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I said nothing to you, because I knew you would rather prevent the marriage, and I loved Serge. I, therefore, signed the contract which you had had prepared. Only the next day I gave a general power of attorney to my husband." Madame Desvarennes's anger was over.
In the angle of the large bay-window, opening into the garden, he waited with palpitating heart. Madame Desvarennes's voice was heard in the silence of the drawing-room; he listened. "Sit down, Jeanne; our interview will be short, and it could not be delayed, for to-morrow I shall not be here." "You are leaving so soon?" "Yes; I only left Paris on my daughter's account, and on yours.
Woe to those who are guilty of the crime!" Cayrol had fallen, as if thunderstruck, on a chair, with haggard eyes; his voice was gone, and he looked the image of despair. Madame Desvarennes's words came back to him like the refrain of a hated song. To himself he kept repeating, without being able to chase away the one haunting thought: "Her lover, to-night, at your house!"
"We shall see how the marriage settlements are drawn up." "But," cried Cayrol, "I would not have it said that I was leading Madame Desvarennes's son-in-law into speculations." "Who is speaking of that?" replied Herzog, coldly. "Am I seeking shareholders? I have more money than I want; I refuse millions every day."
Madame Desvarennes's face brightened as suddenly at these words as a landscape, wrapped in a fog, which is suddenly lighted up by the sun. "Then we shall understand each other," she said. "For the last fortnight we have been busy with marriage preparations, and have not been able to think or reason. Everybody is rambling about here.
The gathering was numerous. Merchant-princes came for Madame Desvarennes's sake; bankers for Cayrol's; and the aristocrats and foreign nobility for the Prince's. An assemblage as opposed in ideas as in manners: some valuing only money, others high birth; all proud and elbowing each other with haughty assurance, speaking ill of each other and secretly jealous.
You live in luxury, thanks to Madame Desvarennes's liberality. I can scarcely manage to keep myself with the help of my family. Our present is precarious, our future hazardous. And, suddenly, fortune is within our grasp. We have only to stretch out our hands, and with one stroke we gain the uncontested power which money brings! "Riches, that aim of humanity! Do you understand?
Micheline was still laughing in the garden. Marechal and Cayrol looked at each other. Cayrol was the first to speak. "The mistress told you all about the matter then? How is it you never spoke to me about it?" "Should I have been worthy of Madame Desvarennes's confidence had I spoken of what she wished to keep secret?" "To me?" "Especially to you.
With a mischievous wink, Serge called Madame Desvarennes's attention to the mayor's solemn appearance as he was galloping with Micheline, also the comical positions of the rustics. Micheline was smiling. She was enjoying herself. All this homely gayety, of which she was the cause, made her feel happy. She enjoyed the pleasure of those around her.
"Until the money is spent!" murmured Marechal, in the ear of Madame Desvarennes's nephew. And taking him by the arm he was leading him toward the safe when the mistress turned to Savinien and said: "By the way, what is your invention?" "Aunt, it is a threshing machine," answered the young man, gravely. "Rather a machine for coining money," said the incorrigible Marechal, in an undertone.
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