'The Sieur de Marsac's appointment! Ha! ha! Why, man--' 'Enough of it now!' I exclaimed.

And I dare say I writhed on my seat.
'As far as I am concerned the jest is a stale one, sir, and does not amuse me.' 'But it amuses me,' he rejoined with a grin.
'Let it be, nevertheless,' I said; and I think he read a warning in my eyes.

'I have come to speak to you upon another matter.' He did not refuse to listen, but threw one leg over the other, and looking up at the inn-sign began to whistle in a rude, offensive manner.
Still, having an object in view, I controlled myself and continued.

'It is this, my friend: money is not very plentiful at present with either of us.' Before I could say any more he turned on me savagely, and with a loud oath thrust his bloated face, flushed with passion, close to mine.

'Now look here, M.de Marsac!' he cried violently, 'once for all, it is no good! I have not got the money, and I cannot pay it.