"
"No, it could not have been he."
"Ah! I am almost sure of it. There is no one else in the neighborhood
capable of such an evil deed."
Mme. Blanche could not give her reasons for declaring Chupin innocent.
Nothing in the world would have induced her to admit that she had met
him, talked with him for more than half an hour, and just parted from
him.
She was silent. In a few moments the physician arrived.
He removed the covering from M. de Courtornieu's face--he was almost
compelled to use force to do it--examined the patient with evident
anxiety, then ordered mustard plasters, applications of ice to the head,
leeches, and a potion, for which a servant was to gallop to Montaignac
at once. All was bustle and confusion.
When the physician left the sick-room, Mme. Blanche followed him.
"Well, Doctor," she said, with a questioning look.
With considerable hesitation, he replied:
"People sometimes recover from such attacks."
It really mattered little to Blanche whether her father recovered or
died, but she felt that an opportunity to recover her lost _prestige_
was now afforded her.
Pages:
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593