Part 12 (1/2)
”Does Joubard think the Prefect sent him?”
”I did not consult Joubard on that point,” said Monsieur Joseph with dignity. ”That is between De Mauves and myself.”
”Oh, my little uncle,” Angelot said with a low laugh, ”you are a very gem among conspirators.”
”None of you take me in earnest, I know,” said Monsieur Joseph, and he smiled for the first time. ”Your father scolds me, Joubard does not half believe in me, Riette takes liberties with me, you laugh at me. It is only that scoundrel of a Prefect who thinks me worth watching.”
”I don't believe he does,” said Angelot.
”Then pray tell me, what brought that police rascal here to-day?”
”Some devilry of his own. Don't you know, Uncle Joseph, these fellows gain credit, and money too, by hunting out cases of disloyalty to the Empire. It is dirty work; officials like the Prefect do not always care to soil their hands with it. I have heard my father tell of cases where whole families were put in prison, just on the evidence of some police spy who wormed himself into their confidence and informed against them.”
Monsieur Joseph sat in silence for a minute.
”Peste! France is not fit to live in,” he said. ”To change the subject--your excellent father proposed to-day that I should send Riette every morning to Lancilly, to learn lessons with Mesdemoiselles de Sainfoy. It seems that Madame de Sainfoy herself proposed this obliging plan. The governess, it seems, is a jewel of the first water. Is that the lady I saw with the children the other day?”
”Yes; Mademoiselle Moineau.”
Angelot's breath came a little short; his heart seemed to beat unreasonably in his throat. How could he express with sufficient restraint his opinion of that sleepy old angel, Mademoiselle Moineau!
He felt himself colouring crimson; but it was growing dark, the gorgeous sunset had faded, the clouds hung blacker and heavier as the oppressive night closed in.
”No doubt a charming lady and a very good woman,” said Monsieur Joseph, with his usual politeness, ”but she has not the air of a genius. In any case, even if I saw any advantage for Riette in the plan, which I do not, I am too selfish to consent to it. Well, well, I have other reasons; I will tell them to your mother one of these days. I am sorry Madame de Sainfoy should have thought of it, as it seems ungracious to refuse. But I was miserable enough without Riette last year, when she spent those weeks at the Convent at Sonnay. By the by, the good nuns did not find her so ignorant. She knows her religion, she can dance and sing, she can make clothes for the poor, she understands the animals, and has read a little history. Pray what more does a girl want?”
”Nothing, I dare say,” said Angelot, dreamily. ”I did not think you would like it.”
”I do not like it,” said Monsieur Joseph. ”Your father was astonished when I told him so. We did not discuss it long; the storm interrupted us. But how could I let my child be brought up in a household devoted to the Empire! It is unreasonable.”
Angelot started suddenly to his feet.
”Are you going? It will rain again soon,” said Monsieur Joseph.
”No, I am not going yet,” said Angelot.
He marched up and down two or three times in front of the bench.
”Uncle Joseph,” he burst out, ”I have something to say to you. I came here to-night on purpose to consult you. You can help me, I think, if anybody can.”
”What, what? Are they sending you into the army?” Monsieur Joseph was all interest, all affection. His own annoyances were forgotten. He started up too, standing in his most inspired att.i.tude, with a sweet smile on his face. ”Declare yourself, my boy!” he said. ”Yes, I will stand by you. You cannot fight for that bloodthirsty wretch. Escape, dearest, if there is nothing else for it. Go and join the Princes. Your mother will agree with me. I will lend you money for the journey.”
”Ah, a thousand thanks, Uncle Joseph!” cried the young man. ”But no, it is not that at all.” He lowered his voice suddenly. ”I want to marry,”
he said.
”To marry! Angelot! You! In heaven's name, why?”
”Because I am in love.”
”What a reason!”