"
As Martin Rigal heard her exposition of the state of affairs, he nodded
gravely.
"That is all very well," said he at last, "but this does not make the
security you offer me of any more value. I have more confidence in you."
"But remember, sir, that we have thirty thousand francs' worth of
stock."
"That is not what I was alluding to," and the banker accompanied these
words with so meaning a look, that the poor woman blushed scarlet and
almost lost her nerve. "Your stock," said he, "is of no more value in
my eyes than the bill you offer me. Suppose, for instance, you were to
become bankrupt, the landlord might come down upon everything, for he
has great power."
He broke off abruptly, for Flavia's maid, as a privileged person,
entered the room without knocking.
"Sir," said she, "my mistress wishes to see you at once."
The banker got up directly. "I am coming," said he; then, taking the
hand of his client, he led her to the door, repeating: "Do not worry
yourself; all the difficulties shall be got through. Come again, and we
will talk them over;" and before she could thank him he was half way to
his daughter's apartment. Flavia had summoned her father to show him
a new costume which had just been sent home by Van Klopen, and which
pleased her greatly.
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