Page:Eekhoud - The New Carthage.djvu/241

Rh sweetish voice and with enveloping gestures, about a superlatively splendid (he liked those words) deal that was to make them both rich.

This time he was unlucky.

"I wouldn't ask anything better than to go in on a new deal with you," the man answered; "but first, if you don't mind, we'll settle the little matter of the French bonds. You know what I mean. For three months you have put off paying up that little bagatelle!"

Dupoissy was still smiling as he replied:

"Why, of course! Willingly, my dear fellow!… I was just about to ask you to stop in and see me this evening … I only spoke to you about the new deal because it is closely connected with the one we have just finished;—so closely that we could very easily combine them, I tell you …"

"Excuse me," interrupted the other; "all that isn't necessary. I've had enough of your continual combinations. Before I go in with you on any more deals, I'd like to see the color of your money …"

"Monsieur Vlarding!" exclaimed Dupoissy, giving himself the air of an irreproachable man whose sentiments have been outraged.

"Tut, tut! Don't 'Monsieur Vlarding' me! All that has nothing to do with the matter in hand. You are going to pay me two thousand francs right now, in exchange for this receipt!"

"But, my dear old friend, what a way to act, after all these years of mutual confidence!"

"A truce to your protestations. I have but one word to say to you: pagare, pagare!"

"And I repeat to you that I haven't so much money about me!" muttered Dupoissy in an undertone,