Your going would be useless. Madame Gerdy exists probably still; but
her mind is dead. Her brain was unable to resist so violent a shock. The
unfortunate woman would neither recognise nor understand you."
"Go then alone," sighed the count, "go, my son!"
The words "my son," pronounced with a marked emphasis, sounded like a
note of victory in Noel's ears.
He bowed to take his leave. The count motioned him to wait.
"In any case," he said, "a place at table will be set for you here. I
dine at half-past six precisely. I shall be glad to see you."
He rang. His valet appeared.
"Denis," said he, "none of the orders I may give will affect this
gentleman. You will tell this to all the servants. This gentleman is at
home here."
The advocate took his leave; and the count felt great comfort in being
once more alone. Since morning, events had followed one another with
such bewildering rapidity that his thoughts could scarcely keep pace
with them. At last, he was able to reflect.
"That, then," said he to himself, "is my legitimate son. I am sure of
his birth, at any rate. Besides I should be foolish to disown him, for I
find him the exact picture of myself at thirty.
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