Tell a Greek who is dying of hunger to go to heaven and he will go Graeculus esuriens in coelum, jusseris, ibit." "But I do not see that you have started for heaven." A smile of derision, accompanied by a grimace, crossed Caffies face.
Before becoming the usurer of the Rue Sainte-Anne, whom every one called a rascal, he had been attorney in the country, deputy judge, and if unmerited evils had obliged him to resign and to hide the unpleasant circumstances in Paris, he never lost an opportunity to prove that by education he was far above his present position.

Finding this new client a man of learning, he was glad to make quotations that he thought would make him worthy of consideration.
"It is, perhaps, because I am not Greek," Saniel replied; "but I am an Auvergnat, and the men of my country have great physical strength." Caffie shook his head.
"My dear sir," he said, "I might as well tell you frankly that I do not believe the thing can be done.

I would do it myself willingly, because I read intelligence in your face, and resolution in your whole person, which inspire me with confidence in you; but I have no money to put into such speculations.

I can only be, as usual, a go-between--that is to say, I can propose the loan to one of my clients, but I do not know one who would be contented with the guarantee of a future that is more or less uncertain.

There are so many doctors in Paris who are in your position." Saniel rose.
"Are you going ?" cried Caffie.
"But--" "Sit down, my dear sir! It is no use to throw the handle after the axe.
You make me a proposition, and I show you the difficulties in the way, but I do not say there is no way to extricate you from embarrassment.