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Updated: July 10, 2025
Daumon allowed himself to fall into his great armchair as though overcome by the excitement of this interview.
She had imagined that this last piece of roguery on the part of Daumon would drive Norbert into a furious passion, but to her surprise it had no such effect. He had suffered so much and so deeply, that his heart was almost dead against any further emotion. "Do not let this trouble you," answered he apathetically; "I will see Daumon and settle with him."
Up to the present the conduct of poor Norbert had been blameless, but now, without knowing anything of the Counsellor's character or reputation, he poured out all the secret sorrows of his heart, while Daumon chuckled secretly, preserving all the time the imperturbable face of a physician called in to visit a patient. "Dear me! dear me!" said he; "this is really too bad. Poor fellow!
Norbert hesitated for an instant: his reasoning powers urged him to decline the offer, but he refused to listen to them, and, fastening his horses to a tree, he followed Daumon down the by-road. The cottage was an excellent one, and extremely well furnished. A woman, who acted as Daumon's housekeeper, served the refreshments.
Daumon was not a native of this part of the country, and no one knew from whence he came. He said that he had been an attorney's clerk, and had certainly resided for a long time in Paris. He was a little man of fifty years of age, clean shaved, and with a sharp and cunning expression of countenance. His long nose, sharp, restless eyes, and thin lips, attracted attention at first sight.
Daumon looked at Diana; and as she made no reply, he went on: "'Well, says I to myself, 'here are two young folks that have fallen in love, and have every right to do so, and yet they are kept apart by unreasonable and cruel-minded parents. They are young and know nothing of the law, and without help they would most certainly get into a muddle.
M. de Puymandour bowed graciously, and stopped to talk with the man, for he was just now seeking for popularity, as he was a candidate, and the elections would shortly take place; and, besides, he never failed to talk to persons who exercised any degree of influence, and he knew that Daumon was a most useful man in electioneering. "Good morning, Counsellor," said he gayly.
There are many young men of your age in a precisely similar position." Norbert took a step forward and began to listen earnestly. "You have more liberty now," continued Daumon. "Pray, does your father know how you employ your time?" "He knows that I can do nothing but shoot." "Well, I know what I would do if I were your age." "And what would that be?"
Daumon shrugged his shoulders with the air of a man who says: "Well, I suppose I must give in, but at any rate I have done my duty." Then he began aloud, "I am perfectly aware, Marquis, that, considering the wealth that must one day be yours, this transaction is a most paltry one."
"And so," returned the young girl in a tone of cold contempt, "after leading us to this compromising position, you are ready to abandon us at the most critical moment?" "Can you think such a thing, mademoiselle?" "You can act as you please, Counsellor; Norbert is still left to me; he will protect me." Daumon shook his head with an air of deep sorrow.
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