VIII.
Roch Plancoet lived in some modest rooms at the corner of the Rue RoyerCollard, but a few steps from the house occupied by Madame Verdon andher daughter. He might have chosen more expensive quarters, for hepossessed a small fortune, honestly and laboriously acquired during hislong service as superintendent of the Verdon ironworks. But Roch was aphilosopher who scorned luxury and adored solitude. He led a quiet life,and he devoted his time and attention almost exclusively to his friends,Gabrielle and Albert--the children of his foster-brother and benefactor.Gabrielle especially was the object of his almost fatherly solicitude.He visited her every day, and her portrait hung in his sitting-room.With her mother, strange to say, he was always very reserved, though hewillingly served her when she asked him to do so, which seldom happened,however. The only favour he had ever asked of her, was permission to seeher daughter every day, and she had never dared to refuse that, perhapsbecause she feared him. Roch had held the position of superintendent atthe ironworks when she married M. Verdon; and he was too well acquaintedwith all the incidents of her life, for her to quarrel with him. Whenshe had informed him of her intention to marry M. Rochas, he had repliedthat she was perfectly free to contract a second marriage if shepleased, and that if she wished to leave her children he would takecharge of them. Then, however, had come the announcement of Gabrielle'sengagement to George Caumont. George had had the rare good fortune toplease Plancoet, and that was a good deal, for the old fellow was veryhard to please as far as his favourite's suitors were concerned.However, although Roch had abundant cause for rejoicing at this goodnews, at least apparently, he returned home thoughtful and preoccupied,and for twenty-four hours merely set foot out of doors to take his mealsat a neighbouring restaurant. On the following afternoon, while he wassitting at his window smoking a pipe, Albert Verdon rang at the door.The young officer seemed to be in a state of great excitement, and Rochanxiously asked him: "What is the matter?"
"Ah! my poor friend, you are the only person to whom I can tell thetruth," replied Albert. "You know all about my mother's conduct. Well, Ihave just seen a letter written by her to a lover--"
"To Rochas?" asked Plancoet, eagerly.
"No, no--to that man Dargental whom I spoke to you about, and who waskilled in his rooms a fortnight ago." On hearing this Plancoet staggeredback to the-wall. "Yes," resumed Albert fiercely, "to a scamp who tradedon women! A professional black mailer! Ah! the truth is so horrible thaton making this discovery I at first thought of flinging myself into theSeine."
"You haven't seen your mother since?" asked Plancoet.
"No, I lacked the courage; I wanted to ask your advice. Come, tell me,did you ever know that my mother carried on an intrigue with that manDargental?"
"I know all that your mother has done since she became a widow," repliedPlancoet, gravely, and then after a little pressing from Albert heproceeded to tell the poor fellow the story of Madame Verdon'sprofligacy. She had been Dargental's mistress for a time, but he haddeserted her for Madame de Lescombat whom he hoped to marry, not,however, without having extorted large sums of money from her, bythreatening her with the publication of her correspondence. In fact,only shortly before his death, he had threatened to send her letters toGabrielle.
Albert was crushed by the sad narrative. At last, however, he musteredstrength enough to inform Plancoet of Puymirol's arrest, of the scene atBlanche's house, and the attendant discovery, and of Caumont's presentwillingness to confide the letters to his keeping. "You must take them,"said the young fellow, "and go and see my mother--force her to leaveParis in three days' time, and make her promise to marry M. Rochasabroad, without delay. If she refuses, you may tell her that she willcertainly be implicated in the murder of M. Dargental."
"And if she consents?"
"Then you can burn the letters or keep them as you like. But come now,George is waiting for us to hand you the notes."
Roch's face had abruptly assumed an expression of resolution. He did notraise any objection but quietly followed Albert to the LuxembourgGardens where Caumont indeed was waiting. "My dear fellow," said youngVerdon to his future brother-in-law, without more ado, "we are all ofthe same mind. You know my intentions, and my old friend Roch will seethat they are carried out. Will you therefore give him the envelopecontaining the letters?"
George handed it to Plancoet, who accepted the trust without hesitation."Are they all here?" he inquired.
"Yes, all three of them," replied the lieutenant. "Break the seal andsee for yourself, if you like."
"That is unnecessary; your word is sufficient. But I should be greatlyobliged to Monsieur Caumont if he would tell me how his friend Monsieurde Puymirol is getting on."
"His situation remains unchanged. He has been subjected to repeatedexaminations, but the magistrate has so far come to no decision."
"And your friend has said nothing about the letters?" inquired Plancoet.
"No; and yet, I fancy they would be the only means of saving him."
"Then why doesn't he mention them?"
"Probably because he doesn't wish to compromise the Countess deLescombat. Perhaps, also, he doesn't want to mix me up in thisunfortunate affair. If he spoke of the letters the magistrate wouldinstantly suspect that he had intrusted them to me."
"And do you think that he will remain silent until the end?--that hewill let himself be sent before the assizes rather than speak out."
"I feel sure of it. He has many faults, but nothing can subjugate orintimidate him. I know him so well that yesterday I made up my mind tointerfere and extricate him from his predicament despite himself; butnow I can do nothing for fear of involving Albert's mother in thescandal. He is lost!"
Plancoet, visibly agitated, dropped his eyes. "I feel sure that althoughMadame Verdon may be very guilty she did not instigate Dargental'smurder," he said after a short silence.
"Then who could have instigated it--Rochas?"
"I think not. He would not imperil his life to save a woman's honour.But Albert has told you, I suppose, what he wishes me to do?"
"Yes, sir, and I thoroughly approve of his decision."
"And you are still determined to marry Mademoiselle Verdon?"
"More determined than ever, if she will have me."
"But you are aware that two other persons know that the pocket-book hasbeen found, and are acquainted with the contents of the lettersintrusted to you by your friend."
"Blanche Pornic will be silent. I can vouch for her," interrupted theyoung officer. "And Madame de Lescombat also realizes that it is to herinterest to do the same."
"I can proceed to act, then," muttered Plancoet, as if talking tohimself.
"I trust you will do so without delay," replied Albert. "My mother isnow at home and so is Gabrielle, but you can say that you wish to see mymother alone."
"If you have an opportunity of exchanging a few words in private withMademoiselle Verdon, pray tell her that my feelings are unchanged," saidGeorge to Plancoet.
"I will readily promise you that; and now, as you are acquainted withthe habits of the investigating magistrate, will you tell me at whathour I should be likely to find him in his office?"
"Oh! my friend Balmer assured me that he would be in his office allday."
"But why do you wish to know that?" interrupted the lieutenant. "Isuppose you have no idea of requesting him to release Puymirol?"
"Certainly not," stammered Plancoet.
"Then hasten to my mother's without delay. Now's your time, but when andwhere shall we see you again?"
"I am afraid the interview will prove a lengthy one."
"Ah, well, George and I will return here at five o'clock. So good-byefor the present, old friend."
"Farewell," replied Plancoet, pressing the hands the two young men heldout to him.
With his head bowed down, the old overseer walked slowly towards MadameVerdon's abode. Gabrielle was upon the balcony, and on seeing him shehastened to the door and let him in. "What is happening?" she askedanxio
usly. "Just now I received a letter from Albert who tells me heshall come and fetch me at nine o'clock to-night to take me to hiscolonel's sister, in the Rue de Tournon, for he won't let me stay hereany longer."
"Listen, my poor girl," replied Roch, "you must do as your brotherasks--besides, it is absolutely necessary, for your mother will leaveParis to-morrow."
"To-morrow! but why? That's strange, she surely does not intend toabscond like a criminal?"
"Some transgressions have the same consequence as crimes," said Rochsadly; "believe me--don't try to guess the truth but believe me when Itell you that you must not remain another day under your mother's roof.I swear it by your poor father's memory, by your brother's honour and myown--"
Gabrielle was beginning to understand and tears gathered in her eyes."Ah!" she murmured in a tone of deep grief.
"But Albert and your future husband will some day tell you more.However, is your mother at home?"
"Yes, in her boudoir."
"Well, I wish to see her and am going there. But before we part let mekiss you and promise me that you will be brave." Then having pressed thepoor girl to his heart and imprinted a paternal kiss on her brow heproceeded to Madame Verdon's boudoir.
His interview with the guilty mother was a stormy one--but finally hewrung from her an unwilling compliance with Albert's wishes, andpromised her that he would place her letter to Dargental in an envelopeand deposit it with his notary, who would hand it to her in exchange forher written consent to Gabrielle's marriage with George Caumont. Thenhe hastily left the house, returned home, placed Blanche's and Madame deLescombat's notes in one envelope addressed to George, and MadameVerdon's in another, and after writing some instructions for his notary,he forthwith repaired to the latter's office. When he left it he pausedfor an instant, but instead of returning to the Luxembourg to acquainthis young friends with the success of his mission, he finally crossedthe Pont St. Michel and proceeded towards the Palais de Justice.
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