"Nothing!" muttered Sans-Cravate; "nothing! Not even if I should tell you that you are a father—that my sister is carrying a child—that she implores you to give it its father's name? and that is the truth!"
Albert lowered his eyes; he was deeply moved, and tried in vain to conceal his emotion. Sans-Cravate walked toward him.
"Well! will you cast off that innocent creature?"
Albert was silent for some moments. At last he replied, in a low voice:
"I will provide for the child as well as the mother. But I cannot—it is impossible for me to marry Adeline, for such a marriage would cover me with ridicule."
"That is your last word, monsieur?"
"Yes, Sans-Cravate."
The messenger took from his pocket the pistols Madame Baldimer had given him, and called Albert's attention to them.
"Then this is my last word," he said. "I am ready when you are."
The young man seemed more surprised than alarmed.