“This is more than enough to begin the campaign. Now you must give me
the name and address of your tradesmen in Passy.”
“You will find a list in a small pocket-book which is in the same drawer
with the keys. In the same drawer are also all the deeds and other
papers concerning the house. Finally, you might take Anthony with you:
he is devoted to me.”
“I shall certainly take him, if you permit me,” replied the lawyer. Then
putting up his notes, he added,--
“I shall not be absent more than three or four days; and, as soon as I
return, we will draw up our plan of defence. Till then, my dear client,
keep up your courage.”
They called Blangin to open the door for them; and, after having shaken
hands with Jacques de Boiscoran, M. Folgat and M. Magloire went away.
“Well, are we going down now?” asked the jailer.
But Jacques made no reply.
He had most ardently hoped for his mother’s visit; and now, when he
was about to see her, he felt assailed by all kinds of vague and sombre
apprehensions. The last time he had kissed her was in Paris, in the
beautiful parlor of their family mansion. He had left her, his heart
swelling with hopes and joy, to go to his Dionysia; and his mother, he
remembered distinctly, had said to him, “I shall not see you again till
the day before the wedding.”
And now she was to see him again, in the parlor of a jail, accused of an
abominable crime. And perhaps she was doubtful of his innocence.
“Sir, the marchioness is waiting for you,” said the jailer once more. At
the man’s voice, Jacques trembled.
“I am ready,” he replied: “let us go!” And, while descending the stairs,
he tried his best to compose his features, and to arm himself with
courage and calmness.
“For,” he said, “She must not become aware of it, how horrible my
position is.”