"
"Like the light in the window for the unreturning sailor," somewhat
cynically remarked the Big Financier. "Did many come to the Manor on that
New Year's Day?"
"But yes, many, monsieur. Some came from kindness, and some because they
were curious--"
"And Monsieur Dolores?"
The lips of the Clerk of the Court curled, "He went about with a manner
as soft as that of a young cure. Butter would not melt in his mouth. Some
of the women were sorry for him, until they knew he had given one of Jean
Jacques' best bear-skin rugs to Madame Palass Poucette for a New Year's
gift."
The Big Financier laughed cheerfully. "It's an old way to
popularity--being generous with other people's money. That is why I am
here. The people that spend your Jean Jacques' money will be spending
mine too, if I don't take care."
M. Fille noted the hard look which now settled in M. Mornay's face, and
it disturbed him. He rose and leaned over the table towards his visitor
anxiously.
"Tell me, if you please, monsieur, is there any real and immediate danger
of the financial collapse of Jean Jacques?"
The other regarded M. Fille with a look of consideration. He liked this
Clerk of the Court, but he liked Jean Jacques for the matter of that, and
away now from the big financial arena where he usually worked, his
natural instincts had play. He had come to St.
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