“And you would do well. Come to see me whenever anything happens, and—there!—you are an intelligent woman; all will go well.”
“Good-day, M. Fraisier. I hope you will recover your health. Your servant, sir.”
Fraisier went to the door with his client. But this time it was he, and not La Cibot, who was struck with an idea on the threshold.
“If you could persuade M. Pons to call me in, it would be a great step.”
“I will try,” said La Cibot.
Fraisier drew her back into his sanctum. “Look here, old lady, I know M. Trognon, the notary of the quarter, very well. If M. Pons has not a notary, mention M. Trognon to him. Make him take M. Trognon—”
“Right,” returned La Cibot.
And as she came out again she heard the rustle of a dress and the sound of a stealthy, heavy footstep.
Out in the street and by herself, Mme. Cibot to some extent recovered her liberty of mind as she walked. Though the influence of the conversation was still upon her, and she had always stood in dread of scaffolds, justice, and judges, she took a very natural resolution which was to bring about a conflict of strategy between her and her formidable legal adviser.
“What do I want with other folk?” said she to herself. “Let us make a round sum, and afterwards I will take all that they offer me to push their interests;” and this thought, as will shortly be seen, hastened the poor old musician’s end.