Madame de Nucingen was not yet up; but anxious not to keep a woman of the countess's position waiting, she hastily threw on a shawl and wrapper.
"My visit concerns a charitable action, madame," said the countess, "or I would not disturb you at so early an hour." "But I am only too happy to be disturbed," said the banker's wife, taking the notes and the countess's guarantee.

She rang for her maid.
"Therese," she said, "tell the cashier to bring me up himself, immediately, forty thousand francs." Then she locked into a table drawer the guarantee given by Madame de Vandenesse, after sealing it up.
"You have a delightful room," said the countess.
"Yes, but Monsieur de Nucingen is going to take it from me.

He is building a new house." "You will doubtless give this one to your daughter, who, I am told, is to marry Monsieur de Rastignac." The cashier appeared at this moment with the money.

Madame de Nucingen took the bank-bills and gave him the notes of hand.
"That balances," she said.
"Except the discount," replied the cashier.

"Ha, Schmucke; that's the musician of Anspach," he added, examining the signatures in a suspicious manner that made the countess tremble.
"Who is doing this business ?" said Madame de Nucingen, with a haughty glance at the cashier.