"Do all my repeated assurances count as nothing ?" "We do not want promises now; what we do want is good faith and real co-operation." "Can it be that you--" "I ought to inform you," continued Mascarin, unheeding the interruption, "that we have every prospect of success; and, if we carry the matter through, we shall certainly have a million apiece." Hortebise had not the calm patience of his confederate, and exclaimed,-- "You understand it well enough.

Say Yes or No." Catenac was in the agonies of indecision, and for fully a minute made no reply.
"_No_, then!" he broke out in a manner which betrayed his intense agitation.

"After due consideration, and having carefully weighed the chances for and against, I answer you decidedly, No." Mascarin and Hortebise evidently expected this reply, and exchanged glances.
"Permit me to explain," said Catenac, "what you consider as a cowardly withdrawal upon my part--" "Call it treachery." "I will not quibble about words.

I wish to be perfectly straightforward with you." "I am glad to hear it," sneered the doctor, "though that is not your usual form." "And yet I do not think that I have ever concealed my real opinion from you.

It is fully ten years ago since I spoke to you of the necessity of breaking up this association.