Volume VI Part 43 (2/2)
Otherwise a scandal would have arisen'”
Madeleine merely murmured: ”Just as you like”
He went on with a floords: ”Yes, it is all as clear as daylight with this arrangement of a division in two We inherit from a friend who did not want to make any difference between us, any distinction; who did not wish to appear to say: 'I prefer one or the other after death, as I did during life' He liked the wife best, be it understood, but in leaving the fortune equally to both, he wished plainly to express that his preference was purely platonic And you ht of it, that is what he would have done He did not reflect He did not foresee the consequences As you said very appropriately just now, it was you to whom he offered flowers every week, it is to you he wished to leave his last re into consideration that--”
She checked hiht; I understand
You have no need to make so many explanations Go to the notary's at once”
He staht I aoing out, said: ”I will try to settle the difficulty with the nephew for fifty thousand francs, eh?”
She replied, with dignity: ”No Give him the hundred thousand francs he asks Take them from my share, if you like”
Heup fifty thousand francs apiece, there still remains to us a clear million” He added: ”Good-bye, then, for the present, Made” And he went off to explain to the notary the plan which he asserted had been ined the next day a deed of gift of five hundred thousand francs, which Madeleine Du Roy abandoned to her husband On leaving the notary's office, as the day was fine, George suggested that they should walk as far as the boulevards He showed hihed, pleased at everything, while she rehtful and somewhat severe
It was a somewhat cool autumn day The people in the streets seemed in a hurry, and walked rapidly Du Roy led his wife to the front of the shop in which he had so often gazed at the longed-for chronometer ”Shall I stand you some jewelry?” said he
She replied, indifferently: ”Just as you like”
They went in, and he asked: ”What would you prefer--a necklace, a bracelet, or a pair of earrings?”
The sight of the trinkets in gold, and precious stones overca and inquisitive eyes the glass cases filled with jewelry And, suddenly moved by desire, said: ”That is a very pretty bracelet”
It was a chain of quaint pattern, every link of which had a different stone set in it
George inquired: ”How much is this bracelet?”
”Three thousand francs, sir,” replied the jeweler
”If you will let ain”
The man hesitated, and then replied: ”No, sir; that is impossible”
Du Roy went on: ”Come, you can throw in that chronometer for fifteen hundred; that will reed? If not, I will go somewhere else”
The jeweler, in a state of perplexity, ended by agreeing, saying: ”Very good, sir”