Really we ought to be deeply grateful to you, but----" Mascarin paused for a moment; then settling his spectacles more firmly, he went on,-- "But even if you were to give us what you propose, you would still have eleven hundred thousand francs remaining!" Catenac burst into a pleasant laugh.

"You are jesting," said he.
"I can prove the correctness of my assertion;" and as he spoke, Mascarin unlocked a drawer, and taking a small notebook from it, turned over the pages, and leaving it open at a certain place, handed it to the lawyer.
"There," said he, "that is made up to December last, and shows precisely how you stand financially.

Twice, then, you have increased your funds.
These deposits you will find in an addenda at the end of the book." Catenac started to his feet; all his calmness had now disappeared.
"Yes," he said, "I have just the sum you name; and I, for that very reason, refuse to have anything further to do with your schemes.

I have an income of sixty thousand francs; that is to say, sixty thousand good reasons for receiving no further risks.

You envy me my good fortune, but did we not all start penniless?
I have taken care of my money, while you have squandered yours.