I was forced to part with them.

I wanted money, and so had to discount them." Andre was not at all surprised, for he had anticipated some such difficulty; and seeing that Gaston had entirely lost his head, he broke in on the conversation.
"Excuse me, sir," remarked he; "but it seems to me that there are certain circumstances in this case which should have made you keep your promise." Verminet stared at him.
"Who have I the honor of speaking to ?" asked he, instead of making a direct reply.
"I am a friend of M.de Gandelu's," returned Andre, thinking it best not to give any name.
"A confidential friend ?" "Entirely so.

He had, I think, ten thousand francs from you." "Pardon me, five thousand." Andre turned toward his companion in some surprise.
Gaston grew crimson.
"What is the meaning of this ?" asked the artist.
"Can't you see ?" whispered Gaston.

"I had ten because I wanted the other five for Zora." "Oh, indeed," returned Andre, with a slight uplifting of his eyebrows.
"Well, then, M.Verminet, it was five thousand francs that you lent to my young friend here.

That was right enough; but what do you say to inducing him to forge a signature ?" "I! I do such a thing ?" answered Verminet.