CHAPTER XXIV.
AN ARTFUL TRICK.
Andre had removed his coat and donned his blouse, the sleeves of whichwere rolled up to his shoulders. "I must get to business," murmured he,"to make up for lost time." He set to work with great vigor, but hadhardly got into the swing, when a lad came actively up the ladder andtold him that a gentleman wished to see him, "and a real swell, too,"added the boy. Andre was a good deal put out at being disturbed, butwhen he reached the street and saw that it was M. de Breulh-Faverlaywho was waiting for him, his ill-humor disappeared like chaff before thewind.
"Ah, this is really kind of you," cried he; for he could never forgetthe debt of gratitude he owed to the gentleman. "A thousand thanks forremembering me. Excuse my not shaking hands, but see;" and he exhibitedhis palms all white with plaster. As he did so the smile died away onhis lips, for he caught sight of his friend's face.
"What is the matter?" exclaimed he, anxiously. "Is Sabine worse? Has shehad a relapse?"
De Breulh shook his head, but the expression of his face clearly said,--
"Would to heavens it were only that!"
But the news that Sabine was not worse relieved Andre at once, and hepatiently waited for his friend to explain.
"I have seen her twice for you," answered De Breulh; "but it isabsolutely necessary that you should come to a prompt decision on animportant affair."
"I am quite at your service," returned Andre a good deal surprised andtroubled.
"Then come with me at once, I did not drive here, but we shall not bemore than a quarter of an hour in reaching my house."
"I will follow you almost immediately. I only ask five minutes' grace togo up to the scaffold again."
"Have you any orders to give?"
"No, I have none."
"Why should you go, then?"
"To make myself a little more presentable."
"Is it an annoyance or inconvenience for you to go out in that dress?"
"Not a bit, I am thoroughly used to it; but it was for your sake."
"If that is all, come along."
"But people will stare at seeing you in company with a common workman."
"Let them stare." And drawing Andre's arm through his, M. de Breulh setoff.
Andre was right; many persons did turn round to look at the fashionablydressed gentleman walking arm in arm with a mason in his working attire,but De Breulh took but little heed, and to all Andre's questions simplysaid, "Wait till we reach my house."
At length they arrived, without having exchanged twenty words, andentering the library closed the door. M. de Breulh did not inflictthe torture of suspense upon his young friend a moment longer than wasnecessary.
"This morning, about twelve o'clock, as I was crossing the Avenue deMatignon, I saw Modeste, who had been waiting for you more than anhour."
"I could not help it."
"I know that. As soon as she saw me, she ran up to me at once. She wasterribly disappointed at not having seen you; but knowing our intimacy,she intrusted me with a letter for you from Mademoiselle de Mussidan."
Andre shuddered; he felt that the note contained evil tidings, withwhich De Breulh was already acquainted. "Give it to me," said he, andwith trembling hands he tore open the letter and perused its contents.
"DEAREST ANDRE,--
"I love you, and shall ever continue to do so, but I have duties--mostholy ones--which I must fulfil; duties which my name and position demandof me, even should the act cost me my life. We shall never meet again inthis world, and this letter is the last one you will ever receive fromme. Before long you will see the announcement of my marriage. Pity me,for great as your wretchedness will be, it will be as nothing comparedto mine. Heaven have mercy upon us both! Andre, try and tear me outof your heart. I have not even the right to die, and oh, my darling,this--this is the last word you will ever receive from your poor unhappy
"SABINE."
If M. de Breulh had insisted upon taking Andre home with him before hehanded him the letter, it was because Modeste had given him some inklingof its contents. He feared that the effect would be tremendous uponnerves so highly strung and sensitive as those of Andre. But he neednot have been alarmed on this point. As the young painter mastered thecontents of the letter his features became ghastly pale, and a shudderconvulsed every nerve and muscle of his frame. With a mechanical gesturehe extended the paper to M. de Breulh, uttering the one word, "Read."
His friend obeyed him, more alarmed by Andre's laconism than he couldhave been by some sudden explosion of passion.
"Do not lose heart," exclaimed he.
But Andre interrupted him. "Lose heart!" said he; "you do not know me.When Sabine was ill, perhaps dying, far away from me, I did feel castdown; but now that she tells me that she loves me, my feelings are of anentirely different nature."
M. de Breulh was about to speak, but Andre went on.
"What is this marriage contract which my poor Sabine announces to me, asif it was her death-warrant? Her parents must all along have intendedto break with you, but you were beforehand with them. Can they havereceived a more advantageous offer of marriage already? It is scarcelylikely. When she confided the secret of her life to you, she certainlyknew nothing of this. What terrible event has happened since then? Mybrave Sabine would never have submitted unless some coercion had beenused that she could not struggle against; she would rather have quittedher father's house for ever."
As Andre uttered these words De Breulh's mind was busy with similarreflections, for Modeste had given him some hint of the approachingmarriage, and had begged him to be most careful how he communicated thefacts to Andre.
"You must have noticed," continued the young painter, "the strangecoincidence between Sabine's illness and this note. You left her happyand full of hope, and an hour afterward she falls senseless, as thoughstruck by lightning; as soon as she recovers a little she sends me thisterrible letter. Do you remember that Madame de Bois Arden told us thatduring Sabine's illness her father and mother never left her bedside?Was not this for fear lest some guilty secret of theirs might escape herlips in a crisis of delirium?"
"Yes, I remember that, and I have long had reason to imagine that thereis some terrible family secret in the Mussidans' family, such as we toooften find among the descendants of noble houses."
"What can it be?"
"That I have no means of ascertaining, but that there is one I am sure."
Andre turned away and paced rapidly up and down the room. "Yes," saidhe, suddenly, "there is a mystery; but you and I will leave no stoneunturned until we penetrate it." He drew a chair close to the sideof his friend, who was reclining on a couch. "Listen," said he, "andcorrect me if you fancy that I am not right in what I am saying. Do youbelieve that the most terrible necessity alone has compelled Sabine towrite this letter?"
"Most certainly."
"Both the Count and Countess were willing to accept you as theirson-in-law?"
"Exactly so."
"Could M. de Mussidan have found a more brilliant match for hisdaughter, one who could unite so many advantages of experience andeducation to so enormous a fortune?"
De Breulh could hardly repress a smile.
"I am not wishing to pay you a compliment," said Andre impatiently."Reply to my question."
"Very well then, I admit that according to the opinion of the world, Iwas a most eligible suitor, and that M. de Mussidan would find it hardto replace me."
"Then tell me how it comes about that neither the Count nor the Countesshas made any effort to prevent this rupture?"
"Their pride, perhaps, has been wounded."
"Not so, for Modeste tells us that on the very day you sent the letterthe Count was going to call on you to break off the engagement."
"Yes, that is so, if we are to believe Modeste."
As if to give more emphasis to his words, Andre started to his feet."This," cried he, "this man, who has so suddenly appeared upon thescene, will marry Sabine, not only against her own wil
l, but againstthat of her parents, and for what reason? Who is this man, and what isthe mysterious power that he possesses? His power is too great to springfrom an honorable source. Sabine is sacrificing herself to this man forsome reason or other, and he, like a dastardly cur, is ready to takeadvantage of the nobleness of her heart."
"I admit the correctness of your supposition," said he; "and now, how doyou propose to act?"
"I shall do nothing as yet," answered the young man, with a fierce gleamin his eyes. "Sabine asks me to tear her from my heart. I will affectto do so for the time. Modeste believes in me, and will help me. I havepatience. The villain who has wrecked my life does not know me, andI will only reveal myself upon the day that I hold him helpless in myhand."
"Take care, Andre," urged De Breulh; "a false step would ruin your hopesfor ever."
"I will make none; as soon as I have this man's name, I will insult him;there will be a duel, and I shall kill him--or he me."
"A duel will be the height of madness, and would ruin all your hopes ofmarriage with Sabine."
"The only thing that holds me back is that I do not wish that thereshould be a corpse between Sabine and myself. Blood on a bridal dress,they say, brings misery; and if this man is what I suspect him to be, Ishould be doing him too much honor if I crossed swords with him. No, Imust have a deeper vengeance than this, for I can never forget that henearly caused Sabine's death."
He paused for a few seconds, and once again broke the silence whichreigned in the room.
"To abuse the power that he must possess shows what a miserable wretchhe must be; and men do not attain such a height of infamy by a singlebound. The course of his life must be full of similar crimes, growingdeeper and deadlier as he moves on. I will make it my business to unmaskhim and to hold him up to the scorn and contempt of his fellow-men."
"Yes; that is the plan to pursue."
"And we will do so, sir. Ah! heaven help me! I say 'we,' for I haverelied on you. The generous offer that you made to me I refused, and Iwas in the right in doing so; but I should now be a mere madman if Idid not entreat you to grant me your aid and advice. We have both knownhardship and are capable of going without food or sleep, if necessityrequires it of us. We have both graduated in the school of poverty andsorrow. We can keep our plans to ourselves and act."
Andre paused, as if waiting for a reply, but his friend remained silent.
"My plan is most simple," resumed the young painter. "As soon as we knowthe fellow's name we shall be able to act. He will never suspect us,and we can follow him like his very shadow. There are professionaldetectives who, for a comparatively small sum, will lay bare a man'sentire life. Are we not as clever as this fine fellow? We can work welltogether in our different circles; you, in the world of fashion, canpick up intelligence that I could not hope to gain; while I, from mylowly position, will study the hidden side of his life, for I cantalk to the servants lounging at the front doors or the grooms at thepublic-houses without suspicion."
M. de Breulh was delighted at finding that he could have some occupationwhich would fill up the dreary monotony of his life.
"I am yours!" cried he; "and will work with you heart and soul!"
Before the artist could reply a loud blow was struck upon the librarydoor, and a woman's voice exclaimed,--
"Let me in, Gontran, at once."
"It is Madame de Bois Arden," remarked De Breulh, drawing the bolt back;and the Viscountess rushed hastily into the room and threw herself intoa low chair.
Her beautiful face was bedewed with tears, and she was in a terriblestate of excitement.
"What is the matter, Clotilde?" asked De Breulh kindly, as he took herhand.
"Something terrible," answered she with a sob; "but you may be able tohelp me. Can you lend me twenty thousand francs?"
De Breulh smiled; a heavy weight had been lifted from his heart.
"If that is all you require, do not shed any more tears."
"But I want them at once."
"Can you give me half an hour?"
"Yes; but lose no time."
De Breulh drew a check and despatched his valet for the money.
"A thousand thanks!" said the Viscountess; "but money is not all that Irequire, I want your advice."
Andre was about to leave the cousins together, but the lady stopped him.
"Pray remain, M. Andre," said she; "you are not at all in the way;besides, I shall have to speak of some one in whom you take a very deepinterest--of Mademoiselle de Mussidan, in short.
"I never knew such a strange occurrence," continued the Viscountess,recovering her spirits rapidly, "as that to which, my dear Gontran,you owe my visit. Well, I was just going up to dress, for I had beendetained by visitor after visitor, when at two o'clock another camebefore I could give my order, 'Not at home.' This was the Marquis deCroisenois, the brother of the man who twenty years ago disappeared inso mysterious a manner. I hardly knew him at all, though of course wehave met in society, and he bows to me in the Bois, but that is all."
"And yet he called on you to-day?" remarked De Breulh.
"Don't interrupt me," said the Viscountess. "Yes, he called, and thatis enough. He is good-looking, faultlessly dressed, and talks well. Hebrought a letter from an old friend of my grandmother's, the Marchionessd'Arlanges. She is a dear old thing, she uses awful language, and someof her stories are quite too--you know what I mean. In the letter theold lady said that the Marquis was one of her friends, and begged me forher sake to do him the service he required. Of course I asked him to beseated, and assured him that I would do anything that lay in my power.Then he began talking about M. de Clinchain, and told me a funny storyabout that eccentric man and a little actress, when I heard a greatnoise in the anteroom. I was about to ring and inquire the cause, whenthe door flew open and in came Van Klopen, the ladies' tailor, with avery inflamed countenance. I thought that he had come in a hurry becausehe had hit on something extremely fetching and wished me to be the firstto see it. But do you know what the impudent fellow wanted?"
A smile shone in De Breulh's eyes, as he answered,--
"Money, perhaps!"
"You are right," returned the Viscountess, gravely; "he brought my billinto my very drawing-room, and handed it in before a stranger. I neverthought that a man who supplies the most aristocratic portion of societycould have been guilty of such a piece of impertinence. I ordered himto leave the room, taking it for granted that he would do so with anapology, but I was wrong. He flew into a rage and threatened me, andswore that if I did not settle the bill on the spot, he would go to myhusband. The bill was nearly twenty thousand francs; imagine my horror!I was so thunderstruck at the amount that I absolutely entreated him togive me time. But my humility added to his annoyance, and taking a seatin an armchair, he declared that he would not move from it until hereceived his money, or had seen my husband."
"What was Croisenois doing all this time?" asked M. de Breulh.
"He did nothing at first, but at this last piece of audacity he tookout his pocketbook, and throwing it in Van Klopen's face, said: 'Payyourself, you insolent scoundrel, and get out of this.'"
"And the tailor went off?"
"No. 'I must give you a receipt,' said he, and taking writing materialsfrom his pocket, he wrote at the foot of the bill, 'Received from theMarquis de Croisenois, on account of money owing by the Viscountess deBois Arden, the sum of twenty thousand francs.'"
"Well," said De Breulh, looking very grave, "and after Van Klopen'sdeparture, I suppose Croisenois remained to ask the favor regardingwhich he had called?"
"You are mistaken," answered his cousin. "I had great difficulty inmaking him speak; but at last he confessed that he was deeply in lovewith Mademoiselle de Mussidan, and entreated me to present him to herparents and exert all my influence in his behalf."
Both the young men started.
"That is the man!" cried they.
"What do you mean?" asked the Viscountess, looking from one to theother.
"That your Marquis de Croisenois is a despicable scoundrel, who hadimposed upon the Marchioness d'Arlanges. Just you listen to our reasonsfor coming to this conclusion." And with the most perfect clearness DeBreulh had the whole state of the case before the Viscountess.
The lady listened attentively, and then said,--
"Your premises are wrong; just let me say a word on the matter. You saythat there is some man who by means of the influence that he exercisesover the Count and Countess, can coerce them into granting him Sabine'shand. But, my dear Gontran, an utter stranger to the family could notexercise this power. Now M. de Croisenois has never entered the doors ofthe house, and came to me to ask for an introduction."
The justness of this remark silenced De Breulh, but Andre took anotherview of the matter.
"This seems all right at a first glance, but still, after theextraordinary scene that the Viscountess has described, I should like toask a few questions. Was not Van Klopen's behavior very unexpected?"
"It was brutal and infamous."
"Are you not one of his best customers?"
"I am, and I have spent an enormous sum with him."
"But Van Klopen is nasty sometimes; did he not sue Mademoiselle deRiversac?" asked De Breulh.
"But he did not, I expect, force his way into her drawing-room andbehave outrageously before a perfect stranger. Do you know M. deCroisenois?" returned Andre.
"Very slightly; he is of good family, and his brother George was muchesteemed by all who knew him."
"Has he plenty of money?"
"I do not think so, but in time he will inherit a large fortune; verylikely he is over head and ears in debt."
"And yet he had twenty thousand francs in his pocketbook; is not thatrather a large sum to carry when you are simply making a morning call?and it is curious, too, that it should have been the exact sum wanted.Then there is another point; the pocketbook was hurled into Van Klopen'sface. Did he submit without a word to such treatment?"
"He certainly said nothing," replied Madame de Bois Arden.
"One question more, if you please. Did Van Klopen open the book andcount the notes before he gave the receipt?"
The Viscountess thought for a moment.
"I was a good deal excited," said she at length, "but I am almost surethat I saw no notes in Van Klopen's hands."
Andre's face grew radiant.
"Good, very good; he was told to pay himself, and yet he never lookedto see if the money was there, but gave a receipt at once. Of course, asVan Klopen kept the pocketbook, the Marquis could have had nothing in itbesides the exact sum that was required."
"It does seem odd," muttered De Breulh.
"But," said Andre, "your bill was not exactly twenty thousand francs,was it?"
"No," answered the Viscountess. "I ought to have had change to theamount of a hundred or a hundred and twenty francs, but I suppose he wastoo much excited to give it me."
"But for all that he could remember that he had writing materials withhim, and gave you a receipt?"
The Viscountess was utterly bewildered.
"And," continued Andre, "how is it that Van Klopen knew De Croisenois'name? And now, lastly, where is the receipt?"
Madame de Bois Arden turned very pale and trembled violently.
"Ah," said she, "I felt sure that something was going to happen, and itwas on this very point that I wanted your advice. Well, I have not gotthe receipt. M. de Croisenois crumpled it up in his hand and threw iton the table. After a while, however, he took it up and put it in hispocket."
"It is all perfectly clear," said Andre in jubilant tones; "M. deCroisenois had need of your aid, he saw that he could not easily obtainit, and so sought to bind you by the means of a loan made to you at atime of great need."
"You are right," said De Breulh.
The Viscountess' giddy mode of action had brought her into many scrapes,but never into so terrible a one as this.
"Great heavens!" cried she, "what do you think that M. de Croisenoiswill do with this receipt?"
"He will do nothing," answered M. de Breulh, "if you do everything toadvance his suit; but pause for an instant, and he will show the hand ofsteel which has up to now been covered by the velvet glove."
"I am not alarmed at a new slander?" returned the Viscountess.
"And why not?" answered De Breulh. "You know very well that in thesedays of lavish expenditure and unbridled luxury there are many womenin society who are so basely vile that they ruin their lovers withas little compunction as their frailer sisters. To-morrow even DeCroisenois may say at the club, 'On my word that little Bois Arden costsme a tremendous lot,' and hands about this receipt for twenty thousandfrancs. What do you imagine that people will think then?"
"The world knows me too well to think so ill of me."
"No, no, Clotilde, there is no charity in society; they will simplysay that you are his mistress, and finding that the allowance from yourhusband is not enough for your needs, you are ruining your lover. Therewill be a significant laugh among the members, and in time, a very shorttime, the scandal in a highly sensational form will come to the ears ofyour husband."
The Viscountess wrung her hands.
"It is too horrible," wailed she. "And do you know that Bois Arden wouldput the worst construction on the whole affair, for he declares that awoman will sacrifice anything in order to outshine her sex in dress. Ah,I will never run up another bill anywhere; tell me, Gontran, what I hadbetter do. Can you not get the receipt from De Croisenois?"
M. de Breulh paused for a moment and then replied, "Of course I could doso, but such a step would be very damaging to your reputation. I have noproof; and if I went to him, he would deny everything of course, and itwould make him your enemy for life."
"Besides," added Andre, "you would put him on his guard, and he wouldescape us."
The unhappy woman glanced from one to the other in utter despair.
"Then I am lost," she exclaimed. "Am I to remain for the rest of my daysin this villain's power?"
"Not so," returned Andre, "for I hope soon to put it out of M. deCroisenois' power to injure any one. What did he say when he asked youto introduce him to the Mussidans?"
"Nothing pointed."
"Then, madame, do not disturb yourself to-night. So long as he hopes youwill be useful, so long he will stay his hand. Do as he wishes; neverallude to the receipt; introduce him and speak well of him, while I,aided by M. de Breulh, will do my utmost to unmask this scoundrel; andas long as he believes himself to be in perfect security, our task willbe an easy one."
Just then the servant returned from the bank, and as soon as the man hadleft the room De Breulh took the notes and placed them in his cousin'shand.
"Here is the money for De Croisenois," said he. "Take my advice, andgive it to him this evening with a polite letter of thanks."
"A thousand thanks, Gontran; I will act as you advise."
"Remember you must not allude in your letter to his introduction to theMussidans. What do you think, Andre?"
"I think a receipt for the money would be a great thing," answered he.
"But such a demand would arouse his suspicions."
"I think not, madame, and I see a way of doing it; have you a maid uponwhom you could rely?"
"Yes, I have one."
"Good, then give the girl a letter and the notes done up in a separateparcel, and tell her exactly what she is to do. When she sees theMarquis, let her pretend to be alarmed at the great responsibility thatshe is incurring in carrying this large sum, and insist upon a receiptfor her own protection."
"There is sound sense in that," said De Breulh.
"Yes, yes," said the Viscountess, "Josephine will do--as sharp a girl asyou could find in a day's journey--and will manage the thing admirably.Trust to me," she continued, as a smile of hope spread over her face;"I will keep De Croisenois in a good humor; he will confide in me, andI will tell you everything. But, oh dear! what shall I do without VanKlopen? Why, there is not another man in
Paris fit to stand in hisshoes."
With these words the Viscountess rose to leave.
"I am completely worn out," remarked she; "and I have a dinner-partyto-night. Good-bye then, until we meet again;" and with her spiritsevidently as joyous as ever, she tripped into her carriage.
"Now," said Andre, as soon as they were once more alone, "we are onthe track of De Croisenois. He evidently holds Madame de Mussidan as heholds Madame de Bois Arden. His is a really honorable mode of action; hesurprises a secret, and then turns extortioner."