Husband and wife had long been almost totally estranged, and ledalmost separate existences. Dr. Hortebise was well aware of this, incommon with others who moved in society. Upon the appearance of thedoctor, the Countess dropped the book she had been perusing, and gavevent to an exclamation of delight. "Ah, doctor, this is really verykind of you;" and at the same time signed to the servant to place achair for the visitor.
The Countess was tall and slender, and at forty-five had the figure ofa girl. She had an abundance of fair hair, the color of whichconcealed the silver threads which plentifully interspersed it. Asubtle perfume hung about her, and her pale blue eyes were full ofpride and cold disdain.
"You know how to time your visits so well, doctor!" said she. "I amthoroughly bored, and am utterly weary of books, for it always seemsto me, when I read, that I had perused the same thing before somewhereor other. You have arrived at so opportune a moment, that you appearto be a favorite of timely chance."The doctor was indeed a favorite of chance; but the name of the chancewas Baptiste Mascarin.
"I see so few visitors," continued Madame de Mussidan, "that hardlyany one comes to see me. I must really set aside one day in the weekfor my at home; for when I do happen to stay at home, I feel fearfullydull and lonely. For two mortal hours I have been in this room. I havebeen nursing the Count."The doctor knew better than this; but he smiled pleasantly, and said,"Perfectly so," exactly at the right moment.
"Yes," continued the Countess, "my husband slipped on the stairs, andhurt himself very much. Our doctor says it is nothing; but then I putlittle faith in what doctors say.""I know that by experience, madame," replied Hortebise.
"Present company of course always excepted; but, do you know, I oncereally believed in you; but your sudden conversion to homeopathy quitefrightened me."The doctor smiled. "It is as safe a mode of practice as any other.""Do you really think so?""I am perfectly sure of it.""Well, now that you /are/ here, I am half inclined to ask youradvice.""I trust that you are not suffering.""No, thank heaven; I have never any cause to complain of my health;but I am very anxious about Sabine's state."Her affection of maternal solicitude was a charming pendant to herdisplay of conjugal affection, and again the doctor's expression ofassent came in in the right place.
"Yes, for a month, doctor, I have hardly seen Sabine, I have been somuch engaged; but yesterday I met her, and was quite shocked at thechange in her appearance.""Did you ask her what ailed her?""Of course, and she said, 'Nothing,' adding that she was perfectlywell.""Perhaps something had vexed her?""She,--why, don't you know that every one likes her, and that she isone of the happiest girls in Paris; but I want you to see her in spiteof that." She rang the bell as she spoke, and as soon as the footmanmade his appearance, said, "Lubin, ask Mademoiselle to have thegoodness to step downstairs.""Mademoiselle has gone out, madame.""Indeed! how long ago?""About three o'clock, madame.""Who went with her?""Her maid, Modeste.""Did Mademoiselle say where she was going to?""No, madame.""Very well, you can go."Even the imperturbable doctor was rather surprised at a girl ofeighteen being permitted so much freedom.
"It is most annoying," said the Countess. "However, let us hope thatthe trifling indisposition, regarding which I wished to consult you,will not prevent her marriage."Here was the opening that Hortebise desired.
"Is Mademoiselle going to be married?" asked he with an air ofrespectful curiosity.
"Hush!" replied Madame de Mussidan, placing her finger on her lips;"this is a profound secret, and there is nothing definitely arranged;but you, as a doctor, are a perfect father confessor, and I feel thatI can trust you. Let me whisper to you that it is quite possible thatSabine will be Madame de Breulh-Faverlay before the close of theyear."Hortebise had not Mascarin's courage; indeed, he was frequentlyterrified at his confederate's projects; but having once given in hisadherence, he was to be relied on, and did not hesitate for a moment.
"I confess, madame, that I heard that mentioned before;" returned hecautiously.
"And, pray, who was your informant?""Oh, I have had it from many sources; and let me say at once that itwas this marriage, and no mere chance, that brought me here to-day."Madame de Mussidan liked the doctor and his pleasant and wittyconversation very much, and was always charmed to see him; but it wasintolerable that he should venture to interfere in her daughter'smarriage. "Really, sir, you confer a great honor upon the Count andmyself," answered she haughtily.
Her severe manner, however, did not cause the doctor to lose histemper. He had come to say certain things in a certain manner. He hadlearned his part, and nothing that the Countess could say wouldprevent his playing it.
"I assure you, madame," returned he, "that when I accepted the missionwith which I am charged, I only did so from my feelings of respect toyou and yours.""You are really very kind," answered the Countess superciliously.
"And I am sure, madame, that after you have heard what I have to say,you will have even more reason to agree with me." His manner as hesaid this was so peculiar, that the Countess started as though she hadreceived a galvanic shock. "For more than twenty-five years," pursuedthe doctor, "I have been the constant depositary of strange familysecrets, and some of them have been very terrible ones. I have oftenfound myself in a very delicate position, but never in such anembarrassing one as I am now.""You alarm me," said the Countess, dropping her impatient manner.
"If, madame, what I have come to relate to you are the mere ravings ofa lunatic, I will offer my most sincere apologies; but if, on thecontrary, his statements are true--and he has irrefragable proofs inhis possession,--then, madame----""What then, doctor?""Then, madame, I can only say, make every use of me, for I willwillingly place my life at your disposal."The Countess uttered a laugh as artificial as the tears of long-expectant heirs. "Really," said she, "your solemn air and tones almostkill me with laughter.""She laughs too heartily, and at the wrong time. Mascarin is right,"thought the doctor. "I trust, madame," continued he, "that I too maylaugh at my own imaginary fears; but whatever may be the result,permit me to remind you that a little time back you said that a doctorwas a father confessor; for, like a priest, the physician only hearssecrets in order to forget them. He is also more fitted to console andadvise, for, as his profession brings him into contact with thefrailties and passions of the world, he can comprehend and excuse.""And you must not forget, doctor, that like the priest also, hepreaches very long sermons."As she uttered this sarcasm, there was a jesting look upon herfeatures, but it elicited no smile from Hortebise, who, as heproceeded, grew more grave.
"I may be foolish," he said; "but I had better be that than reopensome old wound.""Do not be afraid, doctor; speak out.""Then, I will begin by asking if you have any remembrance of a youngman in your own sphere of society, who, at the time of your marriage,was well known in every Parisian /salon/. I speak of the Marquis deCroisenois."The Countess leaned back in her chair, and contracted her brow, andpursed up her lips, as though vainly endeavoring to remember the name.
"The Marquis de Croisenois?" repeated she. "It seems as if----no--waita moment. No; I cannot say that I can call any such person to mind."The doctor felt that he must give the spur to this rebellious memory.
"Yes, Croisenois," he repeated. "His Christian name was George, and hehad a brother Henry, whom you certainly must know, for this winter Isaw him at the Duchess de Laumeuse's, dancing with your daughter.""You are right; I remember the name now."Her manner was indifferent and careless as she said this.
"Then perhaps you also recollect that some twenty-three years ago,George de Croisenois vanished suddenly. This disappearance caused aterrible commotion at the time, and was one of the chief topics ofsociety.""Ah! indeed?" mused the Countess.
"He was last seen at the Café de Paris, where he dined with somefriends. About nine he got up to leave. One of his friends proposed togo with him, but he begged him not to do so, saying, 'Perhaps I shallsee you later on at the opera, but do not count on me.' The generalimpression was that he was going to some love tryst.""His friends thought that, I suppose.""Yes, for he was attired with more care than usual, though he wasalways one of the best dressed men in Paris. He went out alone, andwas never seen again.""Never again," repeated the Countess, a slight shade passing acrossher brow.
"Never again," echoed the unmoved doctor. "At first his friends merelythought his absence strange; but at the end of a week they grewanxious.""You go very much into details.""I heard them all at the time, madame, and they were only brought backto my memory this morning. All are to be found in the records of aminute search that the authorities caused to be made into the affair.
The friends of De Croisenois had commenced the search; but when theyfound their efforts useless, they called in the aid of the police. Thefirst idea was suicide: George might have gone into some lonely spotand blown out his brains. There was no reason for this; he had amplemeans, and always appeared contented and happy. Then it was believedthat a murder had been committed, and fresh inquiries were instituted,but nothing could be discovered--nothing."The Countess affected to stifle a yawn, and repeated like an echo,"Nothing.""Three months later, when the police had given up the matter indespair, one of George de Croisenois' friends received a letter fromhim."'He was not dead then, after all?"Dr. Hortebise made a mental note of the tone and manner of theCountess, to consider over at his leisure.
"Who can say?" returned he. "The envelope bore the Cairo post-mark. Init George declared that, bored with Parisian life, he was going tostart on an exploring expedition to Central Africa, and that no oneneed be anxious about him. People thought this letter highlysuspicious. A man does not start upon such an expedition as thiswithout money; and it was conclusively proved that on the day of DeCroisenois' disappearance he had not more than a thousand francs abouthim, half of which was in Spanish doubloons, won at whist beforedinner. The letter was therefore regarded as a trick to turn thepolice off the scent; but the best experts asserted that thehandwriting was George's own. Two detectives were at once despatchedto Cairo, but neither there nor anywhere on the road were any tracesof the missing man discovered."As the doctor spoke, he kept his eyes riveted on the Countess, but herface was impassable.
"Is that all?" asked she.
Dr. Hortebise paused a few moments before he replied, and thenanswered slowly,--"A man came to me yesterday, and asserts that you can tell me what hasbecome of George de Croisenois."A man could not have displayed the nerve evinced by this frail andtender woman, for however callous he may be, some feature will betraythe torture he is enduring; but a woman can often turn a smiling faceupon the person who is racking her very soul. At the mere name ofMontlouis the Count had staggered, as though crushed down by a blowfrom a sledge hammer; but at this accusation of Hortebise the Countessburst into a peal of laughter, apparently perfectly frank and natural,which utterly prevented her from replying.
"My dear doctor," said she at length, as soon as she could manage tospeak, "your tale is highly sensational and amusing, but I reallythink that you ought to consult a /clairvoyant/, and not a matter-of-fact person like me, about the fate of George de Croisenois."But the doctor, who was ready with his retort, and, not at alldisconcerted by the cachinations of the Countess, heaved a deep sigh,as though a great load had been removed from his heart, and, with anair of extreme delight, exclaimed, "Thank Heaven! then I wasdeceived."He uttered these words with an affectation of such sincerity that theCountess fell into the trap.
"Come," said she, with a winning smile, "tell me who it is that says Iknow so much.""Pooh! pooh!" returned Hortebise. "What good would that do? He hasmade a fool of me, and caused me to risk losing your good opinion. Isnot that enough? To-morrow, when he comes to my house, my servantswill refuse to admit him; but if I were to do as my inclinations leadme, I should hand him over to the police.""That would never do," returned the Countess, "for that would change amere nothing into a matter of importance. Tell me the name of yourmysterious informer. Do I know him?""It is impossible that you could do so, madame, for he is far belowyou in the social grade. You would learn nothing from his name. He isa man I once helped, and is called Daddy Tantaine.""A mere nickname, of course.""He is miserably poor, a cynic, philosopher, but as sharp as a needle;and this last fact causes me great uneasiness, for at first I thoughtthat he had been sent to me by some one far above him in position,but--""But, doctor," interposed the Countess, "you spoke to me of proofs, ofthreats, of certain mysterious persons.""I simply repeated Daddy Tantaine's words. The old idiot said to me,'Madame de Mussidan knows all about the fate of the Marquis, and thisis clearly proved by letters that she has received from him, as wellas from the Duke de Champdoce.' "This time the arrow went home. She grew deadly pale, and started toher feet with her eyes dilated with horror.
"My letters!" exclaimed she hoarsely.
Hortebise appeared utterly overwhelmed by this display ofconsternation, of which he was the innocent cause.
"Your letters, madame," replied he with evident hesitation, "thisdouble-dyed scoundrel declares he has in his possession."With a cry like that of a wounded lioness, the Countess, taking nonotice of the doctor's presence, rushed from the room. Her rapidfootfall could be heard on the stairs, and the rustle of her silkenskirts against the banisters. As soon as he was left alone, the doctorrose from his seat with a cynical smile upon his face.
"You may search," mused he, "but you will find that the birds haveflown." He walked up to one of the windows, and drummed on the glasswith his fingers. "People say," remarked he, "that Mascarin nevermakes a mistake. One cannot help admiring his diabolical sagacity andunfailing logic. From the most trivial event he forges a long chain ofevidence, as the botanist is able, as he picks up a withered leaf, todescribe in detail the tree it came from. A pity, almost, that he didnot turn his talents to some nobler end; but no; he is now upstairsputting the Count on the rack, while I am inflicting tortures on theCountess. What a shameful business we are carrying on! There aremoments when I think that I have paid dearly for my life of luxury,for I know well," he added, half consciously fingering his locket,"that some day we shall meet some one stronger than ourselves, andthen the inevitable will ensue."The reappearance of the Countess broke the chain of his thoughts. Herhair was disturbed, her eyes had a wild look in them, and everythingabout her betrayed the state of agitation she was in.
"Robbed! robbed!" cried she, as she entered the room. Her excitementwas so extreme that she spoke aloud, forgetting that the door wasopen, and that the lackey in the ante-room could hear all she said.
Luckily Hortebise did not lose his presence of mind, and, with theease of a leading actor repairing the error of a subordinate, heclosed the door.
"What have you lost?" asked he.
"My letters; they are all gone."She staggered on to a couch, and in broken accents went on. "And yetthese letters were in an iron casket closed by a secret spring; thatcasket was in a drawer, the key of which never leaves me.""Good heavens!" exclaimed Hortebise in affected tones, "then Tantainespoke the truth.""He did," answered the Countess hoarsely. "Yes," she continued, "I amthe bondslave to people whose names I do not even know, who cancontrol my every movement and action."She hid her face in her hands as though her pride sought to concealher despair.
"Are these letters, then, so terribly compromising?" asked the doctor.
"I am utterly lost," cried she. "In my younger days I had noexperience; I only thought of vengeance, and lately the weapons Iforged myself have been turned against me. I dug a pitfall for myadversaries and have fallen into it myself."Hortebise did not attempt to stay the torrent of her words, for theCountess was in one of those moods of utter despair when the innerfeelings of the soul are made manifest, as during a violent tempestthe weeds of ocean are hurled up to the surface of the troubledwaters.
"I would sooner be lying in my grave a thousand times," wailed she,"than see these letters in my husband's hands. Poor Octave! have I notcaused him sufficient annoyance already without this crowning sorrow?
Well, Dr. Hortebise, I am menaced with the production of theseletters, and they will be handed to my husband unless I agree tocertain terms. What are they? Of course money is required; tell me towhat amount."The doctor shook his head.
"Not money?" cried the Countess; "what, then, do they require? Speak,and do not torture me more."Sometimes Hortebise confessed to Mascarin that, putting his interestson one side, he pitied his victims; but he showed no sign of thisfeeling, and went on,--"The value of what they require, madame, is best estimated byyourself.""Tell me what it is; I can bear anything now.""These compromising letters will be placed in your hands upon the dayon which your daughter marries Henry de Croisenois, the brother ofGeorge."Madame de Mussidan's astonishment was so great that she stood asthough petrified into a statue.
"I am commissioned to inform you, madame, that every delay necessaryfor altering any arrangements that may exist will be accorded you;but, remember, if your daughter marries any one else than Henry deCroisenois, the letters will be at once placed in your husband'shands."As he spoke the doctor watched her narrowly. The Countess crossed theroom, faint and dizzy, and rested her head on the mantelpiece.
"And that is all?" asked she. "What you ask me to do is utterlyimpossible: and perhaps it is for the best, for I shall have no longagony of suspense to endure. Go, doctor, and tell the villain whoholds my letters that he can take them to the Count at once."The Countess spoke in such a decided tone that Hortebise was a littlepuzzled.
"Can it be true," she continued, "that scoundrels exist in our countrywho are viler than the most cowardly murderers,--men who trade in theshameful secrets that they have learned, and batten upon the moneythey earn by their odious trade? I heard of such creatures before, butdeclined to believe it; for I said to myself that such an idea onlyexisted in the unhealthy imaginations of novel writers. It seems,however that I was in error; but do not let these villains rejoice toosoon; they will reap but a scanty harvest. There is one asylum leftfor me where they cannot molest me.""Ah, madame!" exclaimed the doctor in imploring accents; but she paidno attention to his remonstrances, and went on with increasingviolence,--"Do the miserable wretches think that I fear death? For years I haveprayed for it as a final mercy from the heaven I have so deeplyoffended. I long for the quiet of the sepulchre. You are surprised athearing one like me speak in this way,--one who has all her life beenadmired and flattered,--I, Diana de Laurebourg, Countess de Mussidan.
Even in the hours of my greatest triumphs my soul shuddered at thethought of the grim spectre hidden away in the past; and I wished thatdeath would come and relieve my sufferings. My eccentricities haveoften surprised my friends, who asked if sometimes I were not a littlemad. Mad? Yes, I am mad! They do not know that I seek oblivion inexcitement, and that I dare not be alone. But I have learned by thistime that I must stifle the voice of conscience."She spoke like a woman utterly bereft of hope, who had resolved on thefinal sacrifice. Her clear voice rang through the room, and Hortebiseturned pale as he heard the footsteps of the servants pacing to andfro outside the door, as they made preparations for dinner.
"All my life has been one continual struggle," resumed she,--"astruggle which has cost me sore; but now all is over, and to-night,for the first time for many years, Diana de Mussidan will sleep a calmand untroubled sleep."The excitement of the Countess had risen to so high a pitch that thedoctor asked himself how he could allay a tempest which he had notforeseen; for her loud tones would certainly alarm the servants, whowould hasten to acquaint the Count, who was himself stretched upon therack; then the entire plot would be laid bare, and all would be lost.
Madame de Mussidan was about to rush from the room, when the doctor,perceiving that he must act decisively, seized her by both wrists,and, almost by force, caused her to resume her seat.
"In Heaven's name, madame," he whispered, "for your daughter's sake,listen to me. Do not throw up all; am not I here ready to do yourbidding, whatever it may be? Rely upon me,--rely upon the knowledge ofa man of the world, and of one who still possesses some portion ofwhat is called a heart. Cannot we form an alliance to ward off thisattack?"The doctor continued in this strain, endeavoring to reassure theCountess as much as he had previously endeavored to terrify her, andsoon had the satisfaction of seeing his efforts crowned with success;for Madame de Mussidan listened to his flow of language, hardlycomprehending its import, but feeling calmer as he went on; and in aquarter of an hour he had persuaded her to look the situation boldlyin the face. Then Hortebise breathed more freely, and, wiping theperspiration from his brow, felt that he had gained the victory.
"It is a nefarious plot," said the Countess.
"So it is, madame; but the facts remain. Only tell me one thing, haveyou any special objection to M. de Croisenois paying his addresses toyour daughter?""Certainly not.""He comes from a good family, is well educated, handsome, popular, andonly thirty-four. If you remember, George was his senior by fifteenyears. Why, then, is not the marriage a suitable one? Certainly, hehas led rather a fast life; but what young man is immaculate? They saythat he is deeply in debt; but then your daughter has enough for both.
Besides, his brother left him a considerable fortune, not far short oftwo millions, I believe; and to this, of course Henry will eventuallysucceed."Madame de Mussidan was too overwhelmed by what she had already gonethrough to offer any further exposition of her feelings on thesubject.
"All this is very well," answered she; "but the Count has decided thatSabine is to become the wife of M. de Breulh-Faverlay, and I have novoice in the matter.""But if you exert your influence?"The Countess shook her head. "Once on a time," said she sadly, "Ireigned supreme over Octave's heart; I was the leading spirit of hisexistence. Then he loved me; but I was insensible to the depths of hisaffection, and wore out a love that would have lasted as long as lifeitself. Yes, in my folly I slew it, and now----" She paused for amoment as if to collect her ideas, and then added more slowly: "andnow our lives are separate ones. I do not complain; it is all my ownfault; he is just and generous.""But surely you can make the effort?""But suppose Sabine loves M. de Breulh-Faverlay?""But, madame, a mother can always influence her daughter."The Countess seized the doctor's hand, and grasped it so tightly thathe could hardly bear the pain.
"I must," said she in a hoarse whisper, "divulge to you the wholeextent of my unhappiness. I am estranged from my husband, and mydaughter dislikes and despises me. Some people think that life can bedivided into two portions, one consecrated to pleasure and excitement,and the other to domestic peace and happiness; but the idea is a falseone. As youth has been, so will be age, either a reward or anexpiation."Dr. Hortebise did not care to follow this train of argument--for theCount might enter at any moment, or a servant might come in toannounce dinner--and only sought to soothe the excited feelings ofMadame de Mussidan, and to prove to her that she was frightened byshadows, and that in reality she was not estranged from her husband,nor did her daughter dislike her; and finally a ray of hopeilluminated the saddened heart of the unfortunate lady.
"Ah, doctor!" said she, "it is only misfortune that teaches us to knowour true friends."The Countess, like her husband, had now laid down her arms; she hadmade a longer fight of it, but in both cases the result had been thesame. She promised that she would commence operations the next day,and do her utmost to break off the present engagement.
Hortebise then took his leave, quite worn out with the severe conflicthe had waged during his two hours' interview with the Countess. Inspite of the extreme cold, the air outside seemed to refresh himconsiderably, and he inhaled it with the happy feeling that he hadperformed his duty in a manner worthy of all praise. He walked up theRue de Faubourg Saint Honore, and again entered the /café/ where heand his worthy confederate had agreed to meet. Mascarin was there, anuntasted cutlet before him, and his face hidden by a newspaper whichhis anxiety would not permit him to peruse. His suspense was terrible.
Had Hortebise failed? had he encountered one of those unforeseenobstacles which, like a minute grain of sand, utterly hinders theworking of a piece of delicate machinery?
"Well, what news?" said he eagerly, as soon as he caught sight of thedoctor.
"Success, perfect success!" said Hortebise gayly. "But," added he, ashe sank exhausted upon a seat, "the battle has been a hard one."
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