Volume I Part 45 (1/2)
”No, the superb Sainte-Suzanne!”
”Not in the least. But let us be off. We must go to the notary.”
”What! has Monsieur Courtivaux said that he would be there?”
”It's all settled, all arranged; the day and hour were fixed while you were sighing in front of that portrait. Really, it's very lucky for those ladies that I came with you! Let us go.”
Edmond took Chamoureau to see the notary. The young man had now become the agent; he made all the arrangements. Chamoureau's only function seemed to be to sigh.
From the notary's they set off in their cab to go to Madame Dalmont's.
As they drew nearer to her abode, Edmond became more thoughtful and silent; he even went so far as to sigh, like his companion.
”I am going to that lady's house,” he thought. ”She will learn that she is under some obligation to me, since I hastened forward the conclusion of the transaction. She will thank me; but will she ask me to come again? That is doubtful, for she has known me only since this morning.
However, I shall no longer be a stranger to them; that is a point gained.”
”Is this the place?” he inquired, pointing to a house.
”I haven't the slightest idea.”
”Do you mean that you have never been to see those ladies?”
”Never. But they told us number 40, so this must be the house.--Are you going up with me?”
”Am I going up with you! That's a pretty question! Why, I settled the business almost unaided; and do you think I am not going to tell them about it?”
”Bless my soul! it makes no difference to me; I had no special object in view in asking you that question.”
Agathe opened the door and uttered a cry of joy when she saw Edmond, for there was something in the young man's expression that announced the successful result of the steps he had taken.
In a few words he informed Madame Dalmont that the business was concluded, that Monsieur Courtivaux agreed to a.s.sume the expenses, and that the next day, at three o'clock, she was expected at the notary's whose address he gave her.
Honorine expressed to the young man the grat.i.tude which the zeal he had shown in her service had merited. While her friend was speaking, Agathe said nothing; but it is probable that she too thanked Edmond with her eyes, for he was radiant with joy.
When the ladies had also said a few words to Chamoureau, who acted as if he had no idea what it was all about, Edmond said to Honorine:
”As soon as the deeds are signed, madame, you will be ent.i.tled to go with mademoiselle and take possession of your estate, where, I presume, you propose to pa.s.s the summer.”
”Summer and winter too, monsieur. I have bought the house with the intention of secluding myself there altogether.”
”What, madame! you are leaving Paris for good? you do not expect to return for the winter?”
”No, monsieur, I shall pa.s.s the whole year at Ch.e.l.les.”
”And mademoiselle also?”
”As if I could live apart from my dear friend!” replied Agathe with a smile. ”As if I could ever leave her! Where she is, I shall always be.
And then, I do not care for Paris, and I look forward with delight to living in the country.”
Edmond's face darkened; he already regretted that he had shown so much zeal in facilitating their speedy departure. There is always more or less selfishness in the zeal we display in serving other people. In Paris he thought that it would be easy for him to see Agathe again, to meet her, even if he were obliged to pa.s.s a large part of the day on the street where she lived. But he must needs abandon that hope, if she ceased to live in Paris.