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Updated: May 24, 2025
The great enterprise fortunately does not lie in this alliance. We have still the idea of the Company to which all old people must subscribe remaining to us, and we can work it up at once." He stopped short, abashed by the look on Tantaine's face. "It strikes me," resumed the doctor, a little mortified, "that my proposal is not utterly ridiculous, and certainly deserves some consideration."
"Then," went on Tantaine, "I will take my leave. Remember, that as you fulfil your engagement, so we will keep to ours." He had laid his hand on the handle of the door, when the Count said, "Another word, if you please. I can answer for myself and Madame de Mussidan, but how about my daughter?" Tantaine's face changed. "What do you mean?" asked he.
You will be furnished with all necessary papers, so that you can account for all your life during the twenty-five years you spent in this world." "Then I presume that the person into whose shoes I have crept was a composer and a musician like myself?" Again Tantaine's patience gave way, and it was with an oath that he exclaimed, "Are you acting the part of a fool, or are you one in reality?
"I can't say, sir, but I should guess about two or three hundred francs a month; and he makes that do, for he is economical and quiet, and as modest as a young girl." Tantaine's face shone all over with satisfaction. "You must have known M. Paul for some time, as you seem so thoroughly acquainted with his habits?" said he.
He felt that he was not going to put on a disguise for a brief period, but for life, and that now, though he rose in life, wealth, title, even a wife would all have been obtained by a shameful and skilfully planned deception, and this deception he must keep up until the day of his death. He shuddered as he recalled Tantaine's words, "Paul Violaine is dead."
Toto was a sharp lad, and he was by no means deceived by Tantaine's outward semblance of friendliness, and he almost felt as if his life depended on the promptness of his decision. The question was, had the old man heard anything of the preceding conversation? "If the old rogue has been listening," said he to himself, "I am in a hole, and no mistake."
The greatest impostors of all ages have ever been their own dupes." At the word impostor, Paul seemed about to speak, but a wave of Tantaine's hand silenced him. "You must cast aside your old skin, and enter that of another. Paul Violaine, the natural son of a woman who kept a small drapery shop at Poitiers, Paul Violaine, the youthful lover of Rose, no longer exists.
Before twenty-four hours have elapsed I must know everything as to the habits and disposition of Gandelu senior. I want to know on what terms he is with his son." "Good. I will set La Candele to work." "And as the young fellow will doubtless need money, contrive to let him know of our friend Verminet, the chairman of the Mutual Loan Society." "But that is M. Tantaine's business."
And not only that, but you must lose your memory, and that so entirely, that if any one in the street calls out Violaine, you will never even dream of turning round." Paul's brain seemed to tremble beneath the crime that his companion was teaching him. "Who am I then?" asked he. A sardonic smile crossed Tantaine's face. "You are just what the portress told you, Paul, and nothing more.
Let me tell you it is from Mademoiselle Flavia Rigal, and leaves no room to doubt of her sentiments toward me." "Is that a fact?" "It is so; and whenever I choose, Mademoiselle Flavia will be only too ready to become Madame Paul." For an instant a bright flush crimsoned old Tantaine's wrinkled face, but it faded away almost as soon as it appeared.
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