第60章

I, in the first instance, thought only of doing a service to my country, and not of my own profit.Well, this Barbet has circumvented me.You will ask me how it was possible for a publisher to get the better of a magistrate, a man who knows the laws.Well, it was in this way: You know my history; Barbet is an usurer; he has the keen glance and the shrewd action of that breed of men.His money was always at my heels to help me over my worst needs.Strange to say, on the days Iwas most defenceless against despair he happened to appear.""No, no, my dear Monsieur Bernard," said Godefroid, "he had a spy in Madame Vauthier; she told him when you needed money.But the terms, the conditions? Tell them to me briefly.""He has lent me from time to time fifteen hundred francs, for which Ihave signed three notes of a thousand francs each, and those notes are secured by a sort of mortgage on the copyright of my book, so that Icannot sell my book unless I pay off those notes, and the notes are now protested,--he has taken the matter into court and obtained a judgment against me.Such are the complications of poverty! At the lowest valuation, the first edition of my great work, a work representing ten years' toil and thirty-six years' experience, is fully worth ten thousand francs.Well, ten days ago Morand proposed to give me three thousand francs and my notes cancelled for the entire rights in perpetuity.Now as it is not possible for me to refund the amount of my notes and interest, namely, three thousand two hundred and forty francs, I must,--unless you intend to step between those usurers and me,--I must yield to them.They are not content with my word of honor; they first obtained the notes, then they had them protested, and now I am threatened with arrest for debt.If I could manage to pay them back, those scoundrels would have doubled their money.If I accept their terms they will make a fortune out of my book and I shall get almost nothing; one of them is a paper-maker, and God knows how they may keep down the costs of publication.They will have my name, and that alone will sell ten thousand copies for them.""But, monsieur, how could you, a former magistrate!--""How could I help it? Not a friend, not a claim that I could make! And yet I saved many heads, if I made some fall! And, then, my daughter, my daughter! whose nurse I am, whose companion I must be; so that Ican work but a few hours snatched from sleep.Ah, young man! none but the wretched can judge the wretched! Sometimes I think I used to be too stern to misery.""Monsieur, I do not ask your name.I cannot provide three thousand francs, especially if I pay Halpersohn and your lesser debts; but Iwill save you if you will promise me not to part with your book without letting me know.It is impossible for me to arrange a matter as important as this without consulting others.My backers are powerful, and I can promise you success if you, in return, will promise me absolute secrecy, even to your children, and keep your promise.""The only success I care for is the recovery of my poor Vanda; for such sufferings as hers extinguish every other feeling in a father's heart.As for fame, what is that to one who sees an open grave before him?""I will come and see you this evening; they expect Halpersohn at any time, and I shall go there day after day until I find him.""Ah, monsieur! if you should be the cause of my daughter's recovery, Iwould like,--yes, I would like to give you my work!""Monsieur," said Godefroid, "I am not a publisher."The old man started with surprise.

"I let that old Vauthier think so in order to discover the traps they were laying for you.""Then who are you?"

"Godefroid," replied the initiate; "and since you allow me to offer you enough to make the pot boil, you can call me, if you like, Godefroid de Bouillon."The old man was far too moved to laugh at a joke.He held out his hand to Godefroid, and pressed that which the young man gave him in return.

"You wish to keep your incognito?" he said, looking at Godefroid sadly, with some uneasiness.

"If you will allow it."

"Well, as you will.Come to-night, and you shall see my daughter if her condition permits."This was evidently a great concession in the eyes of the poor father, and he had the satisfaction of seeing, by the look on Godefroid's face, that it was understood.