LITMIR.BIZ

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      So intoxicated had been her sensations while with Raoul, that in her joy she was incapable of desiring anything else, of dreaming of aught save the renewal of these delightful emotions.

      No longer was she a devoted wife, an affectionate mother to this household which looked up to her as though she were a superior being. She took no interest in the two sons who were a short while since her chief pride and joy. They had always been petted and indulged in every way; they had a father, they were rich; whist the other, the other! oh, how much reparation was due to him!

      She almost regarded her family as responsible for Raoul’s sufferings, so blinded was she in her devotion to her martyr, as she called him.

      Her folly was complete. No remorse for the past, no apprehensions for the future, disturbed the satisfied present. To her the future was to-morrow; eternity was the sixteen hours which must elapse before another interview.

      She seemed to think that Gaston’s death absolved the past, and changed the present.

      Her sole regret was her marriage. Free, with no family ties, she could have consecrated herself exclusively to Raoul. How gladly would she have sacrificed her affluence to enjoy poverty with him!

      She felt no fear that her husband and sons would suspect the thoughts which absorbed her mind; but she dreaded her niece.

      She imagined that Madeleine looked at her strangely on her return from the Hotel du Louvre. She must suspect something; but did she suspect the truth?

      For several days she asked embarrassing questions, as to where her aunt went, and with whom she had been during these long absences from home.

      This disquietude and seeming curiosity changed the affection which Mme. Fauvel had hitherto felt for her adopted daughter into positive dislike.

      She regretted having placed over herself a vigilant spy from whom she could not escape. She pondered what means she could take to avoid the penetrating watchfulness of a girl who was accustomed to read in her face every thought that crossed her mind.

      With unspeakable satisfaction she solved the difficulty in a way which she thought would please all parties.

      During the last two years the banker’s cashier and protege, Prosper Bertomy, had been devoted in his attentions to Madeleine. Mme. Fauvel decided to do all in her power to hasten matters, so that, Madeleine once married and out of the house, there would be no one to criticise her own movements. She could then spend most of her time with Raoul without fear of detection.

      That evening, with a duplicity of which she would have been incapable a few weeks before, she began to question Madeleine about her sentiments toward Prosper:

      “Ah, ha, mademoiselle,” she said, gayly, “I have discovered your secret. You are going on at a pretty rate! The idea of your choosing a husband without my permission!”

      “Why, aunt! I thought you——”

      “Yes, I know; you thought I had suspected the true state of affairs! That is precisely what I have done.”

      Then, in a serious tone, she said:

      “Therefore nothing remains to be done except to obtain the consent of Master Prosper. Do you think he will grant it?”

      “Oh, Aunt Valentine! he would be too happy.”

      “Ah, indeed! you seem to know all about it; perhaps you do not care for any assistance in carrying out your wishes?”

      Madeleine, blushing and confused, hung her head, and said nothing. Mme. Fauvel drew her toward her, and continued affectionately:

      “My dear child, do not be distressed: you have done nothing wrong, and need fear no opposition to your wishes. Is it possible that a person of your penetration supposed us to be in ignorance of your secret? Did you think that Prosper would have been so warmly welcomed by your uncle and myself, had we not approved of him in every respect?”

      Madeleine threw her arms around her aunt’s neck, and said:

      “Oh, my dear aunt, you make me so happy! I am very grateful for your love and kindness. I am very glad that you are pleased with my choice.”

      Mme. Fauvel said to herself:

      “I will make Andre speak to Prosper, and before two months are over the marriage must take place. Madeleine once married, I shall have nothing to fear.”

      Unfortunately, Mme. Fauvel was so engrossed by her new passion that she put off from day to day her project of hastening the marriage, until it was too late. Spending a portion of each day at the Hotel du Louvre with Raoul, and, when separated from him, devoting her thoughts to insuring him an independent fortune and a good position, she could think of nothing else.

      She had not yet spoken to him of money or business.

      She imagined that she had discovered in him his father’s noble qualities; that the sensitiveness which is so easily wounded was expressed in his every word and action.

      She anxiously wondered if he would ever accept the least assistance from her. The Marquis of Clameran quieted her doubts on this point.

      She had frequently met him since the day on which he had so frightened her, and to her first aversion had succeeded a secret sympathy. She felt kindly toward him for the affection he lavished on her son.

      If Raoul, with the heedlessness of youth, mocked at the future, Louis, the man of the world, looked upon it with different eyes. He was anxious for the welfare of his nephew, and constantly complained of the idle life he was now leading.

      One day, after praising the attractive qualities of Raoul, he said:

      “This pleasant life is very well, as long as it lasts; but people cannot live upon air, and, as my handsome nephew has no fortune, it would be only prudent for us to procure him some employment.”

      “Ah, my dear uncle, do let me enjoy my present happiness. What is the use of any change? What do I want?”

      “You want for nothing at present, Raoul; but when your resources are exhausted, and mine, too—which will be in a short time—what will become of you?”

      “Bast! I will enter the army. All the Clamerans are born soldiers; and if a war comes——”

      Mme. Fauvel laid her hand upon his lips, and said in a tone of reproachful tenderness:

      “Cruel boy, become a soldier? would you, then, deprive me of the joy of seeing you?”

      “No, my mother; no.”

      “You must agree to whatever plans we make for your good,” said Louis; “and not be talking of any wild schemes of your own.”

      “I am ready to obey; but not yet. One of these days I will go to work, and make a fortune.”

      “How, poor, foolish boy? What can you do?”

      “Dame! I don’t know now; but set your mind at rest, I will find a way.”

      Finding it impossible to make this self-sufficient youth listen to reason, Louis and Mme. Fauvel, after discussing the matter fully, decided that assistance must be forced upon him, and his path in life marked out for him.

      It was difficult, however, to choose a profession; and Clameran thought it prudent to wait awhile, and study the bent of the young man’s mind. In the meanwhile it was decided that Mme. Fauvel should place funds at Clameran’s disposal for Raoul’s support.

      Regarding Gaston’s brother in the light of a father to her child, Mme. Fauvel soon found him indispensable. She continually longed to see him, either to consult him concerning some step to be taken for Raoul’s benefit, or to impress upon him some good advice to be given.

      Thus she was well pleased, when one day he requested the honor of being allowed to call upon her at her own house.

      Nothing was easier than to introduce the Marquis of Clameran to her husband as an old friend

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