"Then it is the same marriage which is offered to you through two different mediums. It is strange I was not informed of this collaboration!""In short," said la Peyrade, "you not only didn't have wind of the countess's intervention, but you don't know her, and you can't give me any information about her--is that so?""At present I can't," replied Cerizet, "but I'll find out about her;for the whole proceeding is rather cavalier towards me; but this employment of two agents only shows you how desirable you are to the family."At this moment the door of the room was opened cautiously, a woman's head appeared, and a voice, which was instantly recognized by la Peyrade, said, addressing the copying-clerk:--"Ah! excuse me! I see monsieur is busy. Could I say a word to monsieur when he is alone?"Cerizet, who had an eye as nimble as a hand, instantly noticed a certain fact. La Peyrade, who was so placed as to be plainly seen by the new-comer, no sooner heard that drawling, honeyed voice, than he turned his head in a manner to conceal his features. Instead therefore of being roughly sent away, as usually happened to petitioners who addressed the most surly of official clerks, the modest visitor heard herself greeted in a very surprising manner.
"Come in, come in, Madame Lambert," said Cerizet; "you won't be kept waiting long; come in."The visitor advanced, and then came face to face with la Peyrade.
"Ah! monsieur!" cried his creditor, whom the reader has no doubt recognized, "how fortunate I am to meet monsieur! I have been several times to his office to ask if he had had time to attend to my little affair.""I have had many engagements which have kept me away from my office lately; but I attended to that matter; everything has been done right, and is now in the hands of the secretary.""Oh! how good monsieur is! I pray God to bless him," said the pious woman, clasping her hands.
"Bless me! do you have business with Madame Lambert?" said Cerizet;"you never told me that. Are you Pere Picot's counsel?""No, unfortunately," said Madame Lambert, "my master won't take any counsel; he is so self-willed, so obstinate! But, my good monsieur, what I came to ask is whether the family council is to meet.""Of course," said Cerizet, "and not later than to-morrow.""But monsieur, I hear those gentlemen of the Royal court said the family had no rights--""Yes, that's so," said the clerk; "the lower court and the Royal court have both, on the petition of the relatives, rejected their demand for a commission.""I should hope so!" said the woman; "to think of making him out a lunatic! him so full of wisdom and learning!""But the relations don't mean to give up; they are going to try the matter again under a new form, and ask for the appointment of a judicial counsel. That's what the family council meets for to-morrow;and I think, this time, my dear Madame Lambert, your old Picot will find himself restrained. There are serious allegations, I can tell you. It was all very well to take the eggs, but to pluck the hen was another thing.""Is it possible that monsieur can suppose--" began the devote, clasping her hands under her chin.
"I suppose nothing," said Cerizet; "I am not the judge of this affair.
But the relations declare that you have pocketed considerable sums, and made investments about which they demand inquiry.""Oh! heavens!" said the woman, casting up her eyes; "they can inquire;I am poor; I have not a deed, nor a note, nor a share; not the slightest security of any kind in my possession.""I dare say not," said Cerizet, glancing at la Peyrade out of the corner of his eye; "but there are always friends to take care of such things. However, that is none of my business; every one must settle his own affairs in his own way. Now, then, say what you have to say, distinctly.""I came, monsieur," she replied, "to implore you, monsieur, to implore Monsieur the judge's clerk, to speak in our favor to Monsieur the justice-of-peace. Monsieur the vicar of Saint-Jacques is also to speak to him. That poor Monsieur Picot!" she went on, weeping, "they'll kill him if they continue to worry him in this way.""I sha'n't conceal from you," said Cerizet, "that the justice-of-peace is very ill-disposed to your cause. You must have seen that the other day, when he refused to receive you. As for Monsieur Dutocq and myself, our assistance won't help you much; and besides, my good woman, you are too close-mouthed.""Monsieur asked me if I had laid by a few little savings; and Icouldn't tell him that I had, be--because they have gone to keep the h--house of that poor Monsieur Pi--i--cot; and now they accuse me of r--robbing him!"Madame Lambert sobbed.