But all at once she perceived Savinien, who was waiting to show himself now that she had finished. The mistress turned sharply to the young man, and frowned slightly:
“Hallo! you are there, eh? How is it that you could leave your fair friends?”
“But, aunt, I came to pay you my respects.”
“No nonsense now; I’ve no time,” interrupted the mistress. “What do you want?”
Savinien, disconcerted by this rude reception, blinked his eyes, as if seeking some form to give his request; then, making up his mind, he said:
“You on business?” replied Madame Desvarennes, with a shade of astonishment and irony.
“Yes, aunt, on business,” declared Savinien, looking down as if he expected a rebuff.
“Oh, oh, oh!” said Madame Desvarennes, “you know our agreement; I give you an allowance--”
“I renounce my income,” interrupted Savinien, quickly, “I wish to take back my independence. The transfer I made has already cost me too dear. It’s a fool’s bargain. The enterprise which I am going to launch is superb, and must realize immense profits. I shall certainly not abandon it.”
While speaking, Savinien had become animated and had regained his self-possession. He believed in his scheme, and was ready to pledge his future. He argued that his aunt could not blame him for giving proof of his energy and daring, and he discoursed in bombastic style.
“That’s enough!” cried Madame Desvarennes, interrupting her nephew’s oration. “I am very fond of mills, but not word-mills. You are talking too much about it to be sincere. So many words can only serve to disguise the nullity of your projects. You want to embark in speculation? With what money?”
“I contribute the scheme and some capitalists will advance the money to start with; we shall then issue shares!”
“Never in this life! I oppose it. You! With a responsibility. You! Directing an undertaking. You would only commit absurdities. In fact, you want to sell an idea, eh? Well, I will buy it.”
“It is not only the money I want,” said Savinien, with an indignant air, “it is confidence in my ideas, it is enthusiasm on the part of my shareholders, it is success. You don’t believe in my ideas, aunt!”
“What does it matter to you, if I buy them from you? It seems to me a pretty good proof of confidence. Is that settled?”