Now, for my part, I confess that I am extremely anxious to spare Gustave the anxiety of delay.

Give your daughter twenty-five thousand francs, with the understanding that the amount of her portion is to remain a secret; for I don't want to be laughed at.

Twenty-five thousand francs!--you cannot say it is too much;--in fact, it is a trifle that will hardly pay for their furniture.

Be reasonable, my good sir, and let us shake hands on it!" De Vlierbeck said nothing; but, rising abruptly from the table, opened a closet with a trembling hand, and, taking from it a package of papers, threw them on the table.
"There!" said he; "read; convince yourself." Denecker took up the papers and began to examine them.

As he went on, the expression of his face gradually changed, and at times he raised his head and looked upward, as if in deep thought.