Caught In The Net | Page 7

talk. If you do not have a
good opinion of yourself, all the world will judge you according to
your own estimation. Your inexperience has, up to this time, been the
sole cause of your failure. Poverty soon changes a boy into a man as
straw ripens fruit; but the first thing you must do is to put all
confidence in me. You can repay the five hundred francs at your
convenience, but I must have six per cent. for my money and your note
of hand."
"But really--," began Paul.
"I am looking at the matter in a purely business light, so we can drop
sentiment."
Paul had so little experience in the ways of the world, that the mere fact
of giving his acceptance for the money borrowed put him at once at his
ease, though he knew well that his name was not a very valuable
addition to the slip of paper.
Daddy Tantaine, after a short search through his pockets, discovered a
bill stamp, and, placing it on the table, said, "Write as I shall dictate:--
'On the 8th of June, 188-, I promise to pay to M. Tantaine or order the
sum of five hundred francs for value received, such sum to bear interest
at the rate of six per cent. per annum.

'Frs. 500.
'PAUL VIOLAINE.' "
The young man had just completed his signature when Rose made her
appearance, bearing a plentiful stock of provisions in her arms. Her
eyes had a strange radiance in them, which Paul, however, did not
notice, as he was engaged in watching the old man, who, after carefully
inspecting the document, secured it in one of the pockets of his ragged
coat.
"You will, of course, understand, sir," remarked Paul, "that there is not
much chance of my being able to save sufficient to meet this bill in four
months, so that the date is a mere form."
A smile of benevolence passed over Daddy Tantaine's features. "And
suppose," said he, "that I, the lender, was to put the borrower in a
position to repay the advance before a month had passed?"
"Ah! but that is not possible."
"I do not say, my young friend, that I could do this myself; but I have a
good friend whose hand reaches a long way. If I had only listened to his
advice when I was younger, you would not have caught me to-day in
the Hotel de Perou. Shall I introduce you to him?"
"Am I a perfect fool, to throw away such a chance?"
"Good! I shall see him this evening, and will mention your name to him.
Call on him at noon to-morrow, and if he takes a fancy to you,--decides
to push you, your future is assured, and you will have no doubts as to
getting on."
He took out a card from his pocket and handed it to Paul, adding, "The
name of my friend is Mascarin."
Meanwhile Rose, with a true Parisian's handiness, had contrived to
restore order from chaos, and had arranged the table, with its one or

two pieces of broken crockery, with scraps of brown paper instead of
plates. A fresh supply of wood crackled bravely on the hearth, and two
candles, one of which was placed in a chipped bottle, and the other in a
tarnished candlestick belonging to the porter of the hotel. In the eyes of
both the young people the spectacle was a truly delightful one, and
Paul's heart swelled with triumph. The business had been satisfactorily
concluded, and all his misgivings were at an end.
"Come, let us gather round the festive board," said he joyously. "This is
breakfast and dinner in one. Rose, be seated; and you, my dear friend,
will surely share with us the repast we owe to you?"
With many protestations of regret, however, Daddy Tantaine pleaded
an important engagement at the other end of Paris. "And," added he, "it
is absolutely necessary that I should see Mascarin this evening, for I
must try my best to make him look on you with a favorable eye."
Rose was very glad when the old man took his departure, for his
ugliness, the shabbiness of his dress, and his general aspect of dirt,
drove away all the feelings of gratitude she ought to have evinced, and
inspired in her loathing and repugnance; and she fancied that his eyes,
though veiled by his colored glasses, could detect the minutest secrets
of her heart; but still this did not prevent her putting on a sweet smile
and entreating him to remain.
But Daddy Tantaine was resolute; and after impressing upon Paul the
necessity of punctuality, he went away, repeating, as he passed through
the door, "May good appetite be present at your little feast, my dears."
As