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He led me up a spacious staircase, wide enough for a carriage to ascend, preceded me along an extensive picture gallery, guided me across vast apartments, the furniture of which was fading under its coverings, and finally delivered me into the hands of M. Albert's valet. That is the name by which Madame Gerdy's son is known, that is to say, my name." "I understand, I understand."
An advocate, he passed for having great talent, and greater industry, and had already gained a certain amount of notoriety. He was an obstinate worker, cold and meditative, though devoted to his profession, and affected, with some ostentation, perhaps, a great rigidity of principle, and austerity of manners. In Madame Gerdy's apartment, old Tabaret felt himself quite at home.
"I have entered into various engagements. Can I now make use of Madame Gerdy's fortune, which I have hitherto used as my own? I think not." "You certainly ought not to. But listen! I am glad you have spoken of this; you can render me a service. "Very willingly. What is it?" "I have, locked up in my secretary, twelve or fifteen thousand francs, which trouble me exceedingly.
"He came this morning, sir," replied the girl, "while you were out; and he did not seem at all hopeful. He came again just now, and is still here." "Very well. I will go and speak to him. If any one calls, show them into my study, and let me know." On entering Madame Gerdy's chamber, Noel saw at a glance that no change for the better had taken place during his absence.
However, as he could not withdraw he resolved to keep close watch upon his language and remain constantly on his guard. The advocate ushered the old man into Madame Gerdy's room. Her condition, since the afternoon, had changed a little; though it was impossible to say whether for the better or the worse. One thing was evident, her prostration was not so great.
"And you would trust, father, to a paid silence, as if one could ever be sure of a purchased conscience? What is sold to you may be sold to another. A certain sum may close her mouth; a larger will open it." "I will frighten her." "You forget, father, that Claudine Lerouge was Noel Gerdy's nurse, that she takes an interest in his happiness, that she loves him.
"You wished, sir, to speak with me?" she inquired, bowing gracefully. "Madame," replied M. Tabaret, "I am a friend of Noel Gerdy's, I may say his best friend, and " "Pray sit down, sir," interrupted the young woman. She placed herself on a sofa, just showing the tips of her little feet encased in slippers matching her dressing-gown, while the old man sat down in a chair.
"I come, madame," he resumed, "on very serious business. Your presence at M. Gerdy's " "Ah," cried Juliette, "he already knows of my visit? Then he must employ a detective." "My dear child " began Tabaret, paternally. "Oh! I know, sir, what your errand is. Noel has sent you here to scold me. He forbade my going to his house, but I couldn't help it.
The advocate appeared to hesitate. "Go, my son," advised M. Tabaret; "do not be merciless, only bigots have that right." Noel arose with visible reluctance, and passed into Madame Gerdy's sleeping apartment. "Poor boy!" thought M. Tabaret when left alone. "What a fatal discovery! and how he must feel it. Such a noble young man! such a brave heart!
"Three weeks ago," commenced Noel, "searching for some old documents, I opened Madame Gerdy's secretary. Accidentally I displaced one of the small shelves: some papers tumbled out, and a packet of letters fell in front of my eyes. A mechanical impulse, which I cannot explain, prompted me to untie the string, and, impelled by an invincible curiosity, I read the first letter which came to my hand."
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