Nathan followed this advice and obtained thereby twenty thousand francs, which reduced his debt to forty thousand.
On the 10th of February the twenty-five days expired.

Du Tillet, who did not want Nathan as a rival before the electoral college, where he meant to appear himself, instigated Gigonnet to sue Nathan without compromise.
A man locked up for debt could not present himself as a candidate for election.

Florine was herself in communication with the sheriff on the subject of her personal debts, and no resource was left to her but the "I" of Medea, for her new furniture and belongings were now attached.
The ambitious Raoul heard the cracking in all directions of his prosperous edifice, built, alas! without foundations.

His nerve failed him; too weak already to sustain so vast an enterprise, he felt himself incapable of attempting to build it up again; he was fated to perish in its ashes.

Love for the countess gave him still a few thrills of life; his mask brightened for a moment, but behind it hope was dead.