Our readers know the result; he learned enough to prove to him that Monsieur de Tourville was the lover, not the brother, of the beautiful girl who bore the same name. On returning home that day, he sent off a messenger to Paris with a letter, and directions to bring back an answer; this done, he waited the arrival of Sergeant Perrin.
CHAPTER XXX.
After parting from Julian Arden by the chestnut tree, Lieutenant Thornton proceeded to the house, his mind fully occupied with the sudden and strange appearance of Julian, and the somewhat critical position which they were all in; liable every moment to be discovered and sent to a prison. It was vexatious, also, that Jean Plessis was absent, as he was thus left with the female part of the family, to stand the brunt of Sergeant François Perrin’s examination.
On reaching the hall door, he was met by Julia Plessis; she was not at all uneasy, but handed him a pocket-book, saying—
“I have left Sergeant Perrin fully occupied over a bottle of Cognac, to which he is greatly attached; you will have time to proceed to your room, and run your eyes over the papers prepared for you, which are in that book. It is unlucky my father is away; but the sergeant does not appear to be at all inquisitive—merely requesting to see you and your papers, and get you to write your name in his book.”
“If we can avoid bringing Pierre Bompart before him,” said our hero, “there will be no suspicion excited.”
He then proceeded to his chamber, and read over the papers. He was described as Monsieur Philip de Tourville, twenty-three years of age, and a native of Pontri and Picardy, with an attendant, named Pierre Bompart, also a native of the same place; there was no description of person, &c., as became the case some years afterwards; the paper being a simple register of name, and signed by the Paris official, and required to be read and signed by the maire of the district. Marie de Tourville had a separate paper. Having read the short document, he descended to the sitting-room, anxious to see Mabel, fearing she might be uneasy, and at the same time to break to her the joyful tidings of not only her brother’s safety, but his being then actually at Dame Moret’s.
On entering the room, Mabel looked anxiously into his face, to judge if he felt alarmed; but he looked so cheerful, and made so light of the matter, that her sweet features brightened, as he sat down by her side, saying—
“I have intelligence, dear Mabel, that will gladden your heart.”