He may have carried these virtues to imprudence and even to madness; but he deserved a better fate." "And now, sir," said Gustave, "I want you to let me know, with the least amount of details possible, what I can do to assist De Vlierbeck without wounding his pride.

I know the condition of his affairs; for my uncle told me all about them.

Among other debts there was a bond for four thousand francs, which belongs to the heirs of Hoogebaen: I want that bond _immediately_, even if I have to pay four times as much as it is worth." The notary stared at Gustave without replying.
"You seem disconcerted by my demand," said Gustave, somewhat anxiously.
"Not exactly," returned the notary; "but I do not altogether understand your emotion, although I fear the news I must impart will affect you painfully.

If my anticipations are correct I have cause to be sorry for you, sir!" "Explain yourself," cried Gustave, alarmed; "explain yourself, sir! Has death been at Grinselhof?
Is my last hope destroyed ?" "No, no," replied the notary, quickly; "don't tremble so; they both live, but they have been stricken by a great misfortune." "Well?
well ?" exclaimed Gustave, with questioning eagerness, rising from his chair.
"Be calm, be calm, sir," said the notary, soothingly; "sit down and listen; it is not so terrible as you may perhaps think, since fortune enables you to soften their misery." "Oh, God be thanked!" cried Gustave.

"But let me beg you to hasten your disclosures, for your slowness racks me!" "Know, then," continued the notary, "that during your absence the bond in question fell due.