The youth was evidently disconcerted by the delay; for he paced the apartment with rapid strides and seemed altogether absorbed by some anxiety or disappointment which made him extremely restless.  The notary’s visitors seemed to be either very tedious clients or engaged in very important business; for more than half an hour elapsed before that functionary made his appearance.  He came into the room ceremoniously, prepared to measure his words and reception by his visitor’s rank; but no sooner did he perceive who it was than his calculating features relaxed into a professional smile, and he advanced rapidly toward Gustave with outstretched hands.

“How are you, how are you, my dear sir?” said he.  “I have been expecting you for several days, and I am really happy to see you at last.  I am greatly flattered by the confidence you are disposed to place in me, and am ready, whenever you please, to devote myself to your affairs.  By-the-way, I suppose there is a will?”

A shadow passed over Gustave’s brow and his face became serious as he took a portfolio from his overcoat and drew forth a package of papers.

“I am pained, sir, at your loss,” said the notary.  “Your excellent uncle was my friend, and I deplore his death more than that of any one else.  It pleased God that he should die far away from his home.  But such, alas! is man’s fate.  We must console ourselves by the reflection that we are all mortal.  Your uncle was very fond of you, and I suppose you have not been forgotten in his last moments?”

“You may see for yourself,” said Gustave, as he placed the package on the table.

The notary ran his eyes over the papers, and, as he perused them, his face exhibited by turns surprise and satisfaction.

“Permit me,” said he, “to congratulate you, Monsieur Gustave; these documents are all in order and unassailable.  Heir of all his fortune!  Do you know, sir, that you are more than a millionaire?”

“We will speak of that another time,” said Gustave, interrupting him rather sharply.  “I called on you to-day to ask a favor.”

“You have but to name it, sir.”

“You were the notary of Monsieur De Vlierbeck?”

“I was.”

“I heard from my uncle that Monsieur De Vlierbeck had become very poor.  I have reasons for desiring that his misfortunes may not be prolonged.”

“Sir,” said the notary, “I presume that you intend to do him an act of kindness; and, in truth, it could not be bestowed on a worthier man, for I know the cause of his ruin and sufferings.  He was a victim of generosity and honor.  He may have carried these virtues to imprudence and even to madness; but he deserved a better fate.”

“And now, sir,” said Gustave, “I want you to let me know, with the least amount of details possible, what I can do to assist De Vlierbeck without wounding his pride.  I know the condition of his affairs; for my uncle told me all about them.  Among other debts there was a bond for four thousand francs, which belongs to the heirs of Hoogebaen:  I want that bond immediately, even if I have to pay four times as much as it is worth.”