第91章

THE TAFILA COPPER MINES, LIMITED.

Paul could not for the life of him imagine why Tantaine had left the room in apparently so angry a mood.He had certainly spoken of Flavia in a most improper manner; for the very weakness of which she had been guilty should have caused him to treat her with tender deference and respect.He could understand the anger of Hortebise, who was Rigal's friend; but what on earth had Tantaine in common with the wealthy banker and his daughter? Forgetful of the pain which the smallest movement upon his part produced, Paul sat up in his bed, and listened with intense eagerness, hoping to catch what was going on in the next room; but he could hear nothing through the thick walls and the closed door.

"What can they be doing?" asked he."What fresh plot are they contriving?"Daddy Tantaine and Hortebise passed out of the room hastily, but when they reached the staircase they stood still.The doctor wore the same smiling expression of face, and he endeavored to calm his companion, who appeared to be on the verge of desperation.

"Have courage," whispered he; "what is the use of giving way to passion? You cannot help this; it is too late now.Besides, even if you could, you would not, as you know very well, indeed!"The old man was moving his spectacles, not to wipe his glasses, but his eyes.

"Ah!" moaned he, "now I can enter into the feelings of M.de Mussidan when I proved to him that his daughter had a lover.I have been hard and pitiless, and I am cruelly punished.""My old friend, you must not attach too much importance to what you have heard.Paul is a mere boy, and, of course, a boaster.""Paul is a miserably cowardly dog," answered the old man in a fierce undertone."Paul does not love the girl as she loves him; but what he says is true, only too true, I can feel.Between her father and her lover she would not hesitate for a moment.Ah! unhappy girl, what a terrible future lies before her."He stopped himself abruptly.

"I cannot speak to her myself," resumed he; "do you, doctor, strive and make her have reason."Hortebise shrugged his shoulders."I will see what my powers of oratory can do," answered he; "but you are not quite yourself to-day.

Remember that a chance word will betray the secret of our lives.""Go at once, and I swear to you that, happen what may, I will be calm."The doctor went back into Paul's room, while Tantaine sat down on the topmost stair, his face buried in his hands.

Mademoiselle Flavia was just going to Paul, when the doctor again appeared.

"What, back again?" asked she petulantly."I thought that you had been far away by this time.""I want to say something to you," answered he, "and something of a rather serious nature.You must not elevate those charming eyebrows.Isee you guess what I am going to say, and you are right.I am come to tell you that this is not the proper place for Mademoiselle Rigal.""I know that."

This unexpected reply, made with the calmest air in the world, utterly disconcerted the smiling doctor.

"It seems to me----" began he.

"That I ought not to be here; but then, you see, I place duty before cold, worldly dictates.Paul is very ill, and has no one to take care of him except his affianced bride; for has not my father given his consent to our union?""Flavia, listen to the experience of a man of the world.The nature of men is such that they never forgive a woman for compromising her reputation, even though it be in their own favor.Do you know what people will say twenty-four hours after your marriage? Why, that you had been his mistress for weeks before, and that it was only the knowledge of that fact that inclined your father to consent to the alliance."Flavia's face grew crimson."Very well," said she, "I will obey, and never say again that I was obstinate; but let me say one word to Paul, and then I will leave him."The doctor retired, not guessing that this obedience arose from the sudden suspicion which had arisen in Flavia's mind."It is done," said he, as he rejoined Tantaine on the stairs; "let us hasten, for she will follow us at once."By the time that Tantaine got into the street, he seemed to have recovered a certain amount of his self-command."We have succeeded,"said he, "but we shall have to work hard, and this marriage must be hastened by every means in our power.It can be celebrated now without any risk, for in twelve hours the only obstacle that stands between that youth there and the colossal fortune of the Champdoce will have vanished away."Though he had expected something of the kind, the face of the doctor grew very pale.

"What, Andre?" faltered he.

"Andre is in great danger, doctor, and may not survive to-morrow, and a portion of the work necessary to this end will be done to-night by our young friend Toto Chupin.""By that young scamp? Why, only the other day you laughed when Isuggested employing him."