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Updated: April 30, 2025
"I have no doubt of it, my poor Louis," said Saint-Herem sympathizingly, "for to place yourself in the clutches of such a rascal as Porquin, is to sell yourself to the devil! But tell me what has happened? You have always been good and industrious, I know, but you may have contracted some debt or committed some slight folly. What may seem enormous to you, may be only a trifle to me.
Then, turning to the crushed usurer, he added in a tone that admitted of no retort: "Monsieur Porquin, this is the second time I am forced to forbid you to address me as "your dear fellow."
"My dear Louis, one might think you had made some unfortunate discovery. What is it? Are you unhappy? and why, pray?" "Ah! my friend, don't scoff at me. I love, and have been deceived." "You have a rival?" "And that rival is this wretch!" "Porquin? nonsense; what makes you imagine such an absurdity?" "I had some suspicions, and then he assured me he had been accepted."
"Come, Florestan, let us go," interrupted Louis, "this room stifles me." "My dear Porquin," remarked Saint-Herem, as he followed his friend to the door, "as you see, there are still honest sons and daughters living.
"When I need your services I pay for them; and as I know your unscrupulous character, it is my duty to warn M. Richard, whose friend I have the honor to be. You are doubtless trying to entice him into your net." "Ah! this is the reward I get for my services!" cried M. Porquin, bitterly. "I reveal a secret of the highest importance to your friend, and "
With me it is a different matter; I have bought and paid for the right of calling you my dear, my enormously dear, my too dear Monsieur Porquin, for you have swindled me outrageously and cost me a good round sum!" "Sir, I will not suffer this!" cried the wrathful usurer. "Whence comes this timid sensitiveness on the part of M. Porquin?" asked Florestan, derisively. "What has happened? Ah! I see.
Now, my worthy commander, will you do me the pleasure to speak the truth? If not, I shall know how to deal with you." "I deeply regret having jested on a subject which seems to annoy M. Richard," responded Porquin, deeming it better policy to sacrifice a fancy which stood little chance of being gratified, than to run the risk of losing so promising a client as Louis.
Or, rather, I will tell you now. I must have two hundred louis this evening. Here are the securities; examine them at your leisure." Drawing a bundle of papers from his pocket, he tossed them carelessly toward the usurer and left the room with his friend. The haughty brutality with which Florestan had unmasked Porquin had proved a new blow to Louis Richard.
"Your jests are entirely out of place!" cried the usurer, flushing angrily, "and I will not endure them in my own house, Monsieur de Saint-Herem! Indeed I will not, my dear fellow." "His name is Jerome Porquin, my dear Louis," sneered Saint-Herem, "and it seems admirably chosen, does it not?"
"Enough, sir! enough!" cried Louis indignantly. "Permit me to add, my dear client," resumed Porquin, imperturbably, "that the said godmother refused my offers point-blank, and that Mademoiselle Mariette indignantly showed me the door. As you see, I am perfectly frank, and hope this sincere avowal will win me the confidence of M. Richard, who will not fail to accept my services.
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