"I caught, by chance, yesterday evening, some words between my husband
and Laroche-Mathieu. They do not, besides, trouble themselves to hide
much from me. But Walter recommended the Minister not to let you into
the secret, as you would reveal everything."
Du Roy had put his hat down on a chair, and was waiting very
attentively.
"What is up, then?" said he.
"They are going to take possession of Morocco."
"Nonsense! I lunched with Laroche-Mathieu, who almost dictated to me the
intention of the Cabinet."
"No, darling, they are humbugging you, because they were afraid lest
their plan should be known."
"Sit down," said George, and sat down himself in an armchair. Then she
drew towards him a low stool, and sitting down on it between his knees,
went on in a coaxing tone, "As I am always thinking about you, I pay
attention now to everything that is whispered around me."
And she began quietly to explain to him how she had guessed for some
time past that something was being hatched unknown to him; that they
were making use of him, while dreading his co-operation. She said, "You
know, when one is in love, one grows cunning."
At length, the day before, she had understood it all. It was a business
transaction, a thumping affair, worked out on the quiet. She smiled now,
happy in her dexterity, and grew excited, speaking like a financier's
wife accustomed to see the market rigged, used to rises and falls that
ruin, in two hours of speculation, thousands of little folk who have
placed their savings in undertakings guaranteed by the names of men
honored and respected in the world of politics of finance.
She repeated, "Oh, it is very smart what they have been up to! Very
smart. It was Walter who did it all, though, and he knows all about such
things. Really, it is a first-class job."
He grew impatient at these preliminaries, and exclaimed, "Come, tell me
what it is at once."
"Well, then, this is what it is. The Tangiers expedition was decided
upon between them on the day that Laroche-Mathieu took the ministry of
foreign affairs, and little by little they have bought up the whole of
the Morocco loan, which had fallen to sixty-four or sixty-five francs.
They have bought it up very cleverly by means of shady brokers, who did
not awaken any mistrust. They have even sold the Rothschilds, who grew
astonished to find Morocco stock always asked for, and who were
astonished by having agents pointed out to them--all lame ducks. That
quieted the big financiers. And now the expedition is to take place, and
as soon as we are there the French Government will guarantee the debt.
Our friends will gain fifty or sixty millions. You understand the
matter? You understand, too, how afraid they have been of everyone, of
the slightest indiscretion?"
She had leaned her head against the young fellow's waistcoat, and with
her arms resting on his legs, pressed up against him, feeling that she
was interesting him now, and ready to do anything for a caress, for a
smile.
"You are quite certain?" he asked.
"I should think so," she replied, with confidence.
"It is very smart indeed. As to that swine of a Laroche-Mathieu, just
see if I don't pay him out one of these days. Oh, the scoundrel, just
let him look out for himself! He shall go through my hands." Then he
began to reflect, and went on, "We ought, though, to profit by all
this."
"You can still buy some of the loan," said she; "it is only at
seventy-two francs."