“Oh! I don’t think so,” said Monfréville.
“As for me, messieurs, I am a bold player,” said Daréna, “and I will give you the start. I will not leave Paris until a full hour after you, and even so I am sure that I shall arrive in time.”
Jasmin, who was bewildered and somewhat alarmed by all that he heard, exclaimed with an air of dismay:
“I say, messieurs, I hope that you won’t do my young master any injury in all this; I mean, I hope that you won’t make him unhappy?”
“Ha! ha! ha! this old fellow is enchanting with his innocence!” said Daréna.—”Never fear, venerable retainer! We shall employ only pleasant methods! As for you, all there is for you to do is to find a way to get Monsieur Chérubin’s little foster-sister out of the way to-morrow morning. That is indispensable for the success of our excursion.”
“You hear, Jasmin?” said the notary. “Remember that the happiness, the future of your young master is at stake, and that you will be very blameworthy if you do not try to help us.”
The old servant bowed and went out, saying that he would obey.
Monfréville and Daréna also left the notary’s, saying to each other: