If I ever find out that you have mentioned me in your will,
all is at end between us." She drooped her head disconsolately, and
he continued in a milder tone--"Dorfling's will has not brought me
so much luck that I should ever wish to inherit money again."
The idea to which she had given expression did not leave Pilar,
however. There should be something in writing--some document with
stamps and seals to testify that Wilhelm belonged to her. This wish
assumed the proportions of a superstition with her, and she never
rested till it was satisfied.
One morning the inmates of the house on the Boulevard Pereire saw
the arrival of three carriages, which discharged eight persons at
the door. A well-dressed gentleman rang the bell, marshaled his
seven companions in the hall, and desired to be shown up to the
countess. She was expecting him, and received him in the red salon.
After a short conversation, she went downstairs with him to the
yellow salon, where Wilhelm, at her request, followed them. The
visitor was the Spanish consul in Paris. He produced a casket
ornamented with mother-o'-pearl, broke a seal with which it was
fastened, unlocked it with a small silver key, and took out a
document in a closed envelope, and handed it to Pilar.
Pages:
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476