Indeed, at this moment, Bathsheba entered, holding in her arms the cedar-
wood chest, which contained the securities in question; she placed it upon the table, and withdrew, after exchanging an affectionate glance with Samuel.When the latter declared the enormous amount of the sum in hand, his words were received with silent stupor.All the actors in this scene, except himself, believed that they were the sport of some delusion.Father d'Aigrigny and Rodin had counted upon forty millions.
This sum, in itself enormous, was more than quintupled.Gabriel, when he heard the notary read those passages in the testament, which spoke of a princely fortune, being quite ignorant of the prodigious effects of eligible investments, had valued the property at some three or four millions.He was, therefore, struck dumb with amazement at the exorbitant amount named.Notwithstanding his admirable disinterestedness and scrupulous honor, he felt dazzled and giddy at the thought, that all these immense riches might have belonged to him--alone.The notary, almost as much amazed as Gabriel, examined the statement, and could hardly believe his eyes.The Jew also remained mute, and seemed painfully absorbed in thought, that no other heir made his appearance.
In the depth of this profound silence, the clock in the next room began slowly to strike twelve.Samuel started, and heaved a deep sigh.A few seconds more, and the fatal term would be at an end.Rodin, Father d'Aigrigny, Gabriel, and the notary, were all under the influence of such complete surprise, that not one of them even remarked how strange it was to hear the sound of this clock.
"Noon!" cried Rodin, as, by an involuntary movement, he hastily placed his two hands upon the casket, as if to take possession of it.
"At last!" cried Father d'Aigrigny, with an expression of joy, triumph transport, which it is impossible to describe.Then he added, as he threw himself into Gabriel's arms, whom he embraced warmly: "Oh, my dear son! how the poor will bless you! You will be a second Vincent de Paul.
You will be canonized, I promise you."
"Let us first thank Providence," said Rodin, in a grave and solemn tone, as he fell upon his knees, "let us thank Providence, that He has permitted so much wealth to be employed for His glory!"'
Father d'Aigrigny, having again embraced Gabriel, took him by the hand, and said: "Rodin is right.Let us kneel, my dear son, and render thanks to Providence!"
So saying, Father d'Aigrigny knelt down, dragging Gabriel with him, and the latter, confused and giddy with so many precipitate events, yielded mechanically to the impulse.It was the last stroke of twelve when they all rose together.
Then said the notary, in a slightly agitated voice, for there was something extraordinary and solemn in this scene "No other heir of M.Marius de Rennepont having presented himself, before noon on this day, I execute the will of the testator, by declaring, in the name of law and justice, that M.Francois Marie Gabriel de Rennepont, here present, is the sole heir and possessor of all the estate, real and personal, bequeathed under the said will; all which estate the said Gabriel de Rennepont, priest, has freely and voluntarily made over by deed of gift to Frederic Emanuel de Bordeville, Marquis d'Aigrigny, priest, who has accepted the same, and is, therefore, the only legal holder of such property, in the room of the said Gabriel de Rennepont, by virtue of the said deed, drawn up and engrossed by me this morning, and signed in my presence by the said Gabriel de Rennepont and Frederic d'Aigrigny."
At this moment, the sound of loud voices was heard from the garden.
Bathsheba entered hastily, and said to her husband with an agitated air:
"Samuel--a soldier--who insists--"
She had not time to finish.Dagobert appeared at the door of the Red Room.The soldier was fearfully pale.He seemed almost fainting; his left arm was in a sling, and he leaned upon Agricola.At sight of Dagobert, the pale and flabby eyelids of Rodin were suddenly distended, as if all the blood in his body had flowed towards the head.Then the socius threw himself upon the casket, with the haste of ferocious rage and avidity, as if he were resolved to cover it with his body, and defend it at the peril of his life.
[20] This term is sanctioned by legal usage.