“My dear,” said his wife, “there is somebody who has very strong suspicions on the subject, and these suspicions will gain strength as the child grows older; but we have nothing to fear on that score, as she is well paid to keep the secret.”
“And who is this person?” said I.
“Madame——. She has not forgotten the past, and often speaks of you.”
“Will you kindly remember me to her?”
“I shall be delighted to do so, and I am sure the message will give her great pleasure.”
Lebel shewed me my ring, and I shewed him his, and gave him a superb watch for my son.
“You must give it him,” I said, “when you think he is old enough.”
We shall hear of the young gentleman in twenty-one years at Fontainebleau.
I passed three hours in telling them of all the adventures I had during the twenty-seven months since we had seen one another. As to their history, it was soon told; it had all the calm which belongs to happiness.
Madame Lebel was as pretty as ever, and I could see no change in her, but I was no longer the same man. She thought me less lively than of old, and she was right. The Renaud had blasted me, and the pretended Lascaris had given me a great deal of trouble and anxiety.