She pretended not to hear him, and went back to the linen cupboards.  He got up hastily, took the melancholy relic, and going across the room, put it in the drawer of his writing-table, which he locked and double locked.  She wiped away a tear with the tip of her finger, and said in a rather quavering voice:  “Now I am going to see whether your new servant keeps the kitchen in good order.  As she is out I can look into everything and make sure.”

CHAPTER IX

Letters of recommendation from Professors Mas-Roussel, Remusot, Flache, and Borriquel, written in the most flattering terms with regard to Dr. Pierre Roland, their pupil, had been submitted by M. Marchand to the directors of the Transatlantic Shipping Co., seconded by M. Poulin, judge of the Chamber of Commerce, M. Lenient, a great ship-owner, and Mr. Marival, deputy to the Mayor of Havre, and a particular friend of Captain Beausires’s.  It proved that no medical officer had yet been appointed to the Lorraine, and Pierre was lucky enough to be nominated within a few days.

The letter announcing it was handed to him one morning by Josephine, just as he was dressed.  His first feeling was that of a man condemned to death who is told that his sentence is commuted; he had an immediate sense of relief at the thought of his early departure and of the peaceful life on board, cradled by the rolling waves, always wandering, always moving.  His life under his father’s roof was now that of a stranger, silent and reserved.  Ever since the evening when he allowed the shameful secret he had discovered to escape him in his brother’s presence, he had felt that the last ties to his kindred were broken.  He was harassed by remorse for having told this thing to Jean.  He felt that it was odious, indecent, and brutal, and yet it was a relief to him to have uttered it.

He never met the eyes either of his mother or his brother; to avoid his gaze theirs had become surprisingly alert, with the cunning of foes who fear to cross each other.  He was always wondering:  “What can she have said to Jean?  Did she confess or deny it?  What does my brother believe?  What does he think of her—­what does he think of me?” He could not guess, and it drove him to frenzy.  And he scarcely ever spoke to them, excepting when Roland was by, to avoid his questioning.

As soon as he received the letter announcing his appointment he showed it at once to his family.  His father, who was prone to rejoicing over everything, clapped his hands.  Jean spoke seriously, though his heart was full of gladness:  “I congratulate you with all my heart, for I know there were several other candidates.  You certainly owe it to your professors’ letters.”

His mother bent her head and murmured: 

“I am very glad you have been successful.”

After breakfast he went to the Company’s offices to obtain information on various particulars, and he asked the name of the doctor on board the Picardie, which was to sail next day, to inquire of him as to the details of his new life and any details he might think useful.