United States or Wallis and Futuna ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Shall we tell him the whole thing?" asked Gobseck, whispering to Gigonnet. "Mitral is one of us; he wouldn't play a shabby trick on his former customers," replied Gigonnet. "You see, Mitral," he went on, speaking to the ex-sheriff in a low voice, "we three have just bought up all those debts, the payment of which depends on the decision of the liquidation committee."
Europe, detecting a packet of soft consistency, betraying the contents to be banknotes, under her mistress' pillow, proceeded at once to "lay her out," as she said. "Go and tell monsieur, Asie! Oh, to die before she knew that she had seven millions! Gobseck was poor madame's uncle!" said she. Europe's stratagem was understood by Paccard.
They say he plays dominoes there every night with his friend Monsieur Gobseck. I don't wish to go to such a place alone; my uncle Mitral will take me there and bring me back." At this instant Mitral showed his yellow face, surmounted by a wig which looked as though it might be made of hay, and made a sign to his niece to come at once, and not keep a carriage waiting at two francs an hour.
"We knew eight days ago a fact that without us you would not have known till to-morrow morning. The president of the chamber of commerce, a deputy, as you know, feels himself obliged to resign." Des Lupeaulx's eyes dilated, and were as big as daisies. "Your minister has been tricking you about this event," said the concise Gobseck.
And he dictated as follows: "It has been ascertained that the Demoiselle Esther Gobseck killed herself of her own free will. "Monsieur Lucien de Rubempre satisfactorily proved an alibi, and his innocence leaves his arrest to be regretted, all the more because just as the examining judge had given the order for his release the young gentleman died suddenly."
A very few words will serve to explain this sudden arrival of Gigonnet and Gobseck on the field of battle, for des Lupeaulx found them both waiting. At eight o'clock that evening, Martin Falleix, returning on the wings of the wind, thanks to three francs to the postboys and a courier in advance, had brought back with him the deeds of the property signed the night before.
"And this is all?" exclaimed des Lupeaulx. "All," said Gobseck. "You agree?" asked Gigonnet. Des Lupeaulx nodded his head. "Well, then, sign this power of attorney. Within two days Baudoyer is to be nominated; within six your debts will be cleared off, and " "And what?" asked des Lupeaulx. "We guarantee " "Guarantee! what?" said the secretary, more and more astonished.
"I'm not bound to care for my neighbors' misfortunes. My principle is never to be off my guard with friends or relatives; you can't perish except through weakness. Apply to Gobseck; he is softer." The usurers all applauded these doctrines with a shake of their metallic heads. An onlooker would have fancied he heard the creaking of ill-oiled machinery.
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.
"He is one of Gigonnet's lambs, a spy for Palma, Werbrust, Gobseck, and the rest of those crocodiles who swim in the Paris money-market. Every man with a fortune to make, or unmake, is sure to come across one of them sooner or later." "If you cannot discount your bills at fifty per cent," remarked Lousteau, "you must exchange them for hard cash." "How?"