Volume II Part 29 (1/2)
”Eh!” cried Charles, stupefied. ”Oh! now don't think, at least, that I--”
”I think nothing.”
”But--”
”This receipt!”
”Dear sir.”
”Write; and tell the people who speak to you of my embarra.s.sments how I answer such suspicions.”
”The fact is, as soon as this is known, your credit will only be the more solid. But, really, take the money; I cannot use it now; I said in three months.”
”M. Charles Robert, no one shall suspect me twice.”
”You are angry?”
”The receipt.”
”Oh, obstinacy!” said Charles Robert; then he added, writing the receipt, ”There is a lady closely veiled, who wishes to speak to you on some very pressing business. I shall take a good look at her when I pa.s.s. Here is your receipt; is it right?”
”Very well; now go away by the little staircase.”
”But the lady?”
”It is just to prevent your seeing her.”
The notary rang for the clerk, saying to him, ”Show the lady in.
Adieu, M. Robert.”
”Well, I must renounce seeing her. No ill-feeling, eh! scrivener?”
”Believe as much.”
”Well, well! adieu.”
The notary shut the door on Charles Robert.
After a few moments the clerk introduced the d.u.c.h.ess de Lucenay, very modestly dressed, wrapped in a large shawl, her face completely concealed by a thick veil of black lace, which covered her moire hat of the same color.
CHAPTER IX.
THE d.u.c.h.eSS DE LUCENAY.
Madame de Lucenay slowly approached the desk, in an agitated manner; he advanced to meet her.
”Who are you, madame, and what do you want with me?” said the notary, roughly, whose temper, already fretted by the threat of Sarah, was exasperated at the suspicions of Robert. Besides, the d.u.c.h.ess was so modestly dressed, that the notary saw no reason why he should be civil to her. As she hesitated to speak, he said, even more harshly, ”Will you explain yourself, madame?”