You may abuse me
as much as you please,--and George too, if it will do you any good.
There have been mistakes made, and we owe you something.'
'By heavens, yes; you do.'
'But you sha'n't take it out in saying anything against Marie
Bromar,--not in my hearing.'
'Why;--what will you do?'
'Don't drive me to do anything, M. Urmand. If there is any
compensation possible--'
'Of course there must be compensation.'
'What is it you will take? Is it money?'
'Money;--no. As for money, I'm better off than any of you.'
'What is it, then? You don't want the girl herself?'
'No;--certainly not. I would not take her if she came and knelt to
me.'
'What can we do, then? If you will only say.'
'I want--I want--I don't know what I want. I have been cruelly ill-
used, and made a fool of before everybody. I never heard of such a
case before;--never. And I have been so generous and honest to you!
I did not ask for a franc of dot; and now you come and offer me
money. I don't think any man ever was so badly used anywhere.
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