"Charming; but, madame, let us talk of business. You wrote me from
Normandy that you wished to consult me on some grave affairs."
"Have you not always been my adviser since good Dr. Polidori referred me to you? Apropos, have you heard from him?" asked Madame d'Orbigny, in a careless manner.
"Since his departure from Paris he has not written me once," answered the notary, no less indifferently. We must inform the reader that these two personages lied most boldly to each other. The notary had seen Polidori recently (one of his two accomplices), and had proposed to him to go to Asnieres, to the Martials, the freshwater pirates (of whom we shall speak presently), under the name of Dr. Vincent, to poison Louise Morel. The stepmother of Madame d'Harville came to Paris expressly to have a conference with this scoundrel, who now went by the name of Caesar Bradamanti.
"But it is not concerning the good doctor," said Madame d'Orbigny, "you see me much troubled; my husband is sick—he grows worse daily. Without causing me serious fears, his condition troubles me, or, rather, troubles him," continued she, wiping her tearless eyes.
"What is the matter?"
"He continually speaks of his final arrangements—of his will." Here
Madame d'Orbigny hid her face in her handkerchief for some moments.
"That is sad, doubtless," said the notary; "but this precaution is not alarming. What are his intentions, madame?"
"How can I tell? You know well, when he touches on this subject I change it."
"But has he said nothing positive?"
"I believe," said Madaine d'Orbigny, in a most disinterested manner, "I believe he wishes not only to give me all the law allows—but—oh! hold, I beg you, let us not speak of this!"