him this year; while he smiles to himself, saying that he has found that which the most skillful players have never discovered that is, a roulette, where he wins without playing, and is no loser when he loses."
The baroness became enraged.
"Wretch!" she cried, "will you dare to tell me you did not know that with which you now reproach me?"
"I do not say that I did know it, and I do not say that I did not know it. I merely tell you to look into my conduct during the last four years that we have ceased to be husband and wife, and see whether it has not always been consistent. Some time after our rupture, you wished to study music under the celebrated baritone who made such a successful début at the Theatre Italien; at the same time I felt inclined to learn dancing of the danseuse who acquired such a reputation in London. This cost me, on your account and mine, one hundred thousand francs. I said nothing, for we must have peace in the house; and one hundred thousand francs for a lady and gentleman to be properly instructed in music and dancing are not too much. Well, you soon become tired of singing, and you take a fancy to study diplomacy with the minister's secretary. You understand; it signifies nothing to me so long as you pay for your lessons out of your own cash-box. But to-day I find you are drawing on mine, and that your apprenticeship may cost me seven hundred thousand francs per month. Stop there, madame! for this cannot last. Either the diplomatist must give his lessons gratis, and I will tolerate him, or he must never again set his foot in my house; do you understand, madame?"
"Oh, this is too much!" cried Hermine, choking; "you are worse than despicable."
"But," continued Danglars, "I find you did not even pause there"
"Insults!"
"You are right; let us be precise about our facts, and reason coolly. I have never interfered in your affairs, excepting for your good; treat me in the same way. You say you have nothing to do with my cash-box. Be it so. Do as you like with your own, but do not fill or empty mine. Besides, how do I know that this was not a political trick; that the minister, enraged at seeing me in the opposition, and jealous of the popular sympathy I excite, has not concerted with M. Debray to ruin me?"
"A probable thing!"
"Why not! Who ever heard of such an occurrence as this?—a false telegraphic dispatch—it is almost impossible for signals to have been made different to those of the two last telegrams. It was done on purpose for me, I am sure of it."
