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Updated: May 19, 2025
Excepting at this precise moment, he seemed to become a part of all the conversations in which the old watchmaker was talked of; and people asked each other, in terror, what relation could exist between him and Master Zacharius. It was remarked, too, that he never lost sight of the old man and his daughter while they were taking their promenades.
Chance brought them at last back again to the vast hall, which had sheltered them during this night of anguish. It was no longer empty. Master Zacharius and Pittonaccio were talking there together, the one upright and rigid as a corpse, the other crouching over a marble table.
An inspiration suddenly came to his mind. He remembered the last words which Master Zacharius had spoken. The old man only lived now in the old iron clock that had not been returned! Master Zacharius must have gone in search of it. Aubert spoke of this to Gerande. "Let us look at my father's book," she replied. They descended to the shop. The book was open on the bench.
It's much better to sleep, and to get a little comfort from happy dreams! In these detestable times in which we live, who can promise herself a fortunate day?" "Ought we not to send for a doctor for my father?" asked Gerande. "A doctor!" cried the old domestic. "Has Master Zacharius ever listened to their fancies and pompous sayings?
"In faith, we scarcely believe what you tell us, dame Scholastique," they replied; "Master Zacharius has always acted in concert with the devil!" "You haven't counted, then," replied the old servant, "the fine bells which strike for my master's clocks? How many times they have struck the hours of prayer and the mass!" "No doubt," they would reply.
"If I had only a spring here," said she, putting her hand on her heart, "I would not love you as I do, father." Master Zacharius looked intently at Gerande, and did not reply. Suddenly he uttered a cry, carried his hand eagerly to his heart, and fell fainting on his old leathern chair. "Father, what is the matter?" "Help!" cried Aubert. "Scholastique!" But Scholastique did not come at once.
Master Zacharius, when he perceived Gerande, went forward and took her by the hand, and led her towards Pittonaccio, saying, "Behold your lord and master, my daughter. Gerande, behold your husband!" Gerande shuddered from head to foot. "Never!" cried Aubert, "for she is my betrothed." "Never!" responded Gerande, like a plaintive echo. Pittonaccio began to laugh.
The scene had now two new witnesses, the hermit and Aubert. Master Zacharius lay upon the floor; Gerande was praying beside him, more dead than alive. Of a sudden a dry, hard noise was heard, which preceded the strike. Master Zacharius sprang up. "Midnight!" he cried. The hermit stretched out his hand towards the old clock, and midnight did not sound.
How could Master Zacharius read the hour on this strange creature's visage? "By-the-bye," continued the old watchmaker, paying no further attention to the matter, "I have not seen Aubert for several days." "He has not left us, however, father," said Gerande, whose thoughts turned into a gentler channel. "What is he doing then?" "He is working." "Ah!" cried the old man.
"Master," replied Aubert eagerly, "can you compare a copper or steel machine with that breath of God which is called the soul, which animates our bodies as the breeze stirs the flowers? What mechanism could be so adjusted as to inspire us with thought?" "That is not the question," responded Master Zacharius gently, but with all the obstinacy of a blind man walking towards an abyss.
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