In the midst of his torturing efforts to come to some conclusion he
noticed that Auguste, who had come to his room with a letter,
lingered about in an undecided manner, as if he had something to say
but did not know exactly how to say it.
"What is it?" asked Wilhelm, coming to his assistance.
He liked Auguste, for he was always civil and attentive to him,
whereas the hostility of the rest of the servants was easily
discerned in spite of their forced show of servility.
"Monsieur le Docteur must excuse me," said the man, "but I really
can't listen to it any longer and keep quiet. The lady's maid never
stops saying the most scandalous things about monsieur. She says it
is not true that monsieur is a celebrated doctor and a member of
Parliament, and that they are not going to make him President of the
German Republic."
"Who has been trying to impose upon you with such stories?"
"But Madamela Comtess tells everybody so, and all the world knows
it. I have long wanted to ask monsieur for something against the
rheumatism in my left shoulder, but did not like to because madame
says monsieur may not practice here."
What object could Pilar have in inventing these fables?
As he remained silent Auguste resumed:
"Monsieur may trust me, I am discreet, and I always defend him
against Anne, who is spiteful as a cat.
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