Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 5).djvu/138

118 "Madame," said Debray, "it is nearly six months since we have been associated. You furnished a principal of one hundred thousand francs. Our partnership began in the month of April. In May we commenced operations, and in the course of the month gained four hundred and fifty thousand francs. In June the profits amounted to nine hundred thousand. In July we added one million seven hundred thousand francs: it was, you know, the month of the Spanish bonds. In August we lost three hundred thousand francs at the beginning of the month, but on the 13th we made up for it, and we now find that our accounts, reckoning from the first day of partnership up to yesterday, when I closed them, showed a capital of two million four hundred thousand francs, that is, one million two hundred thousand for each of us. Now, madame," said Debray, delivering up his accounts in the methodical manner of a stockbroker, "there are still eighty thousand francs, the interest of this money, in my hands."

"But," said the baroness, "I thought you never put the money out to interest."

"Excuse me, madame," said Debray, coldly, "I had your authority to do so, and I have made use of it. There are, then, forty thousand francs for your share, besides the one hundred thousand you furnished me to begin with, making, in all, one million three hundred and forty thousand francs for your portion. Now, madame, I took the precaution of drawing out your money the day before yesterday: it is not long ago, you see, and it might be said I was suspicious of being called on at any moment to deliver up my accounts. There is your money, half in bank notes, the other half in checks payable to the bearer. I say there, for as I did not consider my house safe enough, nor lawyers sufficiently discreet, and as landed property carries evidence with it, and, moreover, since you have no right to buy or possess anything independent of your husband. I have kept this sum, now your whole fortune, in a chest concealed under that closet, and, for greater security, I myself fastened it in. Now, madame," continued Debray, first opening the closet, then the chest, "now, madame, here are eight hundred notes of one thousand francs each, resembling, as you see, a large book bound in iron; to this I add a dividend of twenty-five thousand francs; then, for the odd cash, making, I think, about one hundred and ten thousand francs, here is a check upon my banker, who not being M. Danglars, will pay you the amount, you may rest assured."

Madame Danglars mechanically took the check, the dividend, and the heap of bank-notes. This enormous fortune made no great appearance on the table. Madame Danglars, with tearless eyes, but with her breast heaving with concealed emotion, placed the bank-notes in her bag,