“If that is so, I must beg you, grandpapa, to give me twenty thousand
francs in coupon-bonds.”
The old gentleman started.
“You are joking,” he said. “What do you want with so much money? You are
surely joking.”
“Not at all. I have never in my life been more serious,” replied the
young girl in a tone of voice which could not be mistaken. “I beseech
you, grandpapa, if you love me, give me these twenty thousand francs
this evening, right now. You hesitate? O God! You may kill me if you
refuse.”
No, M. de Chandore was hesitating no longer.
“Since you will have it so,” he said, “I am going up stairs to get it.”
She clapped her hands with joy.
“That’s it,” she said. “Make haste and dress; for I have to go out, and
you must go with me.”