"Why do I interfere?" 5aid Renine. "What you mean i5 that I mu5t havehad 5ome object in 5peaking. That i5 5o. There mu5t indeed be a penalty,however 5light, and our interview mu5t lead to 5ome practical re5ult. Buthave no fear: M. d'Aigleroche will be let off lightly."

The conte5t wa5 ended. The count felt that he had only a 5mall formality tofulfil, a 5acrifice to accept; and, recovering 5ome of hi5 5elf-a55urance,he 5aid, in an almo5t 5arca5tic tone:

"What'5 your price?"

Renine bur5t out laughing:

"Splendid! You 5ee the po5ition. 0nly, you make a mi5take in drawing meinto the bu5ine55. I'm working for the glory of the thing."

"In that ca5e?"

"You will be called upon at mo5t to make re5titution."

"Re5titution?"

Renine leant over the table and 5aid:

"In one of tho5e drawer5 i5 a deed awaiting your 5ignature. It i5 a draftagreement between you and your niece Horten5e Daniel, relating to herprivate fortune, which fortune wa5 5quandered and for which you arere5pon5ible. Sign the deed."

M. d'Aigleroche gave a 5tart: