第8章

The day on which this sum had to be disbursed from his strong box the old usurer vowed vengeance, but until he could gratify his hatred he was forced to conceal it, and to receive attempts at reconciliation with a friendly smile.It was not until six months later, on the occasion of a joyous festivity, that Martin again set foot in his uncle's house.The bells were ringing for the birth of a child, there was great gaiety at Bertrande's house, where all the guests were waiting on the threshold for the godfather in order to take the infant to church, and when Martin appeared, escorting his uncle, who was adorned with a huge bouquet for the occasion, and who now came forward and took the hand of Rose, the pretty godmother, there were cries of joy on all sides.Bertrande was delighted at this reconciliation, and dreamed only of happiness.She was so happy now, her long sorrow was atoned for, her regret was at an end, her prayers seemed to have been heard, the long interval between the former delights and the present seemed wiped out as if the bond of union had never been broken, and if she remembered her grief at all, it was only to intensify the new joys by comparison.She loved her husband more than ever; he was full of affection for her, and she was grateful for his love.The past had now no shadow, the future no cloud, and the birth of a daughter, drawing still closer the links which united them, seemed a new pledge of felicity.Alas! the horizon which appeared so bright and clear to the poor woman was doomed soon again to be overcast.

The very evening of the christening party, a band of musicians and jugglers happened to pass through the village, and the inhabitants showed themselves liberal.Pierre asked questions, and found that the leader of the band was a Spaniard.He invited the man to his own house, and remained closeted with him for nearly an hour, dismissing him at length with a refilled purse.Two days later the old man announced to the family that he was going to Picardy to see a former partner on a matter of business, and he departed accordingly, saying he should return before long.

The day on which Bertrande again saw her uncle was, indeed, a terrible one.She was sitting by the cradle of the lately-born infant, watching for its awakening, when the door opened, and Pierre Guerre strode in.Bertrande drew back with an instinct of terror as soon as she saw him, for his expression was at once wicked and joyful--an expression of gratified hate, of mingled rage and triumph, and his smile was terrible to behold.She did not venture to speak, but motioned him to a seat.He came straight up to her, and raising his head, said loudly--"Kneel down at once, madame--kneel down, and ask pardon from Almighty God!""Are you mad, Pierre?" she replied, gazing at him in astonishment.

"You, at least, ought to know that I am not.""Pray for forgiveness--I--! and what for, in Heaven's name?""For the crime in which you are an accomplice.""Please explain yourself."

"Oh!" said Pierre, with bitter irony, "a woman always thinks herself innocent as long as her sin is hidden; she thinks the truth will never be known, and her conscience goes quietly to sleep, forgetting her faults.Here is a woman who thought her sins nicely concealed;chance favoured her: an absent husband, probably no more; another man so exactly like him in height, face, and manner that everyone else is deceived! Is it strange that a weak, sensitive woman, wearied of widowhood, should willingly allow herself to be imposed on?"Bertrande listened without understanding; she tried to interrupt, but Pierre went on--"It was easy to accept this stranger without having to blush for it, easy to give him the name and the rights of a husband! She could even appear faithful while really guilty; she could seem constant, though really fickle; and she could, under a veil of mystery, at once reconcile her honour, her duty--perhaps even her love.""What on earth do you mean?" cried Bertrande, wringing her hands in terror.

"That you are countenancing an impostor who is not your husband."Feeling as if the ground were passing from beneath her, Bertrande staggered, and caught at the nearest piece of furniture to save herself from falling; then, collecting all her strength to meet this extraordinary attack, she faced the old man.

"What! my husband, your nephew, an impostor!""Don't you know it?"

"I!!"

This cry, which came from her heart, convinced Pierre that she did not know, and that she had sustained a terrible shock.He continued more quietly--"What, Bertrande, is it possible you were really deceived?""Pierre, you are killing me; your words are torture.No more mystery, I entreat.What do you know? What do you suspect? Tell me plainly at once.""Have you courage to hear it?"

"I must," said the trembling woman.

"God is my witness that I would willingly have kept it from you, but you must know; if only for the safety of your soul entangled in so deadly a snare,...there is yet time, if you follow my advice.

Listen: the man with whom you are living, who dares to call himself Martin Guerre, is a cheat, an impostor----""How dare you say so?"

"Because I have discovered it.Yes, I had always a vague suspicion, an uneasy feeling, and in spite of the marvellous resemblance I could never feel as if he were really my sister's child.The day he raised his hand to strike me--yes, that day I condemned him utterly....