"Guilty conscience," said Aubertin dryly.
One day in his walks he met a gaunt figure ambling on a fat pony: he
stopped him, and, holding up his finger, said abruptly, "We have found
you out, Maitre Perrin."
The notary changed color.
"Oh, never be ashamed," said Aubertin; "a good action done slyly is none
the less a good action."
The notary wore a puzzled air.
Aubertin admired his histrionic powers in calling up this look.
"Come, come, don't overdo it," said he. "Well, well; they cannot profit
by your liberality; but you will be rewarded in a better world, take my
word for that."
The notary muttered indistinctly. He was a man of moderate desires;
would have been quite content if there had been no other world in
perspective. He had studied this one, and made it pay: did not desire a
better; sometimes feared a worse.
"Ah!" said Aubertin, "I see how it is; we do not like to hear ourselves
praised, do we? When shall we see you at the chateau?"
"I propose to call on the baroness the moment I have good news to
bring," replied Perrin; and to avoid any more compliments spurred the
dun pony suddenly; and he waddled away.
Pages:
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81