"Very well, madam," said he, "give me this. I will make inquiries; I will do the best I can."
"I am very much obliged to you, sir," she answered. "So you will see that my husband is maintained in his position? I may consider the affair arranged?"
"Ah! no, indeed!" he exclaimed; "I bind myself to nothing. I shall have to see, to think the matter over."
In fact he was hesitating. He did not know what course he would follow in regard to the couple. And she was in anguish, since she felt herself at his mercy: this hesitation, this alternative of being saved or ruined by him, without being able to guess the reasons that would influence him in his decision, drove her crazy.
"Oh! sir! think how tormented we are! You will not let me leave without a certainty," she pleaded.
"Indeed, madam, I can do nothing. You must wait," said he.
He led her to the door. She was going away in despair, beside herself, on the point of confessing everything, openly, feeling the immediate necessity of forcing him to say distinctly what he intended doing with them. To remain a minute longer, hoping to find a subterfuge, she exclaimed:
"Ah! I forgot! I wished to ask your advice about that wretched will. Do you think we ought to refuse the legacy?"
"The law is on your side," he prudently answered. "It is a matter of appreciation, and of circumstances."
She was on the threshold of the door, and she made a final effort.