Are you going?” cried Caffie.

“But—­”

“Sit down, my dear sir!  It is no use to throw the handle after the axe.  You make me a proposition, and I show you the difficulties in the way, but I do not say there is no way to extricate you from embarrassment.  I must look around.  I have known you only a few minutes; but it does not take long to appreciate a man like you, and, frankly, you inspire me with great interest.”

What did he wish?  Saniel was not simple enough to be caught by words, nor was he a fop who accepts with gaping mouth all the compliments addressed to him.  Why did he inspire a sudden interest in this man who had the reputation of pushing business matters to extremes?  He would find out.  In the mean time he would be on his guard.

“I thank you for your sympathy,” he said.

“I shall prove to you that it is real, and that it may become useful.  You come to me because you want three thousand francs.  I hope I may find them for you, and I promise to try, though it will be difficult, very difficult.  They will make you secure for the present.  But will they assure your future? that is, will they permit you to continue the important works of which you have spoken to me, and on which your future depends?  No.  Your struggles will soon begin again.  And you must shake yourself clear from such cares in order to secure for yourself the liberty that is indispensable if you wish to advance rapidly.  And to obtain this freedom from cares and this liberty, I see only one way—­you must marry.”

CHAPTER IV

’Twixt the devil and the deep sea

Saniel, who was on his guard and expected some sort of roguery from this man, had not foreseen that these expressions of interest were leading up to a proposal of marriage, and an exclamation of surprise escaped him.  But it was lost in the sound of the door-bell, which rang at that moment.

Caffie rose.  “How disagreeable it is not to have a clerk!” he said.

He went to open the door with an eagerness that he had not shown to Saniel, which proved that he had no fear of admitting people when he was not alone.