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"Madame," I said to her, "we have both come to place ourselves under your protection. And, first of all, we are going to ask you to give us some super or to give Jeanne some, at least; for a moment ago, in the carriage, she fainted from weakness. As for myself, I could not eat a bite at this late hour without passing a night of agony in consequence. I hope that Monsieur de Gabry is well."
"I have met Mademoiselle Jeanne Alexandre," I observed, "at the residence of Madame de Gabry and had reason to appreciate the excellent character and quick intelligence of the young girl. As I used to know her parents very well, the friendship which I felt for them naturally inclines me to take an interest in her."
You must remember, on the contrary " Monsieur de Gabry here interrupted me: "So," he exclaimed, "you know of the Ordonnacne de Blois, you know Baluze, you know Childebert, you know the Capitularies and you don't know anything about the Code-Napoleon!" I replied that, as a matter of fact, I never had read the Code; and he looked very much surprised.
I was standing there, waving my hands and gaping, when the musical and laughing voice of Madame de Gabry suddenly rang in my ears. "So you are examining your fairy, Monsieur Bonnard!" said my hostess. "Well, do you think the resemblance good?"
But I was myself on the point of fainting from emotional excitement and fatigue together, when she came to herself again. "Ah! it is you." she said: "so much the better!" Such was our condition when we rang our friend's door-bell. Same day. It was eight o'clock. Madame de Gabry, as might be supposed, was very much surprised by our unexpected appearance.
I did not think about thanking you when I came in, because I was too much surprised. Have you seen Madame de Gabry? Please tell me something about her, Monsieur." "Madame de Gabry," I answered, "is very well.
She smiled with such a sweet calm smile! Madame de Gabry called her away to arrange her hair for the amiable lady had insisted upon combing and plaiting, with her own hands, the hair of the child confided to her care. As I had come a little before the hour agreed upon, I had interrupted this charming toilet. By way of punishment I was told to go and wait in the parlour all by myself.
I continued to muse upon her pretty fancies, while Monsieur Paul related to me, as he puffed a very strong cigar, the history of some suit he had brought against the commune about a water-right. Madame de Gabry, feeling the chill night air, began to shiver under the shawl her husband had wrapped about her, and left us to go to her room.
I cried; "ten years imprisonment for having saved an innocent child." "That is the law!" answered Monsieur de Gabry. "You see, my dear Monsieur Bonnard, I happen to know the Code pretty well not because I ever studied law as a profession, but because, as mayor of Lusance, I was obliged to teach myself something about it in order to be able to give information to my subordinates.
He fears that it would be giving his dear ward a false and pernicious idea of life to allow her too much enjoyment. It is for this reason that he requests Madame de Gabry not to invite the young girl to her house except at very long intervals.
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