CHAPTER IX.
The next day Duplessis was surprised by a visit from M. Louvier--that
magnate of millionaires had never before set foot in the house of his
younger and less famous rival.
The burly man entered the room with a face much flushed, and with more
than his usual mixture of jovial brusquerie and opulent swagger.
"Startled to see me, I dare say," began Louvier, as soon as the door was
closed. "I have this morning received a communication from your agent
containing a cheque for the interest due to me from M. Rochebriant, and a
formal notice of your intention to pay off the principal on behalf of
that popinjay prodigal. Though we two have not hitherto been the best
friends in the world, I thought it fair to a man in your station to come
to you direct and say, 'Cher confrere, what swindler has bubbled you?
You don't know the real condition of this Breton property, or you would
never so throw away your millions. The property is not worth the
mortgage I have on it by 30,000 louis."
"Then, M. Louvier, you will be 30,000 louis the richer if I take the
mortgage off your hands."
"I can afford the loss--no offence--better than you can; and I may have
fancies which I don't mind paying for, but which cannot influence
another. See, I have brought with me the exact schedule of all details
respecting this property. You need not question their accuracy; they
have been arranged by the Marquis's own agents, M. Gandrin and M. Hebert.
They contain, you will perceive, every possible item of revenue, down to
an apple-tree. Now, look at that, and tell me if you are justified in
lending such a sum on such a property."
"Thank you very much for an interest in my affairs that I scarcely
ventured to expect M. Louvier to entertain; but I see that I have a
duplicate of this paper, furnished to me very honestly by M. Hebert
himself. Besides, I, too, have fancies which I don't mind paying for,
and among them may be a fancy for the lands of Rochebriant."
"Look you, Duplessis, when a man like me asks a favour, you may be sure
that he has the power to repay it. Let me have my whim here, and ask
anything you like from me in return!"
"_Desole_ not to oblige you, but this has become not only a whim of mine,
but a matter of honour; and honour you know, my dear M. Louvier, is the
first principle of sound finance. I have myself, after careful
inspection of the Rochebriant property, volunteered to its owner to
advance the money to pay off your hypotheque; and what would be said on
the Bourse if Lucien Duplessis failed in an obligation?"
"I think I can guess what will one day be said of Lucien Duplessis if he
make an irrevocable enemy of Paul Louvier. _Corbleu_! mon cher, a man of
thrice your capital, who watched every speculation of yours with a
hostile eye, might some _beau jour_ make even you a bankrupt!"
"Forewarned, forearmed!" replied Duplessis, imperturbably, "Fas est ab
hoste doceri,--I mean, 'It is right to be taught by an enemy;' and I
never remember the day when you were otherwise, and yet I am not a
bankrupt, though I receive you in a house which, thanks to you, is so
modest in point of size!"
"Bah! that was a mistake of mine,--and, ha! ha! you had your revenge
there--that forest!"
"Well, as a peace offering, I will give you up the forest, and content my
ambition as a landed proprietor with this bad speculation of
Rochebriant!"
"Confound the forest, I don't care for it now! I can sell my place for
more than it has cost me to one of your imperial favourites. Build a
palace in your forest. Let me have Rochebriant, and name your terms."
"A thousand pardons! but I have already had the honour to inform you,
that I have contracted an obligation which does not allow me to listen to
terms."
As a serpent, that, after all crawlings and windings, rears itself on
end, Louvier rose, crest erect:
"So then it is finished. I came here disposed to offer peace--you
refuse, and declare war."
"Not at all, I do not declare war; I accept it if forced on me."
"Is that your last word, M. Duplessis?"
"Monsieur Louvier, it is."
"Bon jour!"
And Louvier strode to the door; here he paused: "Take a day to
consider."
"Not a moment."
"Your servant, Monsieur,--your very humble servant." Louvier vanished.
Duplessis leaned his large thoughtful forehead on his thin nervous hand.
"This loan will pinch me," he muttered. "I must be very wary now with
such a foe. Well, why should I care to be rich? Valerie's dot,
Valerie's happiness, are secured."
