"As to that, we are perfectly equal, my dear woman, for if you called me an owl, I called you an osprey; so we won't speak of it any more. . . . As to this loan, I ought perhaps to tell you that the return of the Abbé de Vighan, my pupil's uncle, may be postponed, and that it may perhaps be a long time before we can restore what you so generously offer—and after the scene of this morning, I fear perhaps . . ."
"Don't speak of that, sir, or I shall die of shame, upon my word. The Marquis can return it whenever he will; God be thanked! we are not dependant on sixty dollars for our living."
"I will take this debt on myself, my worthy woman; besides, my next half-year's income from the salt tax will pay you the amount."
"Ah! well and good! It seems to me that I am more than half pardoned for my insolence. And now, sir, I will go home and get what the Marquis needs; and I will come back every day, if you will allow me, and establish myself as his nurse; for men know nothing about taking care of the sick,—without offence to you, sir."
And Madelaine left Dominique near his pupil's bed, in possession of a good fire, an enjoyment the old man had not known for a long time.
[CHAPTER IV]
MYSTERIES
The illness of M. de Létorière drew towards its close; he was nearly convalescent, thanks to the assiduous care of Madelaine, her husband, and Martin Kraft, the apprentice. Each had vied with the good Dominique in devotion to him. The Marquis had shown himself so affectionately grateful for all these touching proofs of interest, had appeared so to justify and merit them by his delicacy and the goodness of his heart, that the tailor and his wife became more and more attached to their "dear young gentleman," as they called him.
Spring approached; one day Dominique, who had gone out to endeavor to persuade an attorney to follow up one of the lawsuits of Létorière, came back with a face at once radiant and astonished; the apprentice Kraft followed him, bringing carefully an immense basket filled with the rarest fruits and flowers. On a little paper attached by a pin to a magnificent pine-apple, were written these words: "To Monsieur the Marquis of Létorière."
After having admired this charming gift, with almost childish curiosity, and vainly seeking to learn from whom it came, for an unknown man had left the basket with the porter, the Marquis replaced the address with the following:—"To my good friends Landry and his wife," and told Kraft to carry as his gift the fruit and flowers to Master Landry.