He had been at the table but a moment, seated among people who resembled beggars, when Dufresne appeared and motioned to him to follow him.
“I have good news for you,” he said with a joyful air; “in the first place, your mother-in-law died last night of an attack of apoplexy.”
“Is it possible?”
“It was a young fellow employed here, who lives in her house, who just told me. Moreover, I have obtained the money on your notes, on condition that you give a mortgage on your house at Villeneuve-Saint-Georges.”
“My house—but——”
“Come, come; don’t raise objections! In any event, with what little money you get from your mother-in-law, you will be able to pay your notes and redeem your house. You see that everything is turning out for the best. Oh! if only I had thought of your country house before! But now you are in funds, that is the essential thing; all that you will need, to obtain what Madame Germeuil has left, is a power of attorney from your wife.”
“How am I to get it? I shall never dare to tell her of her mother’s death; she will be desperate!”
“Very well; I will undertake to do it. If you wish, I will go to Villeneuve-Saint-Georges in your place, and I will tell your wife the news with all possible precaution.”
“You will do me a great favor. Tell her also that I have not forgotten her, that I expect to go to see her very soon.”
“Yes, I know all that I must say to her; rely upon my zeal and my friendship.”