Alas! Albert, too, was perfect;
and he has assassinated Claudine! What will this one do?--All the same,"
he added, half-aloud, "I ought to have accompanied him to see Valerie!"
And, although the advocate had been gone at least a good ten minutes,
M. de Commarin, not realising how the time had passed, hastened to the
window, in the hope of seeing Noel in the court-yard, and calling him
back.
But Noel was already far away. On leaving the house, he took a cab and
was quickly driven to the Rue St. Lazare.
On reaching his own door, he threw rather than gave five francs to the
driver, and ran rapidly up the four flights of stairs.
"Who has called to see me?" he asked of the servant.
"No one, sir."
He seemed relieved from a great anxiety, and continued in a calmer tone,
"And the doctor?"
"He came this morning, sir," replied the girl, "while you were out; and
he did not seem at all hopeful. He came again just now, and is still
here."
"Very well. I will go and speak to him. If any one calls, show them into
my study, and let me know."
On entering Madame Gerdy's chamber, Noel saw at a glance that no change
for the better had taken place during his absence.
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