The Morning herald., 1877-09-27
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tioh into your 1ady-love's house; and If
after that, she doesn't give you piece oil
her mind, I'm a. aDutchmanv' .,....
Noel could bear it no longer. His tenn
per, for once in way, got the better Of
him. ,p -
Enough" he cried, bringing his hand
down with bang on his desk, aGo to the
devil, Monsieur Ducroe, and do as you like
| l don't want your advice, and I don't
want your company! 1prefsr, in future
to see your solicitors. ! know that ! have
been imprudent but Tcan repair all that
in a manner that will rather astonish you.
! could pay you the whole sum tomorrow,
If it suited my convenience; but you see,
my dear sir, it doesn't. Bewiss-keep my
affairs secret. and you'll got your money
in the long rum" - ~. wv - nn a2't
The usnrer was puzzled. ana,
"He's not SO dipped as thought" he
mused. "He's found fresh fields and pas
lures new; but he won't hide them long
from me. IN ferret bis secret It'll
ferret it outY lAI Il lNW1T5 a0lJ
.Thus,Y continued Tho barristsr, stake
all my papers to your solicitors, and give
them instructions to proceed against me.
In eight days from .fhisAI shall receive a
county court summons, shall sppear,
and ask for time. YOU know Tie law we'll
enough to know that. I'll get months
grace, and amonth is all 1 want. Now
let US return to common sense.r Accept q
bill Of exchange, payable in six weeks, or
else do as you have threatened, and place
the whole business in the hands of your
solicitors" |I'i',.'
'well, wel1, I never was hard man.
and don't want to be hard now. /
agree to your proposition. Make out
bill for the one thousand, four hundred
and fifty, and IN call for it on Monday,
returning at the same time your bills"
"You don't happen to have them with
,"No; and to tell you the truth-know-
ing how easy amto be argued into
thing-I took the precaution of leaving
them with my solicitors; but it's. all right,
you Know all right IVelgivsn you my
word-anda my,word's my bond! Good
bye-good-bye! I'll see you on Monday
I'll see you on Monday!' ,,' ,
Noel listened attentively, 10 be quite
sure that his crafty friend HAD left for
good; and when he heard the hall door
close, shook his fist in impotent rage.
"Scoundrelv' he cried. "Wretch! thief!
old skinAint! Didn't he dun into my ears,
and no mistake' He, had made up his
mind to go to law, too, andtthat would
have settled me with the Count. vile old
usurer! At one time was afraid I should
have been forced to tell him ALI"
He took out his watch as he spoke.
"Half-past fvew saL IA
He was undecided what to do. Ought
he to dine with his father7 Could be leave
Madame Gerdy9 The dinner at the De
Valcourt mansion was strong tempta-
ton; but on the other side there was the r
sick chamber and the, dying woman" IL
s'@Of course" he decided at lasti.I can't
90: 1t would be an outrage to all deli
cacy of feeling" wv
He sat down and wrote few lines Of
excuse to his father, telling him that Ma
dame Gerdy's death was smomentarily ex-
pected, and that he could not find it in his
heart to leave her bedside. n INT
Taking book, with him, Noel proceed
ed to the sick chamber, and seated him,
self in an armchair by the bedside. The
amp was lighted, and the Sister Of Mercy
came and went with noiseless footsteps,
lusting, arranging, and putting things in
order.
There was a happier look about her pale
face, which did not escape Noel.
"Do you think that we may dare to
nope, eister7"he asked.Y s'ffN1f LsE
II think.we may,,' shs said "The last
'emedies have taken admirably. The
most important thing is that she must not
,e left alone, even for d moment. have
arranged with the maid-servant that when |
he doctor calls again that she is to take
ny place wlflst1 sleep, and at midnight
will relieve her."
"Don't disturb yourself, sister, inter !
tpted Noel, sadly. "Sleep in peace until
he morning. As for me, will remain on |
'uard all night |
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