Part 40 (1/2)
Jeanne looked at the mistress without answering. In these words she detected irony.
”You have found peace,” continued Madame Desvarennes, looking steadfastly at Jeanne with her piercing eyes. ”You see, my dear, when you have a clear conscience--for you have nothing to reproach yourself with?”
Jeanne saw in this sentence a question and not an affirmation. She answered, boldly:
”Nothing!”
”You know that I love you, and would be most lenient,” continued Madame Desvarennes, sweetly, ”and that you might safely confide in me!”
”I have nothing to fear, having nothing to tell,” said Jeanne.
”Nothing?” repeated the mistress, with emphasis.
”Nothing,” affirmed Jeanne.
Madame Desvarennes once more looked at her adopted daughter as if she would read her very soul. She found her quite calm.
”Very well, then!” said she, hastily walking toward the door.
”Are you going already?” asked Jeanne, offering her brow to Madame Desvarennes's lips.
”Yes, good-by!” said the latter, with an icy kiss.
Jeanne, without again turning round, went into the drawing-room. At the same moment, Cayrol, in a travelling-coat, entered the office, followed by Pierre.
”Here I am, quite ready,” said the banker to Madame Desvarennes. ”Have you any new suggestion to make to me, or anything else to say?”
”Yes,” replied Madame Desvarennes, in a stern voice which made Cayrol start.
”Then make haste. I have only a moment to spare, and you know the train waits for no one.”
”You will not go!”
Cayrol, in amazement, answered:
”Do you mean it? Your interests are at stake yonder.”
”Your honor is in danger here,” cried the mistress, vehemently.
”My honor!” repeated Cayrol, starting back. ”Madame, do you know what you are saying?”
”Ay!” answered Madame Desvarennes. ”And do you remember what I promised you? I undertook to warn you, myself, if ever the day came when you would be threatened.”
”Well?” questioned Cayrol, turning quite livid.
”Well! I keep my promise. If you wish to know who your rival is, come home to-night.”
Some inaudible words rattled in Cayrol's throat.
”A rival! in my house! Can Jeanne be guilty? Do you know, if it is true I will kill them both!”
”Deal with them as your conscience dictates,” said Madame Desvarennes.