Four good strong wishes, well
managed, ought to last a year. You don't know how to look after your own
interests. I know that her glance would turn the head of a stone saint;
but you should reason with yourself, hang it! Why, there are not ten
girls in Paris who live in such style! And do you think she loves you
any the more for it? Not a bit. When she has ruined you, she'll leave
you in the lurch."
Noel accepted the eloquence of his prudent banker like a man without an
umbrella accepts a shower.
"What is the meaning of all this!" he asked.
"Simply that I will not renew your bills. You understand? Just now, if
you try very hard, you will be able to hand me the twenty-two thousand
francs in question. You need not frown: you will find means to do so to
prevent my seizing your goods,--not here, for that would be absurd, but
at your little woman's apartments. She would not be at all pleased, and
would not hesitate to tell you so."
"But everything there belongs to her; and you have no right--"
"What of that? She will oppose the seizure, no doubt, and I expect her
to do so; but she will make you find the requisite sum. Believe me, you
had best parry the blow.
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