"To say that I believe every word of your letter,"he resumed,"is only to do you the justice which I have too long delayed.But there is one passage which I must feel satisfied that I thoroughly understand,if you will be pleased to give me the assurance of it with your own lips.Am Iright in concluding,from what is here written of your husband's creditors,that his debts (which have now,in honor,become your debts)have been all actually _paid_to the last farthing?""To the last farthing!"Madame Fontaine answered,without a moment's hesitation."I can show you the receipts,sir,if you like.""No,madam!I take your word for it--I require nothing more.Your title to my heart-felt respect is now complete.The slanders which I have disgraced myself by believing would never have found their way to my credulity,if they had not first declared you to have ruined your husband by your debts.I own that I have never been able to divest myself of my inbred dislike and distrust of people who contract debts which they are not able to pay.The light manner in which the world is apt to view the relative positions of debtor and creditor is abhorrent to me.If Ipromise to pay a man money,and fail to keep my promise,I am no better than a liar and a cheat.That always has been,and always will be,_my_view."He took her hand again as he made that strong declaration."There is another bond of sympathy between us,"he said warmly;"you think as Ido."
Good Heavens,if Frau Meyer had told me the truth,what would happen when Madame Fontaine discovered that her promissory note was in the hands of a stranger--a man who would inexorably present it for payment on the day when it fell due?I tried to persuade myself that Frau Meyer had _not_told me the truth.Perhaps I might have succeeded--but for my remembrance of the disreputable-looking stranger on the door-step,who had been so curious to know if Madame Fontaine intended to leave her lodgings.
CHAPTER XXI
The next day,my calculation of possibilities in the matter of Fritz turned out to be correct.
Returning to Main Street,after a short absence from the house,the door was precipitately opened to me by Minna.Before she could say a word,her face told me the joyful news.Before I could congratulate her,Fritz himself burst headlong into the hall,and made one of his desperate attempts at embracing me.This time I succeeded (being the shorter man of the two)in slipping through his arms in the nick of time.
"Do you want to kiss _me,"_I exclaimed,"when Minna is in the house!""I have been kissing Minna,"Fritz answered with perfect gravity,until we are both of us out of breath.I look upon you as a sort of safety-valve."At this,Minna's charming face became eloquent in another way.I only waited to ask for news of my aunt before I withdrew.Mrs.Wagner was already on the road to Frankfort,following Fritz by easy stages.
"And where is Jack Straw?"I inquired.
"Traveling with her,"said Fritz.
Having received this last extraordinary piece of intelligence,I put off all explanations until a fitter opportunity,and left the lovers together until dinner-time.
It was one of the last fine days of the autumn.The sunshine tempted me to take a turn in Mr.Engelman's garden.
A shrubbery of evergreens divided the lawn near the house from the flower-beds which occupied the further extremity of the plot of ground.
While I was on one side of the shrubbery,I heard the voices of Mr.
Keller and Madame Fontaine on the other side.Then,and then only,Iremembered that the doctor had suggested a little walking exercise for the invalid,while the sun was at its warmest in the first hours of the afternoon.Madame Fontaine was in attendance,in the absence of Mr.
Engelman,engaged in the duties of the office.
I had just turned back again towards the house,thinking it better not to disturb them,when I heard my name on the widow's lips.Better men than I,under stress of temptation,have been known to commit actions unworthy of them.I was mean enough to listen;and I paid the proverbial penalty for gratifying my curiosity--I heard no good of myself.
"You have honored me by asking my advice,sir,"I heard Madame Fontaine say."With regard to young David Glenney,I can speak quite impartially.
In a few days more,if I can be of no further use to you,I shall have left the house."Mr.Keller interrupted her there.
"Pardon me,Madame Fontaine;I can't let you talk of leaving us.We are without a housekeeper,as you know.You will confer a favor on me and on Mr.Engelman,if you will kindly undertake the direction of our domestic affairs--for the present,at least.Besides,your charming daughter is the light of our household.What will Fritz say,if you take her away just when he has come home?No!no!you and Minna must stay with us.""You are only too good to me,sir!Perhaps I had better ascertain what Mr.Engelman's wishes are,before we decide?"Mr.Keller laughed--and,more extraordinary still,Mr.Keller made a little joke.
"My dear madam,if you don't know what Mr.Engelman's wishes are likely to be,without asking him,you are the most unobservant lady that ever lived!Speak to him,by all means,if you think it formally necessary--and let us return to the question of taking David Glenney into our office here.A letter which he has lately received from Mrs.Wagner expresses no intention of recalling him to London--and he has managed so cleverly in a business matter which I confided to him,that he would really be an acquisition to us.Besides (until the marriage takes place),he would be a companion for Fritz.""That is exactly where I feel a difficulty,"Madame Fontaine replied."To my mind,sir,Mr.David is not at all a desirable companion for your son.