"Do not advance it; the father will never repay it; you do not know these ultramontane millionaires; they are regular misers. And by whom were they recommended to you?"
"Oh, by the house of Fenzi, one of the best in Florence."
"I do not mean to say you will lose, but, nevertheless, mind you hold to the terms of the agreement."
"Would you not trust the Cavalcanti!"
"II oh, I would advance six millions on his signature. I was only speaking in reference to the second-rate fortunes we were mentioning just now."
"And with all this, how plain he is! I should never have taken him for anything more than a mere major."
"And you have nattered him, for certainly, as you say, he has no manner. The first time I saw him he appeared to me like an old lieu tenant who had grown moldy beneath his epaulette. But all the Ital ians are the same; they are like old Jews when they are not glittering in Oriental splendor."
"The young man is better," said Danglars.
"Yes; a little nervous, perhaps, but, upon the whole, he appeared tolerable. I was uneasy about him."
"Why?"
"Because you met him at my house, just after his introduction into the world, as they told me. He has been traveling with a very severe tutor, and had never been to Paris before."
"Ah, I believe Italian noblemen marry amongst themselves, do they not?" asked Danglars, carelessly; "they like to unite their fortunes."
"It is usual, certainly; but Cavalcanti is an original who does nothing like other people. I cannot help thinking he has brought his son to France to choose a wife."
"Do you think so?"
"I am sure of it."
"And you have heard his fortune mentioned?"
"Nothing else was talked of; only some said he was worth millions, and others that he did not possess a cent."
"And what is your opinion!"
"I ought not to influence you, because it is only my own personal impression."
"Well, and it is that"
"My opinion is, that all these old podestats, these ancient condottieri, for the Cavalcanti have commanded armies and governed provinces, my opinion, I say, is, that they have buried their millions in corners,
