"
"Hypocrite!" growled the old fellow between his teeth.
"What did you say?" asked Noel.
"I say that he is a fine young man; and I shall be delighted to make his
acquaintance."
"I did not show him the letter referring to the rupture," added
Noel; "it is best that he should ignore Madame Gerdy's misconduct. I
voluntarily deprived myself of this proof, rather than give him further
pain."
"And now?"
"What am I to do? I am waiting the count's return. I shall act more
freely after hearing what he has to say. Tomorrow I shall ask permission
to examine the papers belonging to Claudine. If I find the letters, I am
saved; if not,--but, as I have told you, I have formed no plan since I
heard of the assassination. Now, what do you advise?"
"The briefest counsel demands long reflection," replied the old fellow,
who was in haste to depart. "Alas! my poor boy, what worry you have
had!"
"Terrible! and, in addition, I have pecuniary embarrassments."
"How! you who spend nothing?"
"I have entered into various engagements. Can I now make use of Madame
Gerdy's fortune, which I have hitherto used as my own? I think not."
"You certainly ought not to.
Pages:
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124