True, it would rescue him from this and other impending difficulties, but, of course, it was out of the question.

The man who proposed it was so absurd a being, that it was of no use even to be angry with him.

But the baron's word was pledged, and the matter could not be thought of further.
And yet how trifling the risk! The documents would remain at Ehrenthal's till the Polish count had paid him, then he would clear his own debts to Ehrenthal, and release his documents.

No one need ever know of it; and if the worst should befall, he had but to give Ehrenthal another mortgage on his property, and the money-broker would be equally satisfied.

The baron kept banishing the thought, and yet it ceaselessly returned.