Doctor Hortebise did not find it necessary to resort to any of those expedients which Mascarin had found it advisable to use in order to reach Madame de Mussidan. As soon as he presented himself--that is, after a brief interval of five minutes--he was introduced into the presence of the Countess. He rather wondered at this, for Madame de Mussidan was one of those restless spirits that are seldom found at home, but are to be met with at exhibitions, on race-courses, at the _salons_, restaurants, shops, or theatres; or at the studio of some famous artist; or at the rooms of some musical professor who had discovered a new tenor; anywhere and everywhere, in fact, except at home. Hers was one of those restless natures constantly craving for excitement; and husband, home, and child were mere secondary objects in her eyes. She had many avocations; she was a patroness of half a dozen charitable inst.i.tutions, but the chief thing that she did was to spend money. Gold seemed to melt in her grasp like so much snow, and she never knew what became of the sums she lavished so profusely. Husband and wife had long been almost totally estranged, and led almost separate existences. Dr. Hortebise was well aware of this, in common with others who moved in society. Upon the appearance of the doctor, the Countess dropped the book she had been perusing, and gave vent to an exclamation of delight. "Ah, doctor, this is really very kind of you;" and at the same time signed to the servant to place a chair for the visitor.
The Countess was tall and slender, and at forty-five had the figure of a girl. She had an abundance of fair hair, the color of which concealed the silver threads which plentifully interspersed it. A subtle perfume hung about her, and her pale blue eyes were full of pride and cold disdain.
"You know how to time your visits so well, doctor!" said she. "I am thoroughly bored, and am utterly weary of books, for it always seems to me, when I read, that I had perused the same thing before somewhere or other. You have arrived at so opportune a moment, that you appear to be a favorite of timely chance."
The doctor was indeed a favorite of chance; but the name of the chance was Baptiste Mascarin.
"I see so few visitors," continued Madame de Mussidan, "that hardly any one comes to see me. I must really set aside one day in the week for my at home; for when I do happen to stay at home, I feel fearfully dull and lonely. For two mortal hours I have been in this room. I have been nursing the Count."
The doctor knew better than this; but he smiled pleasantly, and said, "Perfectly so," exactly at the right moment.
"Yes," continued the Countess, "my husband slipped on the stairs, and hurt himself very much. Our doctor says it is nothing; but then I put little faith in what doctors say."
"I know that by experience, madame," replied Hortebise.
"Present company of course always excepted; but, do you know, I once really believed in you; but your sudden conversion to homeopathy quite frightened me."
The doctor smiled. "It is as safe a mode of practice as any other."
"Do you really think so?"
"I am perfectly sure of it."
"Well, now that you _are_ here, I am half inclined to ask your advice."
"I trust that you are not suffering."
"No, thank heaven; I have never any cause to complain of my health; but I am very anxious about Sabine"s state."
Her affection of maternal solicitude was a charming pendant to her display of conjugal affection, and again the doctor"s expression of a.s.sent came in in the right place.
"Yes, for a month, doctor, I have hardly seen Sabine, I have been so much engaged; but yesterday I met her, and was quite shocked at the change in her appearance."
"Did you ask her what ailed her?"
"Of course, and she said, "Nothing," adding that she was perfectly well."
"Perhaps something had vexed her?"
"She,--why, don"t you know that every one likes her, and that she is one of the happiest girls in Paris; but I want you to see her in spite of that." She rang the bell as she spoke, and as soon as the footman made his appearance, said, "Lubin, ask Mademoiselle to have the goodness to step downstairs."
"Mademoiselle has gone out, madame."
"Indeed! how long ago?"
"About three o"clock, madame."
"Who went with her?"
"Her maid, Modeste."
"Did Mademoiselle say where she was going to?"
"No, madame."
"Very well, you can go."
Even the imperturbable doctor was rather surprised at a girl of eighteen being permitted so much freedom.
"It is most annoying," said the Countess. "However, let us hope that the trifling indisposition, regarding which I wished to consult you, will not prevent her marriage."
Here was the opening that Hortebise desired.
"Is Mademoiselle going to be married?" asked he with an air of respectful curiosity.
"Hush!" replied Madame de Mussidan, placing her finger on her lips; "this is a profound secret, and there is nothing definitely arranged; but you, as a doctor, are a perfect father confessor, and I feel that I can trust you. Let me whisper to you that it is quite possible that Sabine will be Madame de Breulh-Faverlay before the close of the year."
Hortebise had not Mascarin"s courage; indeed, he was frequently terrified at his confederate"s projects; but having once given in his adherence, he was to be relied on, and did not hesitate for a moment.
"I confess, madame, that I heard that mentioned before;" returned he cautiously.
"And, pray, who was your informant?"
"Oh, I have had it from many sources; and let me say at once that it was this marriage, and no mere chance, that brought me here to-day."
Madame de Mussidan liked the doctor and his pleasant and witty conversation very much, and was always charmed to see him; but it was intolerable that he should venture to interfere in her daughter"s marriage. "Really, sir, you confer a great honor upon the Count and myself," answered she haughtily.
Her severe manner, however, did not cause the doctor to lose his temper.
He had come to say certain things in a certain manner. He had learned his part, and nothing that the Countess could say would prevent his playing it.
"I a.s.sure you, madame," returned he, "that when I accepted the mission with which I am charged, I only did so from my feelings of respect to you and yours."
"You are really very kind," answered the Countess superciliously.
"And I am sure, madame, that after you have heard what I have to say, you will have even more reason to agree with me." His manner as he said this was so peculiar, that the Countess started as though she had received a galvanic shock. "For more than twenty-five years," pursued the doctor, "I have been the constant depository of strange family secrets, and some of them have been very terrible ones. I have often found myself in a very delicate position, but never in such an embarra.s.sing one as I am now."
"You alarm me," said the Countess, dropping her impatient manner.
"If, madame, what I have come to relate to you are the mere ravings of a lunatic, I will offer my most sincere apologies; but if, on the contrary, his statements are true--and he has irrefragable proofs in his possession,--then, madame----"
"What then, doctor?"
"Then, madame, I can only say, make every use of me, for I will willingly place my life at your disposal."
The Countess uttered a laugh as artificial as the tears of long-expectant heirs. "Really," said she, "your solemn air and tones almost kill me with laughter."
"She laughs too heartily, and at the wrong time. Mascarin is right,"
thought the doctor. "I trust, madame," continued he, "that I too may laugh at my own imaginary fears; but whatever may be the result, permit me to remind you that a little time back you said that a doctor was a father confessor; for, like a priest, the physician only hears secrets in order to forget them. He is also more fitted to console and advise, for, as his profession brings him into contact with the frailties and pa.s.sions of the world, he can comprehend and excuse."