Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 3).djvu/244

224 the harbor at Havre, that this ship brought news that a payment we had looked upon as lost was going to be made. I know how clear sighted your dreams are; I therefore purchased immediately as many shares as I could of the Haytian debt, and I gained four hundred thou sand francs by it, of which one hundred thousand have been honestly paid to you. You spent it as you pleased, that was your business. In March there was a question about a grant to a railway. Three companies presented themselves, each offering equal securities. You told me that your instinct,—and although you pretended to know nothing about speculations, I think, on the contrary, that your comprehension is very clear upon certain affairs,—well, you told me that your instinct led you to believe the grant would be given to the company called the Southern. I bought two-thirds of the shares of that company; as you had foreseen, the shares became of triple value, and I picked up a million, from which two hundred and fifty thousand francs were paid to you for pin-money. How have you spent this two hundred and fifty thousand francs?—it is no business of mine."

"When are you coming to the point?" cried the baroness, shivering with anger and impatience.

"Patience, madame, I am coming to it."

"That's fortunate!"

"In April you went to dine at the minister's. You heard a private conversation respecting the affairs of Spain—on the expulsion of Don Carlos. I bought some Spanish shares. The expulsion took place, and I pocketed six hundred thousand francs the day Charles V. repassed the Bidassoa. Of these six hundred thousand francs you took fifty thousand crowns. They were yours, you disposed of them according to your fancy, and I asked no questions; but it is not the less true that you have this year received five hundred thousand livres."

"Well, sir, and what then?"

"Ah, yes, it was just after this that you spoiled everything!"

"Really, your manner of speaking"

"It expresses my meaning, and that is all I want. Well, three days after that you talked politics with M. Debray, and you fancied from his words that Don Carlos had returned to Spain. Well, I sold my shares, the news was spread, and I no longer sold but gave them; next day I find the news was false, and by this false report I have lost seven hundred thousand francs."

"Well!"

"Well, since I gave you a fourth of my gains, I think you owe me a fourth of my losses; the fourth of seven hundred thousand francs is one hundred and seventy-five thousand francs."