I have no doubt he is concerned; I ought to answer him." "Go, my friend," she said; "but be back early." I went straight to Prudence.
"Come," said I, without beating about the bush, "tell me frankly, where are Marguerite's horses ?" "Sold." "The shawl ?" "Sold." "The diamonds ?" "Pawned." "And who has sold and pawned them ?" "Why did you not tell me ?" "Because Marguerite made me promise not to." "And why did you not ask me for money ?" "Because she wouldn't let me." "And where has this money gone ?" "In payments." "Is she much in debt ?" "Thirty thousand francs, or thereabouts.

Ah, my dear fellow, didn't I tell you?
You wouldn't believe me; now you are convinced.

The upholsterer whom the duke had agreed to settle with was shown out of the house when he presented himself, and the duke wrote next day to say that he would answer for nothing in regard to Mlle.Gautier.This man wanted his money; he was given part payment out of the few thousand francs that I got from you; then some kind souls warned him that his debtor had been abandoned by the duke and was living with a penniless young man; the other creditors were told the same; they asked for their money, and seized some of the goods.

Marguerite wanted to sell everything, but it was too late, and besides I should have opposed it.

But it was necessary to pay, and in order not to ask you for money, she sold her horses and her shawls, and pawned her jewels.