THE SNARE.
After the departure of Madame de Saint-Dizier and the marquis, Adrienne had remained in her aunt's apartment with M.Baleinier and Baron Tripeaud.
On hearing of the commissary's arrival, Mdlle.de Cardoville had felt considerable uneasiness; for there could be no doubt that, as Agricola had apprehended, this magistrate was come to search the hotel and extension, in order to find the smith, whom he believed to be concealed there.
Though she looked upon Agricola's hiding-place as a very safe one, Adrienne was not quite tranquil on his account; so in the event of any unfortunate accident, she thought it a good opportunity to recommend the refugee to the doctor, an intimate friend, as we have said, of one of the most influential ministers of the day.So, drawing near to the physician, who was conversing in a low voice with the baron, she said to him in her softest and most coaxing manner: "My good M.Baleinier, I wish to speak a few words with you." She pointed to the deep recess of one of the windows.
"I am at your orders, madame," answered the doctor, as he rose to follow Adrienne to the recess.
M.Tripeaud, who, no longer sustained by the abbe's presence, dreaded the young lady as he did fire, was not sorry for this diversion.To keep up appearances, he stationed himself before one of the sacred pictures, and began again to contemplate it, as if there were no bounds to his admiration.
When Mdlle.de Cardoville was far enough from the baron, not to be overheard by him, she said to the physician, who, all smiles and benevolence, waited for her to explain: "My good doctor, you are my friend, as you were my father's.Just now, notwithstanding the difficulty of your position, you had the courage to show yourself my only partisan."
"Not at all, madame; do not go and say such things!" cried the doctor, affecting a pleasant kind of anger."Plague on't! you would get me into a pretty scrape; so pray be silent on that subject.Vade retro Satanas!-
-which means: Get thee behind me, charming little demon that you are!"
"Do not be afraid," answered Adrienne, with a smile; "I will not compromise you.Only allow me to remind you, that you have often made me offers of service, and spoken to me of your devotion."
"Put me to the test--and you will see if I do not keep my promises."
"Well, then! give me a proof on the instant," said Adrienne, quickly.
"Capital! this is how I like to be taken at my word.What can I do for you?"
"Are you still very intimate with your friend the minister?"
"Yes; I am just treating him for a loss of voice, which he always has, the day they put questions to him in the house.He likes it better."
"I want you to obtain from him something very important for me."
"For you? pray, what is it?"
"At this instant, the valet entered the room, delivered a letter to M.
Baleinier, and said to him: "A footman has just brought this letter for you, sir; it is very pressing."
The physician took the letter, and the servant went out.
"This is one of the inconveniences of merit," said Adrienne, smiling;
"they do not leave you a moment's rest, my poor doctor."
"Do not speak of it, madame," said the physician, who could not conceal a start of amazement, as he recognized the writing of D'Aigrigny; "these patients think we are made of iron, and have monopolized the health which they so much need.They have really no mercy.With your permission, madame," added M.Baleinier, looking at Adrienne before he unsealed the letter.
Mdlle.de Cardoville answered by a graceful nod.Marquis d'Aigrigny's letter was not long; the doctor read it at a single glance, and, notwithstanding his habitual prudence, he shrugged his shoulders, and said hastily: "Today! why, it's impossible.He is mad."
"You speak no doubt of some poor patient, who has placed all his hopes in you--who waits and calls for you at this moment.Come, my dear M.
Baleinier, do not reject his prayer.It is so sweet to justify the confidence we inspire."
There was at once so much analogy, and such contradiction, between the object of this letter, written just before by Adrienne's most implacable enemy, and these words of commiseration which she spoke in a touching voice, that Dr.Baleinier himself could not help being struck with it.
He looked at Mdlle.de Cardoville with an almost embarrassed air, as he replied: "I am indeed speaking of one of my patients, who counts much upon me--a great deal too much--for he asks me to do an impossibility.
But why do you feel so interested in an unknown person?"
"If he is unfortunate, I know enough to interest me.The person for whom I ask your assistance with the minister, was quite as little known to me;
and now I take the deepest interest in him.I must tell you, that he is the son of the worthy soldier who brought Marshal Simon's daughters from the heart of Siberia."
"What! he is--"
"An honest workman, the support of his family; but I must tell you all about it--this is how the affair took place."
The confidential communication which Adrienne was going to make to the doctor, was cut short by Madame Saint-Dizier, who, followed by M.
d'Aigrigny, opened abruptly the door.An expression of infernal joy, hardly concealed beneath a semblance of extreme indignation, was visible in her countenance.
M.d'Aigrigny threw rapidly, as he entered the apartment, an inquiring and anxious glance at M.Baleinier.The doctor answered by a shake of the head.The abbe bit his lips with silent rage; he had built his last hopes upon the doctor, and his projects seemed now forever annihilated, notwithstanding the new blow which the princess had in reserve for Adrienne.
"Gentlemen," said Madame de Saint-Dizier, in a sharp, hurried voice, for she was nearly choking with wicked pleasure, "gentlemen, pray be seated!
I have some new and curious things to tell you, on the subject of this young lady." She pointed to her niece, with a look of ineffable hatred and disdain.