Part 47 (1/2)
Worthy Monsieur Gerval went up to his apartment, where he found his old servant Dupre impatiently awaiting his master's return.
”Ah! here you are, monsieur; I was anxious because you stayed away so long. Have you had a pleasant journey? Have you learned anything?”
”No, my friend; the house where the Murville family used to live is now for sale. I was told that one Edouard Murville lived there for some time with his wife, but no one knows what has become of them. And you, Dupre?”
”I have found out nothing more, monsieur. Your old friends are dead; and their children are n.o.body knows where. Several people did mention a Murville, who was a business agent, then a swindler, and all-in-all a thoroughly bad fellow. But no one was able or willing to tell me what has become of him. Perhaps he may have been the younger of the two sons, the one who ran away from his father's house at fifteen; such an escapade as that promises nothing good for the future.”
”I should be very sorry if it were so; I would have liked--but I see that I have returned too late. My travels kept me away from Paris ten years, and it was only within a year that, on retiring from business, I was able to return to this city. But what changes ten years have produced! My friends--to be sure they were quite old when I went away--my friends are dead or else they have disappeared. That depresses me, Dupre; there is nothing left for me in this city but memories. I think we will leave it, and go back to my little place in the Vosges to live; I propose to end my life there.--But let us drop this subject; I have something to tell you, for my journey has not been altogether without fruit; it has made me acquainted with a very interesting young woman, who seems most unfortunate too.”
”Indeed! Where did monsieur meet her?”
”We returned to Paris in the same carriage; for notwithstanding your advice, I made the trip in one of those miserable cabriolets.”
”Oh! the idea of subjecting yourself to such a jolting! That is unreasonable!”
”Nonsense! nonsense! I'm perfectly well, and I congratulate myself that I did not take your advice, as I travelled with a poor woman, whom I found afterward by chance in a most melancholy plight.”
Monsieur Gerval told the servant what had happened to him, and the chance which had led to his finding the traveller again in a cafe, just as those present were talking of taking her to a refuge. Dupre, whose heart was as soft as his master's, was very impatient to see the young woman and her pretty little girl; he followed his master, who asked to be taken to the room which had been given to Adeline.
Edouard's wife was pacing the floor excitedly, while little Ermance was lying in an armchair. The entrance of Monsieur Gerval and Dupre caused Adeline a moment's terror; she ran to her daughter and seemed to be afraid that it was their intention to take her away from her.
”Don't be alarmed, madame,” said the old man gently, as he approached her; ”it is a friend who has come to comfort you. Tell me your troubles; I shall be able to lighten them, I hope.”
”What a crowd there is about me!” said Adeline, glancing wildly about; ”what a mult.i.tude of people! Why this gathering? Ah! I will not, no, I will not stop on this square. They have come here to gaze on those poor wretches. Let me go! But I cannot; the cruel crowd forces me back. Ah! I must close my eyes, and not look! He is there, close to me!”
She fell upon a chair and put her hands before her face.
”Poor woman!” said Dupre; ”some horrible thing must have happened to her. Do you know, monsieur, that it seems to me that this unfortunate creature belongs to a good family? Her clothes are very simple, almost like a peasant's; but for all that, I will bet that this woman is no peasant.”
”Why, of course not; I can see that as well as you. But how are we to find out who she is? If this child could talk better----”
”The little girl is waking up, monsieur; give her some bonbons and try to make out the name she mentions.”
Gerval went to Ermance and kissed her; the child recognized him and went to him of her own accord. He gave her bonbons, danced her on his knees, and she lisped the name of Jacques; for it was Jacques who played with her and danced with her every evening.
”One would say that she knows you, monsieur,” said Dupre to his master; ”I believe it is Jacques she says; just listen.”
”Poor child; it is true. Perhaps that is her father's name. Let us try to find out if that is really the name she is lisping; if it is, her mother knows it without any question.”
The old man walked toward Adeline, uttering the name of Jacques in a loud voice. The young woman instantly arose and repeated the name.
”Good! she understood us,” whispered Dupre.
”You are looking for Jacques,” said Adeline to Monsieur Gerval; ”oh! in pity's name, do not tell him this horrible secret; let him always remain ignorant of his shame! Poor Jacques! he would die of grief. Oh! promise me that you will say nothing to him.”
Honest Gerval promised, and Dupre sadly shook his head.
”It is of no use,” he said to his master, ”there is no hope.--But what is your plan?”