They must possess some peculiar art of preparing and spicing
pleasure; since, once they get hold of a man, he sacrifices everything
before forsaking them."
The cab moved on once more, but soon stopped again.
The brougham had made a fresh pause, this time in front of a curiosity
shop.
"The woman wants then to buy out half of Paris!" said old Tabaret to
himself in a passion. "Yes, if Noel committed the crime, it was she
who forced him to it. These are my fifteen thousand francs that she is
frittering away now. How long will they last her? It must have been for
money, then, that Noel murdered Widow Lerouge. If so, he is the lowest,
the most infamous of men! What a monster of dissimulation and hypocrisy!
And to think that he would be my heir, if I should die here of rage! For
it is written in my will in so many words, 'I bequeath to my son, Noel
Gerdy!' If he is guilty, there isn't a punishment sufficiently severe
for him. But is this woman never going home?"
The woman was in no hurry. The weather was charming, her dress
irresistible, and she intended showing herself off. She visited three
or four more shops, and at last stopped at a confectioner's, where she
remained for more than a quarter of an hour.
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