A heartless usurer would thus coin money out of the touching farewell of the shipwrecked mariner.

Sylvius Hogg could not bear the thought.

It was intolerable to him.
He resolved to have a talk with Dame Hansen on the subject that very day.

This conversation could effect no change in the state of affairs, but it had become almost necessary.
"So you think I did wrong, Monsieur Hogg ?" she asked, after allowing the professor to say all he had to say on the subject.
"Certainly, Dame Hansen." "If you blame me for having engaged in rash speculations, and for endangering the fortune of my children, you are perfectly right; but if you blame me for having resorted to the means I did to free myself, you are wrong.

What have you to say in reply ?" "Nothing." "But seriously, do you think that I ought to have refused the offer of Sandgoist, who really offered fifteen thousand marks for a ticket that is probably worth nothing; I ask you again, do you think I ought to have refused it ?" "Yes and no, Dame Hansen." "It can not be both yes and no, professor; it is no.