第131章

said she, smiling, "you will not deceive yourself much).The doctor exercises very great influence over this great statesman; for he has always had the happiness of recommending to him, on account of his health; the sweets and repose of private life, to the very eve of the day on which his portfolio was taken from him.Keep yourself, then, perfectly at ease.If the surety be insufficient, we shall be able to devise some other means.

"Madame," said Agricola, with great emotion, "I am indebted to you for the repose, perhaps for the life of my mother.Believe that I shall ever be grateful."

"That is all quite simple.Now for another thing.It is proper that those who have too much should have the right of coming to the aid of those who have too little.Marshal Simon's daughters are members of my family, and they will reside here with me, which will be more suitable.

You will apprise your worthy mother of this; and in the evening, besides going to thank her for the hospitality which she has shown to my young relations, I shall fetch them home."

At this moment Georgette, throwing open the door which separated the room from an adjacent apartment, hurriedly entered, with an affrighted look, exclaiming:

"Oh, madame, something extraordinary is going on in the street."

"How so? Explain yourself," said Adrienne.

"I went to conduct my dressmaker to the little garden-gate," said Georgette; "where I saw some ill-looking men, attentively examining the walls and windows of the little out-building belonging to the pavilion, as if they wished to spy out some one."

"Madame," said Agricola, with chagrin, "I have not been deceived.They are after me."

"What say you?"

"I thought I was followed, from the moment when I left the Rue St.Merry:

and now it is beyond doubt.They must have seen me enter your house; and are on the watch to arrest me.Well, now that your interest has been acquired for my mother,--now that I have no farther uneasiness for Marshal Simon's daughters,--rather than hazard your exposure to anything the least unpleasant, I run to deliver myself up."

"Beware of that sir," said Adrienne, quickly."Liberty is too precious to be voluntarily sacrificed.Besides, Georgette may have been mistaken.

But in any case, I entreat you not to surrender yourself.Take my advice, and escape being arrested.That, I think, will greatly facilitate my measures; for I am of opinion that justice evinces a great desire to keep possession of those upon whom she has once pounced."

"Madame," said Hebe, now also entering with a terrified look, "a man knocked at the little door, and inquired if a young man in a blue blouse has not entered here.He added, that the person whom he seeks is named Agricola Baudoin, and that he has something to tell him of great importance."

"That's my name," said Agricola; "but the important information is a trick to draw me out."

"Evidently," said Adrienne; "and therefore we must play off trick for trick.What did you answer, child?" added she, addressing herself to Hebe.

"I answered, that I didn't know what he was talking about."

"Quite right," said Adrienne: "and the man who put the question?"

"He went away, madame."

"Without doubt to come back again, soon," said Agricola.

"That is very probable," said Adrienne, "and therefore, sir, it is necessary for you to remain here some hours with resignation.I am unfortunately obliged to go immediately to the Princess Saint-Dizier, my aunt, for an important interview, which can no longer be delayed, and is rendered more pressing still by what you have told me concerning the daughters of Marshal Simon.Remain here, then, sir; since if you go out, you will certainly be arrested."

"Madame, pardon my refusal; but I must say once more that I ought not to accept this generous offer."

"Why?"

"They have tried to draw me out, in order to avoid penetrating with the power of the law into your dwelling but if I go not out, they will come in; and never will I expose you to anything so disagreeable.Now that I am no longer uneasy about my mother, what signifies prison?"

"And the grief that your mother will feel, her uneasiness, and her fears,--nothing? Think of your father; and that poor work-woman who loves you as a brother, and whom I value as a sister;--say, sir, do you forget them also? Believe me, it is better to spare those torments to your family.Remain here; and before the evening I am certain, either by giving surety, or some other means, of delivering you from these annoyances."

"But, madame, supposing that I do accept your generous offer, they will come and find me here."

"Not at all.There is in this pavilion, which was formerly the abode of a nobleman's left-handed wife,--you see, sir," said Adrienne, smiling, "that live in a very profane place--there is here a secret place of concealment, so wonderfully well-contrived, that it can defy all searches.Georgette will conduct you to it.You will be very well accommodated.You will even be able to write some verses for me, if the place inspire you."