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"Why didn't you apply to his wife?" "M. de Chalusse isn't married. He never has been married." From the expression of solicitude upon her guest's features, Madame Vantrasson supposed he was racking his brain to discover some mode of escape from her present difficulties. "If I were in your place," he said, "I should try to interest his relatives and family in my case "
"An execution!" said the woman, whose voice suddenly soured. "Vantrasson, wake up, and come and see about this." This summons was unnecessary. On hearing the words "note of hand," the man had lifted his head; and at the name of Barutin, he rose and approached with a heavy, uncertain step, as if he had not yet slept off his intoxication.
We employed my savings in purchasing the Hotel des Espagnes, in the Rue Notre Dame des Victoires, and business prospered; there was never a vacant room. But any person who has drank, sir, will drink again. Vantrasson kept sober for a few months, but gradually he fell into his old habits. He was in such a condition most of the time that he was scarcely able to ask for food.
It was there that Vantrasson met Mademoiselle Marguerite, and this is why he was so greatly surprised to see her doing the mistress at the Hotel de Chalusse." It seemed to Pascal that the throbbing of his heart stopped his breath. "By a little tact I obtained the Greloux's address from Madame Vantrasson," resumed his mother. "Then I sent for a cab and drove there at once." "And you saw them?"
The butterfly had become a chrysalis again. Chupin's admiring smile must have repaid him for his trouble. Since the young clerk evinced approval, M. Fortunat felt sure that Vantrasson would take him for what he wished to appear a poor devil of an agent, who was acting on some other person's behalf. "Let us start at once," said he.
He owns, nobody knows how many houses in Paris, chateaux in every part of the country, entire villages, forests his gold comes in by the shovelful." The spurious clerk closed his eyes, as if he were dazzled by this vision of wealth. "The second time I went to the count's house," resumed Madame Vantrasson, "I didn't see him, but he sent me a thousand francs.
Those were good times for me. But you know how it is one is never content with one's lot, and then the heart is weak " She had not succeeded in finding the sweet wine which she proposed to her guest; so in its place she substituted a mixture of ratafia and brandy in two large glasses which she placed upon the counter. "One evening, to my sorrow," she resumed, "I met Vantrasson at a ball.
However, these doleful complaints, far from rendering Madame Vantrasson interesting, imparted a deceitful and most disagreeable expression to her countenance. "I told you that I could only give fifteen francs," interrupted Madame Ferailleur "take it or leave it." Madame Vantrasson protested. She expressed her willingness to deduct five francs from the sum she had named, but more it was impossible!
Vantrasson had taken some wax from a sealed bottle, and, after melting it at the flame of the candle, he let it drop slowly on to the table. He then pressed a sou upon it, and when the wax had become sufficiently cool and stiff, he removed it from the table without destroying the impression, by means of a thin bladed knife similar to those which glaziers use.
At this point in her narrative Madame Vantrasson evinced a desire to pause and draw a breath, and perhaps partake of some slight refreshment; but M. Fortunat was impatient. The woman's husband might return at any moment. "And, after that?" he inquired.
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