第67章

"And now, mademoiselle, what do you intend to do!" said Pierquin.

"Save the family," she answered simply."We own nearly thirteen hundred acres at Waignies.I intend to clear them, divide them into three farms, put up the necessary buildings, and then let them.Ibelieve that in a few years, with patience and great economy, each of us," motioning to her sister and brother, "will have a farm of over four-hundred acres, which may bring in, some day, a rental of nearly fifteen thousand francs.My brother Gabriel will have this house, and all that now stands in his name on the Grand-Livre, for his portion.

We shall then be able to redeem our father's property and return it to him free from all encumbrance, by devoting our incomes, each of us, to paying off his debts.""But, my dear cousin," said the lawyer, amazed at Marguerite's understanding of business and her cool judgment, "you will need at least two hundred thousand francs to clear the land, build your houses, and purchase cattle.Where will you get such a sum?""That is where my difficulties begin," she said, looking alternately at Pierquin and de Solis; "I cannot ask it from my uncle, who has already spent much money for us and has given bonds as my father's security.""You have friends!" cried Pierquin, suddenly perceiving that the demoiselles Claes were "four-hundred-thousand-franc girls," after all.

Emmanuel de Solis looked tenderly at Marguerite.Pierquin, unfortunately for himself, was a notary still, even in the midst of his enthusiasm, and he promptly added,--"I will lend you these two hundred thousand francs."Marguerite and Emmanuel consulted each other with a glance which was a flash of light to Pierquin; Felicie colored highly, much gratified to find her cousin as generous as she desired him to be.She looked at her sister, who suddenly guessed the fact that during her absence the poor girl had allowed herself to be caught by Pierquin's meaningless gallantries.

"You shall only pay me five per cent interest," went on the lawyer, "and refund the money whenever it is convenient to do so; I will take a mortgage on your property.And don't be uneasy; you shall only have the outlay on your improvements to pay; I will find you trustworthy farmers, and do all your business gratuitously, so as to help you like a good relation."Emmanuel made Marguerite a sign to refuse the offer, but she was too much occupied in studying the changes of her sister's face to perceive it.After a slight pause, she looked at the notary with an amused smile, and answered of her own accord, to the great joy of Monsieur de Solis:--"You are indeed a good relation,--I expected nothing less of you; but an interest of five per cent would delay our release too long.I shall wait till my brother is of age, and then we will sell out what he has in the Funds."Pierquin bit his lip.Emmanuel smiled quietly.

"Felicie, my dear child, take Jean back to school; Martha will go with you," said Marguerite to her sister."Jean, my angel, be a good boy;don't tear your clothes, for we shall not be rich enough to buy you as many new ones as we did.Good-bye, little one; study hard."Felicie carried off her brother.

"Cousin," said Marguerite to Pierquin, "and you, monsieur," she said to Monsieur de Solis, "I know you have been to see my father during my absence, and I thank you for that proof of friendship.You will not do less I am sure for two poor girls who will be in need of counsel.Let us understand each other.When I am at home I shall receive you both with the greatest of pleasure, but when Felicie is here alone with Josette and Martha, I need not tell you that she ought to see no one, not even an old friend or the most devoted of relatives.Under the circumstances in which we are placed, our conduct must be irreproachable.We are vowed to toil and solitude for a long, long time."There was silence for some minutes.Emmanuel, absorbed in contemplation of Marguerite's head, seemed dumb.Pierquin did not know what to say.He took leave of his cousin with feelings of rage against himself; for he suddenly perceived that Marguerite loved Emmanuel, and that he, Pierquin, had just behaved like a fool.

"Pierquin, my friend," he said, apostrophizing himself in the street, "if a man said you were an idiot he would tell the truth.What a fool I am! I've got twelve thousand francs a year outside of my business, without counting what I am to inherit from my uncle des Racquets, which is likely to double my fortune (not that I wish him dead, he is so economical), and I've had the madness to ask interest from Mademoiselle Claes! I know those two are jeering at me now! I mustn't think of Marguerite any more.No.After all, Felicie is a sweet, gentle little creature, who will suit me much better.Marguerite's character is iron; she would want to rule me--and--she would rule me.

Come, come, let's be generous; I wish I was not so much of a lawyer:

am I never to get that harness off my back? Bless my soul! I'll begin to fall in love with Felicie, and I won't budge from that sentiment.