has gained me the confidence of the hospitals, and the five millions and a half belong to the hospitals; at any other time I should not have hesitated to make use of them, but the great losses I have recently sustained are well known, and, as I told you, my credit is rather shaken. That deposit may be at any moment withdrawn, and if I had employed it for another purpose, I should bring on me a disgraceful bankruptcy. I do not despise bankruptcies, believe me, but they must be those which enrich, and not those which ruin. Now, if you marry M. Cavalcanti, and I touch the three millions, or even if it is thought I am going to touch them, my credit will be restored, and my fortune, which for the last month or two has been swallowed up in gulfs which have been opened in my path by an inconceivable fatality, will revive. Do you understand me?"
"Perfectly; you pledge me for three millions, do you not?"
"The greater the amount, the more flattering it is to you; it gives you an idea of your value."
"Thank you. One word more, sir; do you promise me to make what use you can of the report of the fortune of M. Cavalcanti will bring, without touching the sum? This is no act of selfishness, but of honesty. I am willing to help rebuild your fortune: but I will not be an accomplice in the ruin of others."
"But since I tell you," cried Danglars, "that with these three millions"
"Do you expect to recover your position, sir, without touching those three millions?"
"I hope so, if the marriage should take place and confirm my credit."
"Shall you be able to pay M. Cavalcanti the five hundred thousand francs you promise for my dowry?"
"He shall receive them on returning from the town-hall."
"Well!"
"What next? what more do you want?"
"I wish to know if, in demanding my signature, you leave me entirely free in my person?"
"Absolutely!"
"Then, well, as I said before, sir, I am ready to marry M. Cavalcanti."
"But what are your projects?"
"Ah, that is my secret. What advantage should I have over you, if, knowing your secret, I were to tell you mine?"
Danglars bit his lips. "Then," said he, "you are ready to pay the formal visits, which are absolutely indispensable?"
"Yes," replied Eugénie.
"And to sign the contract in three days?"
"Yes."
