"No, no, she must belong to me; henceforth for me to separate from her is impossible. Besides, has she not told me that she is disposed to love me?"
"Come, monseigneur, pull yourself together. They will say that you yield to the threats of this little Julia."
"My uncle is very ill, perhaps he will not last through the night. I shall soon return to Sarcus, then I will not again leave Blanche, I will listen to nothing but my love."
"With women, monseigneur, that causes everything to be forgiven."
Since the barber knew that the marquis suspected where he had obtained his fortune, he believed that it was for his interest to lose sight of Blanche. If Villebelle dreamed of reëntering the path of honor, Touquet could no longer feel easy as to himself.
The marquis regained his hotel. As he had foreseen, his uncle expired during the night, leaving him immense wealth; which would lead one to think that fortune does not show her preference to those who make good use of her favors. But someone answers to that, that fortune does not make happiness; it is, therefore, necessary to console the unhappy a little.
A week sufficed the marquis to settle his affairs. At the end of that time he prepared to return to Blanche, to whom he carried presents of every kind, which were carefully packed in the travelling carriage.
Chaudoreille, who was continually on the watch about the hotel, saw these preparations for departure, and ran to tell Julia.
"Enough," said the young Italian, "I have long been prepared for this, and I have bought two good horses. You shall come with me."
"To the end of the world; I am devoted to you."