'Be warned of that, both of you.' 'I understand you to threaten Monsieur le Vicomte Anne,' said the lawyer.
'Do you know, I would not do that.

I am afraid, I am very much afraid, if you were to do as you propose, you might drive me into extremes.' 'You have made me a beggar and a bankrupt,' said Alain.

What extreme is left ?' 'I scarce like to put a name upon it in this company,' replied Romaine.
'But there are worse things than even bankruptcy, and worse places than a debtors' jail.' The words were so significantly said that there went a visible thrill through Alain; sudden as a sword-stroke, he fell pale again.
'I do not understand you,' said he.
'O yes, you do,' returned Romaine.

'I believe you understand me very well.

You must not suppose that all this time, while you were so very busy, others were entirely idle.