He took his hat, and then, at the moment of going out, said: "I will
try to settle the difficulty with the nephew for fifty thousand francs,
eh?"
She replied, with dignity: "No. Give him the hundred thousand francs he
asks. Take them from my share, if you like."
He muttered, shamefacedly: "Oh, no; we will share that. Giving up fifty
thousand francs apiece, there still remains to us a clear million." He
added: "Good-bye, then, for the present, Made." And he went off to
explain to the notary the plan which he asserted had been imagined by
his wife.
They signed the next day a deed of gift of five hundred thousand francs,
which Madeleine Du Roy abandoned to her husband. On leaving the notary's
office, as the day was fine, George suggested that they should walk as
far as the boulevards. He showed himself pleasant and full of attention
and affection. He laughed, pleased at everything, while she remained
thoughtful and somewhat severe.
It was a somewhat cool autumn day. The people in the streets seemed in a
hurry, and walked rapidly. Du Roy led his wife to the front of the shop
in which he had so often gazed at the longed-for chronometer. "Shall I
stand you some jewelry?" said he.