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Putting a bold face on it, however, he acted at once and staked his all. To put the police on Albert's track was to guarantee his own safety, to insure to himself, in the event of a probable success, Count de Commarin's name and fortune. Circumstances, as well as his own terror, increased his boldness and his ingenuity. Old Tabaret's visit occurred just at the right moment.
M. de Commarin's face darkened at this very natural supposition. He hesitated, he whose honour was usually so great. "I would save the name of my ancestors," he said at last. Albert shook his head doubtfully. "At the price of a lie, my father," he said. "I never will believe it. But let us suppose even that. He will then call Madame Gerdy."
No one noticed the strange state of his mind, so natural were his manners and conversations. It was not until the afternoon that a young friend of his gave him the name of Albert de Commarin's club, and offered to conduct him thither, as he too was a member. M. Daburon accepted warmly, and accompanied his friend.
We will admit, for a moment, that I know nothing more than you do now. What is your opinion?" Old Tabaret remained some minutes without answering; he was estimating the probabilities resulting from M. de Commarin's letters. "For my own part," said he at length, "I believe on my conscience that you are not Madame Gerdy's son." "And you are right!" answered the advocate forcibly.
As for Madame de Fondege, her head seemed to have been completely turned by the prospect of the approaching fete at the Countess de Commarin's. She had only a fortnight left to make her preparations. All the evening before, through part of the night, and ever since she had been awake that morning, she had been racking her brain to arrive at an effective combination of colors and materials.
Just one month before, ruined, at the end of his expedients and absolutely without resources, he had determined, cost what it might, to procure money, so as to be able to continue to keep Madame Juliette, when chance placed in his hands Count de Commarin's correspondence.
In bowing, in response to M. de Commarin's and Claire's salutations, they seemed to inquire their business: but this hesitation was brief, for the soldier almost immediately offered Mademoiselle d'Arlange a chair. The count considered that his presence was inopportune; and he thought that he was called upon to introduce himself, and explain his visit.
And yet he could not clearly see how the Count de Commarin's interests were concerned in the matter. This uncertainty made him very uneasy. "Sir," he asked, more sternly, "when were you informed of the discovery of your secret?" "Last evening, by Albert himself. He spoke to me of this sad story, in a way which I now seek in vain to explain, unless "
Great tears rolled down the Count de Commarin's wrinkled face, and the doctor and the priest were touched by the sad spectacle of an old man weeping like a child. Only the previous evening, the count had thought his heart dead; and now this penetrating voice was sufficient to regain the fresh and powerful feelings of his youth. Yet, how many years had passed away since then!
At length he turned towards me, saying, 'Sir, you know M. de Commarin's legitimate son? I answered: 'I am he. He bowed his head and murmured 'I thought so. He then took my hand and added, 'Brother, I bear you no ill will for this." "It seems to me," remarked old Tabaret, "that he might have left that to you to say, and with more reason and justice."
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