"Take them as low as six per cent," said the umbrella-man humbly.

"Am I a usurer?" asked the perfumer reproachfully.

"What can I do, monsieur? I went to your old clerk, du Tillet, and he
would not take them at any price. No doubt he wanted to find out how
much I'd be willing to lose on them."

"I don't know those signatures," said the perfumer.

"We have such queer names in canes and umbrellas; they belong to the
peddlers."

"Well, I won't say that I will take all; but I'll manage the short
ones."

"For the want of a thousand francs--sure to be repaid in four months
--don't throw me into the hands of the blood-suckers who get the best
of our profits; do take all, monsieur! I do so little in the way of
discount that I have no credit; that is what kills us little
retailers."

"Well, I'll cash your notes; Celestin will make out the account. Be
ready at eleven, will you? There's my architect, Monsieur Grindot,"
said the perfumer, catching sight of the young man, with whom he had
made an appointment at Monsieur de la Billardiere's the night before.

"Contrary to the custom of men of talent you are punctual, monsieur,"
said Cesar, displaying his finest commercial graces. "If punctuality,