"Take steps. Do what is necessary. Let him know that I refuse to pay
anything, and that I consider him a scoundrel." A one-sided smile
passed across M. Rodoin's thin face. "Well, well, monsieur le baron, I
don't wonder at your anger, but--at any rate, he shall be met with an
action."
"And let him hear something strong, since the rascal won't give me an
opportunity of saying it to his own face," said Leon, lashing himself
into rage.
"We will leave the law to do that with better effect," returned the
lawyer, calmly. "Meanwhile, with your permission, I have to ask you a
few questions."
Leon rested his elbows on the table, and, sitting with his back to the
light, buried his face in his hands. He might have been trying to
recall the past.
"Go on, monsieur," he said. "But remember that these events took place
six years ago, and more."
"You were in difficulties, monsieur, at the time!"
"As you know very well. Suppose we even allow that I had been
abominably extravagant. Worse than you can imagine, Nathalie; but as
you insisted upon assisting at this interview, you must prepare for
revelations. Poissy was heavily mortgaged, and I was threatened with
foreclosure. Wherever I looked, I saw nothing but disaster; and I vow
it came upon me all at once, in spite of what Monsieur Georges may say
of having tried to tell me. He had a way of telling which would not
have affected a fly. Where was I to turn! Naturally to Monsieur de
Cadanet."
The lawyer had been noting these facts in his note-book. He looked up
here.
"This was in August, 188-, I think, monsieur?"
"Precisely."
"And Monsieur de Cadanet?"
"After a long argument, I succeeded in obtaining from him the sum of two
hundred thousand francs, as a loan."
"In what form, monsieur le baron?"
"In a cheque."
"Drawn in your favour?"
"To bearer, I think," said Leon, slowly. "I believe he expected my
visit, and I may add further that I do not think he had made up his mind
whether it should go to me or to Charles Lemaire."