"'But----' objected the young man.

"'You can take it or leave it,' continued Gobseck, returning the
jewel-case to the lady as he spoke.

"'I have too many risks to run.'

"'It would be better to throw yourself at your husband's feet,' I
bent to whisper in her ear.

"The usurer doubtless knew what I was saying from the movement of my
lips. He gave me a cool glance. The Count's face grew livid. The
Countess was visibly wavering. Maxime stepped up to her, and, low as
he spoke, I could catch the words:

"'Adieu, dear Anastasie, may you be happy! As for me, by to-morrow my
troubles will be over.'

"'Sir!' cried the lady, turning to Gobseck. 'I accept your offer.'

"'Come, now,' returned Gobseck. 'You have been a long time in coming
to it, my fair lady.'

"He wrote out a cheque for fifty thousand francs on the Bank of
France, and handed it to the Countess.

"'Now,' continued he with a smile, such a smile as you will see in
portraits of M. Voltaire, 'now I will give you the rest of the amount
in bills, thirty thousand francs' worth of paper as good as bullion.
This gentleman here has just said, "My bills will be met when they are