on his lip when he saw the Marquis accede with a bow
and wave of the hand to Thorpe's proposition. Then he
made his bow in turn, and put the best face possible upon
the matter.

"Naturally I consult your convenience--and the proprieties,
"he said, with an effect of proud humility. "There are but
a few other facts to submit. My nephew has already paid,
in differences upon those accursed two thousand shares,
a sum of nearly 30,000 pounds. I have the figures
in my pocket--but they are fixed in my head as well.
Twenty-eight thousand five hundred, those differences
already amount to, not to speak of interest.
At the last settlement, August 1st, the price per share
was 15 pounds. That would make 30,000 pounds more,
if we bought now--or a total of practically 60,000 pounds.
Eh bien! I beg for the privilege of being allowed to buy
these shares now. It is an unpleasant confession to make,
but the firm of Fromentin Freres will be made very poor
by this loss of 60,000 pounds. It was not always so,
but it is so now. My nephew Robert has brought it into
that condition. You see my shame at this admission.
With all my own means, and with his sister's marriage portion,
we can make up this sum of 30,000 pounds, and still enable
the firm to remain in existence. I have gone over the
books very painstakingly, since I arrived in London.
It can be kept afloat, and it can be brought back
to safe and moderately profitable courses--if nothing
worse happens. With another six weeks like the last,
this will not be at all possible. We shall have the cup