No woman can resist the idea of having been the one beloved.
“You now have no rival,” had been this bitter jester’s last words.
He remained a whole hour alone and forgotten in that little room. Monsieur de Granville arrived and found him gloomy, standing up, and lost in a brown study, as a man may well be who makes an 18th Brumaire in his life.
The public prosecutor went to the door of the Countess’ room, and remained there a few minutes; then he turned to Jacques Collin and said:
“You have not changed your mind?”
“No, monsieur.”
“Well, then, you will take Bibi-Lupin’s place, and Calvi’s sentence will be commuted.”
“And he is not to be sent to Rochefort?”
“Not even to Toulon; you may employ him in your service. But these reprieves and your appointment depend on your conduct for the next six months as subordinate to Bibi-Lupin.”
Within a week Bibi-Lupin’s new deputy had helped the Crottat family to recover four hundred thousand francs, and had brought Ruffard and Godet to justice.