Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/335

317 "With much pleasure! I am here, all attention."

"Why," said Danglars, "in the letter I believe I have it about me." Here he felt in his breast-pocket. "Yes, here it is! Well, this letter gives M. le Comte de Monte-Cristo unlimited credit on our house."

"And what is there that requires explaining in that, M. le Baron?"

"Merely the term unlimited—nothing else."

"Is not that word French? The writers, you know, are Anglo-Germans."

"Oh, as for the composition, there is no error; but as regards the competency of the document, I certainly have doubts."

"Is it possible?" asked the count, assuming an air and tone of the utmost simplicity and candor. "Is it possible that Thomson and French are not looked upon as safe? That would make me feel uneasy, having some property in their hands."

"Perfectly safe," replied Danglars, with an almost mocking smile; "but the word unlimited, in financial affairs, is so extremely vague a term—that—that"

"In fact," said Monte-Cristo, "that it is unlimited."

"Precisely what I was about to say," cried Danglars. "Now, what is vague is doubtful; and, says the wise man, 'where there is doubt there is danger!'"

"Meaning to say," rejoined Monte-Cristo, "that however Thomson and French may be inclined to commit acts of imprudence and folly, M. le Baron Danglars is not disposed to follow their example."

"How so, M. le Comte?"

"Simply thus: the banking-house of Thomson and Co. set no bounds to their engagements, while that of M. Danglars has its limits; truly he is wise as the sage he quoted but just now."

"Monsieur!" replied the banker, drawing himself up with a haughty air, "my capital or solvency has never been questioned."

"It seems, then, reserved for me," said Monte-Cristo, coldly, "to be the first to do so."

"By what right, sir?"

"By right of the explanations you have demanded, which certainly imply hesitation."

Danglars bit his lips at this second defeat by an adversary who calmly fought him with his own weapons; his forced politeness sat awkwardly upon him and approached at times almost to impertinence. Monte-Cristo, on the contrary, preserved a graceful demeanor, aided by a certain degree of simplicity he could assume at pleasure, and thus possessed an infinite advantage.

"Well, sir," resumed Danglars, after a brief silence, "I will endeavor to make myself understood by requesting you to inform me for what sum you propose to draw upon me!"