Mme. Fauvel rose from her seat, and stood, evidently waiting for her visitor to retire.
“You must confess, monsieur,” she said, “that I have shown great patience.”
This imperturbable assurance amazed Louis.
“I do not deny,” she continued, “that I at one time possessed the confidence of M. Gaston de Clameran. I will prove it by restoring to you your mother’s jewels, with which he intrusted me on his departure.”
While speaking she took from beneath the sofa-cushion the purse of jewels, and handed it to Louis.
“These jewels would have been given to the owner the instant they were called for, monsieur, and I am surprised that your brother never reclaimed them.”
Louis betrayed his astonishment at the sight of the jewels. He tried to cover his embarrassment by boldly saying:
“I was told not to mention this sacred trust.”
Mme. Fauvel, without making any reply, laid her hand on the bell-rope and quietly said:
“You will allow me to end this interview, monsieur, which was only granted for the purpose of placing in your hands these precious jewels.”