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Updated: June 2, 2025
Catenac's sunken eyes blazed as he thought of the prospective millions. "May the devil fly away with all scruples!" cried he. "My friends, I am yours soul and body; you may rely on your devoted Catenac." The doctor and Mascarin exchanged a look of triumph. "Of course we share and share alike," observed the lawyer.
For a few minutes Mascarin stood at the door of the office watching Paul, who departed almost staggering beneath the burden of so many conflicting emotions; and when he saw him disappear round the corner, he ran to a glazed door which led to his bed chamber, and in a loud whisper called, "Come in, Hortebise. He has gone."
"I can now see what an idiot I was, and I have entirely effaced her from my memory, and I am half inclined to deplore that Mademoiselle Rigal is an heiress, the more so if it is to form a barrier between us." This declaration seemed to make Mascarin more easy.
"Have they forgotten us?" thought she. Alas! no; they were people who never forgot. The Champdoce affair had been satisfactorily arranged, and every precaution had been taken to prevent the detection of Paul as an impostor, and engaged as he had been, Mascarin had no time to turn his attention to the marriage of Sabine and De Croisenois.
"After our interview," began Paul, "I went back to the Hotel de Perou, and on the mantelpiece in my garret found this note from Rose." He held it out as he spoke, but Mascarin made no effort to take it.
"We go by such different roads," said he, "that they will never suspect that we are working together. Faith! my dear Baptiste, you are much more clever than I thought." "Don't praise me until you see that I am successful." Mascarin stopped opposite to a cafe in the Faubourg Saint Honore. "Wait here for me, doctor," said he, "while I make a little call.
"Yes," continued Mascarin, "we are getting old, and therefore have the greater reason for making one grand stroke to assure our fortune. Were I to fall ill to-morrow, all would go to smash." "Quite true," returned the doctor, with a slight shudder. "We must, and that is certain, venture on a bold stroke. I have said this for years, and woven a web of gigantic proportions.
But on the third day Modest informed him, with tears in her eyes, that though the cataleptic fit had passed away, Sabine was struggling with a severe attack of fever. Modeste and Andre were so interested in their conversation, that they did not perceive Florestan, who had gone out to post a letter to Mascarin.
"Is this the first time you ever saw well-dressed women? Surely you are not afraid of them. Look to the right," continued Mascarin, "and you will see the heiress." A young girl, not more than eighteen, was seated near one of the windows. She was not perhaps so beautiful as Mascarin had described, but her face was a very striking one nevertheless.
"Ah!" exclaimed Mascarin, "when I have more time I must hear your performance; but to-day I am in a hurry, and want to say a few words to you in private." "Certainly, but suppose we go upstairs and ask for a private room."
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