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Updated: May 4, 2025
An old serving-man, in a quiet, tasteful livery, opened the door, whereupon M. Fortunat, in a tone of authority, asked: "Madame Lia d'Argeles?" "Madame does not receive on Friday," was the reply. With a petulant gesture, M. Fortunat rejoined: "All the same I must speak with her to-day. It is on a matter of the greatest importance. Give her my card."
I must be at Vincennes for the races. I'm interested in a horse. So, you understand " M. Fortunat was secretly amused by M. Wilkie's nonchalance. "The young fellow won't be in so much of a hurry when he learns my business," he thought. And he replied aloud: "I can explain what brings me in a few words, monsieur." "Proceed, then."
Madame d'Argeles gave the agent a look of mingled irony and distrust; and after a moment's reflection, she replied: "I am very grateful for your interest, monsieur; but if I have any rights, it is not my intention to urge them." It seemed to M. Fortunat as if he were suddenly falling from some immense height.
Leaving his comrades to watch the magistrate's operations, he sent M. Bourigeau to report the count's death at the district mayor's office, and then lighting a cigar he walked out of the house, and strolled leisurely up the Rue de Courcelles. The place appointed for his meeting with M. Fortunat was on the Boulevard Haussmann, almost opposite Binder's, the famous carriage builder.
The blind woman was preaching to a convert; for during the past three days, M. Fortunat had shown himself in such a light that Chupin had secretly resolved to change his employer. "I promise you I'll leave him, mother," he declared, "so you may be quite easy in mind." "Very well; but now, at this moment, where are you going?"
He was interrupted by Madame Dodelin, the worthy housekeeper, who rushed into the room without knocking, in a terrible state of excitement. "Monsieur!" she exclaimed, in the same tone as if she would have called "Fire!" "here is Monsieur de Valorsay." M. Fortunat sprang up and turned extremely pale. "What to the devil brings him here?" he anxiously stammered.
He held in his hand a soiled and crumpled note of hand, affixed by a pin to a huissier's protest, thus proving conclusively that it had been dishonored. M. Fortunat waved these strips of paper triumphantly, and with a satisfied air exclaimed: "It is here that I must strike; it is here if Casimir hasn't deceived me that I shall find the indispensable information I need."
It would make, in all, seventy thousand francs that I should owe you, and I will promise to pay you two hundred and fifty thousand if I succeed and I shall succeed! Such profit is worth some risk. Reflect, and decide. But no more subterfuges, if you please. Let your answer be plain yes or no." Without a second's hesitation, M. Fortunat replied, "No."
However, as he found himself in such a plight and could not afford to let any chance escape, he repaired merely for form's sake to the Vantrasson establishment. It had not changed in the least since the evening he visited it in company with M. Fortunat but seen in the full light of day, it appeared even more dingy and dilapidated.
Dead, he would have been mourned, perhaps; while now, the lowest and most degraded woman would turn from him in disgust, or, even if she loved him, she would not dare to confess it." M. Fortunat seemed greatly disturbed. "Have you then put into execution the project the plan you spoke of?" he faltered. "I thought you were only jesting." The marquis lowered his head. "Yes," he answered.
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