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Updated: June 7, 2025
Ten times they have tried to break off their intimacy; and as often they have been compelled to renew it, bound as they feel they are to each other by a chain far more oppressive and solid than the one Justin Chevassat wore at the galleys. "At first, however, they had to conceal their intimacy; for they had no money.
Just give me the time to boil an egg, and to roast a cutlet, and I'll be up again." Ordinarily sour-tempered, and as bitter as wormwood, Mrs. Chevassat had displayed all the amiability of which she was capable, hiding under a veil of tender sympathy the annoying eagerness of her eyes. Her hypocrisy was all wasted. The efforts she made were too manifest not to arouse the very worst suspicions.
And, thus re-assured, he rapidly mounted up to the fifth story; but there Mrs. Chevassat suddenly barred his way, coming down stairs in a manner which showed clearly that she had lain in wait for him. "Well, my dear sir," she said with her sweetest manner: "so you have become Miss Henrietta's banker?" "Yes; do you object to it?" "Oh, not at all! It is none of my business, only"
"Unfortunately, it was no dream; and I soon found that out, when a waiter came up and brought me a letter. Chevassat wrote me to come to his house, and to breakfast with him for the purpose of talking business. "Of course I went. I asked the concierge where M. Justin Chevassat lives in the house; and he directs me to go to the second floor, on the right hand.
And, continuing his examination, he asked the accused, "Who is this Justin Chevassat?" "One of my friends." "A friend richer than yourself, I should think?" "As to that why, yes; since he has always plenty of money in his pockets, dresses in the last fashion, and drives his carriage." "What is he doing? What is his profession?" "Ah! as to that, I know nothing about it.
I am not sure, you understand; but I think I could swear it was the voice of Miss Henrietta, that pretty young girl who lives up there. Well, are you coming?" But they did not stir. "Miss Henrietta is not in her room," said Mrs. Chevassat coldly. "She went out just now, and told me she would not be back till nine o'clock.
The driver did so; and then Chevassat said to me, 'Come, old man, we'll begin by dressing you up decently. So we get out; and upon my word, he buys me a shirt, trousers, a coat, and everything else that was needful; he pays for a silk hat, and a pair of varnished boots. Farther down the street was a watchmaker.
"You cannot furnish any additional evidence of the complicity of Justin Chevassat, of his efforts to tempt you to commit this crime, or of the forgery he committed in getting up a false set of papers for you?" "No! Ah, he is a clever one, and leaves no trace behind him that could convict him.
"Well," she commenced, "now you are happy, miss! You have advertised my house, and it will all be in the papers. Everybody will pity you, and think your lover a cold-blooded villain, who lets you die of starvation." The poor young girl deprecated the charge with such a sweet, gentle expression of face, that a savage would have been touched; but Mrs. Chevassat was civilized.
Chevassat had shot at her a venomous glance, which pierced her to the very marrow of her bones. "It must be done," she said to herself. In her mind she felt as if the five francs were a kind of daily ransom which she paid the estimable concierge's wife for her good-will.
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