Peyrolles, with a grimace, again consented to be frank: "As Mademoiselle
de Nevers is not proved to be dead, the law assumes her to be alive, and
it is as the guardian of this impalpable young person that my dear master
handles the revenues of Nevers. If she were certainly dead, my master
would inherit."
Æsop still required information. "Then why the devil does he want to
prove that she lives?"
There was again a touch of condescension in Peyrolles's manner: "You are
not so keen as you think, good Æsop. Mademoiselle de Nevers, recovered,
restored to her mother's arms, the recognized heiress of so much wealth,
might seem to be a very lucky young woman. But even lucky young women are
not immortal."
Æsop chuckled. "Oh, oh, oh! If the lost-and-found young lady were to die
soon after her recovery the good Louis de Gonzague would inherit without
further question. I fear my little gypsy is not promised a long life."