The notary fixed his eyes on the young man, shrugged his shoulders, and regarded him with an expression of pity.

“You are young, sir,” said he, “and, like most men at your time of life, exaggerate both pain and pleasure.  Your despair is unfounded; for it is easy in our time to discover people whom we want to find.  With a little money and diligence we may be sure, in a few days, to discover Monsieur De Vlierbeck’s retreat, even if he has gone abroad to a foreign country.  If you are willing to charge me with the pursuit I will spare neither time nor trouble to bring you satisfactory news.”

Gustave stared hopefully at the notary as he grasped his hand and replied, with a smile of gratitude,—­

“Oh, render me that inestimable service, sir!  Spare no money; ransack heaven and earth if it is necessary; but, in God’s name, let me know, and let me know soon, where De Vlierbeck and his daughter are hidden.  It is impossible for me to describe the sufferings of my heart or the ardor of my desire to find them.  Let me assure you that the first good news you bring will be more grateful to my soul than if you had restored me to life.”

“Fear nothing, sir,” answered the notary.  “My clerks shall write letters of inquiry this very night in every direction.  To-morrow morning early I will be off to Brussels and secure assistance from the public offices.  If you authorize me to spare no expense the secret will disclose itself.”

“And I,” said Gustave,—­“I will put the numerous correspondents of our house under contribution, and nothing shall be omitted to detect their refuge, even if I have to travel over Europe.”

“Be of good cheer, then, Monsieur Gustave,” said the notary; “for I doubt not we shall soon attain our end.  And, now that you are assured of my best services, I will be gratified if you allow me to speak to you a moment quietly and seriously.  I have no right to ask what are your intentions, and still less the right to suppose that those intentions can be any thing else than proper in every respect.  May I inquire if it is your design to marry Mademoiselle Lenora?”

“That is my irrevocable determination,” replied the young man.

“Irrevocable?” said the notary.  “Be it so!  The confidence which your venerable uncle was always pleased to repose in me, and my position as notary of the family, impose on me the duty of setting before you coolly what you are about to do.  You are a millionaire; you have a name which in commerce alone represents an immense capital.  Monsieur De Vlierbeck is penniless; his ruin is generally known; and the world, justly or unjustly, looks askance at a ruined man.  With your fortune, with your youth and person, you may obtain the hand of an heiress and double your income!”

Gustave listened to the first words of this calculating essay with evident impatience; but he soon turned away his eyes and began to fold up the papers and put them in his portfolio.  As the notary finished, he answered, quickly,—­