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Feeling sure that du Tillet would not repeat what he told him, Birotteau answered: "I shall never go back to business, monsieur. No human power could have foreseen what has happened to me there. Who knows that I might not be the victim of another Roguin?
Birotteau took care that neither his wife nor his daughter nor the clerks should suspect his anxiety; but he was in truth like a humble boatman on the Seine whom the government has suddenly put in command of a frigate. Troubled thoughts filled his mind, never very capable of reflection, as if with a fog; he stood still, as it were, and peered about to see his way.
"I did not think there could exist such weak beings!" he said, with difficulty keeping back the word fools. "Ah, monsieur," said Cayron, "it is not everybody that has your talents." Birotteau might easily believe himself a superior being in the presence of Monsieur Molineux; the answer of the umbrella-man made him smile agreeably, and he bowed to him with a truly royal air as they parted.
Torn by this inward misery, Birotteau fell to examining attentively the broad green lines painted on the oilcloth which, from custom immemorial, Mademoiselle Gamard left on the table at breakfast-time, without regard to the ragged edges or the various scars displayed on its surface.
He was the sole relation of Madame Birotteau, and had centred all his affections upon her and upon Cesarine, having lost, in the course of his commercial career, his wife and son, and also an adopted child, the son of his house-keeper.
The Abbe Troubert is too deep to be fathomed at once. Our dear Birotteau is at the beginning of his troubles. Besides, would he be left in peace and comfort even if he did give up his lodging to Troubert? I doubt it.
"Thank you, my uncle; a word to the wise is enough," said Popinot, to whom Cesar's heart-rending exclamation was now explained. The merchant in oils, refined and otherwise, returned to his gloomy shop with an anxious brow. Birotteau saw the change. "Will you do me the honor to come up into my bedroom? We shall be better there. The clerks, though very busy, might overhear us."
Accordingly, it was found that the Abbe Chapeloud had left his library and all his furniture to his friend Birotteau. The possession of these things, so keenly desired, and the prospect of being taken to board by Mademoiselle Gamard, certainly did allay the grief which Birotteau felt at the death of his friend the canon. He might not have been willing to resuscitate him; but he mourned him.
"I have my workmen in the faubourg to pay," said Birotteau, who knew not how to lie. He took his hat once more intending to follow them out, but the mason, Thorein, and Chaffaroux stopped him as he was closing the door. "Monsieur," said Chaffaroux, "we are in great need of money." "Well, I have not the mines of Peru," said Cesar, walking quickly away from them.
"Your intention of ceasing to reside in Mademoiselle Gamard's house being made evident " began the man of business. "Eh! monsieur," cried the Abbe Birotteau, interrupting him, "I have not the slightest intention of leaving it."
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