Was the letter which I had sent upstairs a reply to the letter which Minna had seen her mother writing?Was the widow now informed that the senile old admirer who had advanced the money to pay her creditors had been found dead in his bed?and that her promissory note had passed into the possession of the heir-at-law?If this was the right reading of the riddle,no wonder she had sent her daughter out of the room--no wonder she had locked her door!
My aunt wasted no time in expressions of grief and surprise,when she was informed of Mr.Engelman's state of health."Send the widow here directly,"she said."If there is anything like a true heart under that splendid silk dress of hers,I shall write and relieve poor Engelman by to-night's post."To confide my private surmises,even to my aunt,would have been an act of inexcusable imprudence,to say the least of it.I could only reply that Madame Fontaine was not very well,and was (as I had heard from Minna)shut up in the retirement of her own room.
The resolute little woman got on her feet instantly."Show me where she is,David--and leave the rest to me."I led her to the door,and was dismissed with these words--"Go and wait in my room till I come back to you."As I retired,I heard a smart knock,and my aunt's voice announcing herself outside--"Mrs.Wagner,ma'am,with something serious to say to you."The reply was inaudible.Not so my aunt's rejoinder:"Oh,very well!Just read that letter,will you?I'll push it under the door,and wait for an answer."I lingered for a minute longer--and heard the door opened and closed again.
In little more than half an hour,my aunt returned.She looked serious and thoughtful.I at once anticipated that she had failed.Her first words informed me that I was wrong.
"I've done it,"she said."I am to write to Engelman to-night;and I have the widow's permission to tell him that she regrets her hasty decision.
Her own words,mind,when I asked her how I should put it!""So there is a true heart under that splendid silk dress of hers?"Isaid.
My aunt walked up and down the room,silent and frowning--discontented with me,or discontented with herself;it was impossible to tell which.
On a sudden,she sat down by me,and hit me a smart slap on the shoulder.
"David!"she said,"I have found out something about myself which I never suspected before.If you want to see a cold-blooded wretch,look at me!"It was so gravely said,and so perfectly absurd,that I burst out laughing.She was far too seriously perplexed about herself to take the smallest notice of my merriment.
"Do you know,"she resumed,"that I actually hesitate to write to Engelman?David!I ought to be whipped at the cart's tail.I don't believe in Madame Fontaine."She little knew how that abrupt confession interested me."Tell me why!"I said eagerly.
"That's the disgraceful part of it,"she answered."I can't tell you why.
Madame Fontaine spoke charmingly--with perfect taste and feeling.And all the time some devilish spirit of distrust kept whispering to me,"Don't believe her;she has her motive!"Are you sure,David,it is only a little illness that makes her shut herself up in her room,and look so frightfully pale and haggard?Do you know anything about her affairs?
Engelman is rich;Engelman has a position.Has she got into some difficulty since she refused him?and could he,by the barest possibility,be of any use in helping her out of it?"I declare solemnly that the idea suggested by my aunt never occurred to me until she asked those questions.As a rejected suitor,Mr.Engelman could be of no possible use to the widow.But suppose he was her accepted husband?and suppose the note fell due before Minna was married?In that case,Mr.Engelman might unquestionably be of use--he might lend the money.
My aunt's sharp eyes were on me."Out with it,David!"she cried."You don't believe in her,either--and you know why.""I know absolutely nothing,"I rejoined;"I am guessing in the dark;and the event may prove that I am completely at fault.Don't ask me to degrade Madame Fontaine's character in your estimation,without an atom of proof to justify what I say.I have something to propose which I think will meet the difficulty."With a strong exercise of self-restraint,my aunt resigned herself to listen."Let's hear your proposal,"she said."Have you any Scotch blood in your veins,David?You are wonderfully prudent and cautious for so young a man.
I went straight on with what I had to say.
"Send the widow's message to Mr.Engelman,by all means,"I proceeded;"but not by post.I was with him immediately after his offer of marriage had been refused;and it is my belief that he is far too deeply wounded by the manner in which Madame Fontaine expressed herself when she rejected him,to be either able,or willing,to renew his proposal.Ieven doubt if he will believe in her expression of regret.This view of mine may turn out,of course,to be quite wrong;but let us at least put it to the test.I can easily get leave of absence for a few days.Let me take your letter to Bingen tomorrow,and see with my own eyes how it is received."At last I was fortunate enough to deserve my aunt's approval."An excellent suggestion,"she said."But--I believe I have caught the infection of your prudence,David--don't let us tell Madame Fontaine.Let her suppose that you have gone to Bingen in consequence of the unfavorable news of Engelman's health."She paused,and considered a little."Or,better still,Bingen is on the way to England.There will be nothing extraordinary in your stopping to visit Engelman,on your journey to London.
This took me completely,and far from agreeably,by surprise.I said piteously,"Must I really leave Frankfort?""My good fellow,I have other interests to consider besides Engelman's interests,"my aunt explained."Mr.Hartrey is waiting to hear from me.