"I have grown very old lately, and have little strength left, but I hope to embrace my son Simon before I die; but I am in the hands of God. I wish to incorporate these papers in my will and then there will be no difficulty in proving Simon's relationship."
"But what do you fear?" asked Pierre.
The Marquis looked at him.
"Why this question? You know as well as I."
"Do you think that the Vicomte would have the audacity—"
The Marquis laid his hand on his servant's breast.
"There is no peasant," he said, slowly and emphatically, "no peasant in these parts who is capable of such a crime."
Pierre bowed his head; he understood.
"And this is not all," continued his master, "a will may be lost, may be stolen. I wish to provide for everything, and wish that Simon and his children shall be rich."
The Marquis went on speaking in so low a voice that no one but the servant could possibly hear.