Under the present stroke he had since yesterday forgotten the money troubles from which he knew not how to escape.

Despite formal promises to the contrary, the bill for a hundred thousand francs had been put in circulation after being once renewed, and Labordette, pretending to be very miserable about it, threw all the blame on Francis, declaring that he would never again mix himself up in such a matter with an uneducated man.

It was necessary to pay, for the count would never have allowed his signature to be protested.

Then in addition to Nana's novel demands, his home expenses were extraordinarily confused.

On their return from Les Fondettes the countess had suddenly manifested a taste for luxury, a longing for worldly pleasures, which was devouring their fortune.