Another and yet stranger fact! As I wrote those last words, a noise of horses' hoofs came from the street.Distrustful now of everything, Iopened my window, and in the dawning light I saw a travelling carriage before the door of the inn, the postilion in the saddle, and Jacques Bricheteau talking to some one who was seated in the vehicle.Deciding quickly on my action, I ran rapidly downstairs; but before I reached the bottom I heard the roll of wheels and the cracking of the postilion's whip.At the foot of the staircase I came face to face with Jacques Bricheteau.Without seeming embarrassed, in fact with the most natural air in the world, he said to me,--"What! my dear ward already up?"
"Of course; the least I could do was to say farewell to my excellent father.""He did not wish it," replied that damned musician, with an imperturbability and phlegm that deserved a thrashing; "he feared the emotions of parting.""Is he so dreadfully hurried that he could not even give a day to his new and ardent paternity?""The truth is, he is an original; what he came to do, he has done;after that, to his mind, there is nothing to stay for.""Ah! I understand; he hastens to those high functions he performs at that Northern court!"Jacques Bricheteau could no longer mistake the ironical tone in which these words were said.
"Until now," he said, "you have shown more faith.""Yes; but I confess that faith begins to stagger under the weight of the mysteries with which it is loaded down without relief.""Seeing you at this decisive moment in your career giving way to doubts which our whole conduct pursued to you through many years ought to refute, I should be almost in despair," replied Jacques Bricheteau, "if I had none but personal denials and asseverations to offer you.
But, as you will remember, old Pigoult spoke of an aunt of mine, living in this neighborhood, where you will soon, I hope, find her position a most honorable one.I had arranged that you should see her in the course of the day; but now, if you will grant me the time to shave, I will take you at once, early as it is, to the convent of the Ursulines.There you shall question Mother Marie-des-Anges, who has the reputation of a saint throughout this whole department, and Ithink that at the close of your interview with her no doubt can remain upon your mind."While that devil of a man was speaking, his countenance had so perfect a look of integrity and benevolence, his speech, always calm, elegant, and self-possessed, so impressed the mind of his hearer, that I felt the tide of my anger going down and my sense of security rising.
In fact, his answer is irresistible.The convent of the Ursuline sisters--heavens and earth! that can't be the rendezvous of makers of false coin; and if the Mother Marie-des-Anges guarantees my father to me, as it appears she has already done to the notary, I should be foolish indeed to persist in my doubts.
"Very good," I said to Jacques Bricheteau, "I will go up and get my hat and walk up and down the bank of the river until you are ready.""That's right; and be sure you watch the door of the hotel to see that I do not give you the slip as I did once upon a time on the Quai de Bethune."Impossible to be more intelligent than that man; he seems to divine one's thoughts.I was ashamed of this last doubt of mine, and told him that, on the whole, I would go and finish a letter while awaiting him.
It was this letter, dear friend, which I must now close if I wish it to go by to-day's post.I will write you soon of my visit to the convent.