She pretended to put away the green, sharkskin penholder lying near the inkstand, but drew it imperceptibly nearer to Sulpice, who with a quick movement had already seated himself in front of the secrétaire.
"A minister's signature is sufficient, I suppose?" he said with a smile.
He commenced to write.
"What did you say?—Gochard?—"
She was quite pale as she looked over Sulpice's shoulder and saw him rapidly write several lines on the paper, then she spelled:
"Adolphe Gochard—Go-go-c-h-ar-d."
"There it is!" he said, as he handed her the sheet of paper.
"I wish to know what is thereon, or I would never consent."
She took the paper between her fingers as if to tear it to pieces. Sulpice prevented her.
"No," he said, "I request you to keep it; it is the best reply you can give to those people.—Rely on me!"