The Clique of Gold eBook

Émile Gaboriau
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 623 pages of information about The Clique of Gold.

The Clique of Gold eBook

Émile Gaboriau
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 623 pages of information about The Clique of Gold.

Daniel was deeply touched by the devotion of his friend, whose intense selfishness he had noticed but too often.  Nor was this all.  Capable of the greatest sacrifices where Daniel’s interests were at stake, M. de Brevan had formed a grand resolution.  He proposed to overcome his aversion to Miss Brandon, and to seek, immediately after her marriage, an introduction at Count Ville-Handry’s palace, for the purpose of going there constantly.  He might have to play a disagreeable part, he admitted; but he would thus be enabled to see Miss Henrietta frequently; he would hear every thing that happened, and be at hand whenever she should need advice or assistance.

“Dear Maxime,” repeated Daniel, “dear, excellent friend, how can I ever thank you for all you are doing for me!”

As the day before, they dined together at one of the restaurants on the boulevard; and after dinner M. de Brevan insisted upon accompanying his friend back to Count Ville-Handry’s house.  As they reached it long before the appointed hour, they walked up and down on the sidewalk which runs along the wall of the immense park belonging to the palace.  It was a cold but perfectly clear night.  There was not a cloud in the sky, no mist nor haze; and the moon was shining so brightly, that one could have read by its light.

In the meantime seven o’clock struck at a neighboring convent.

“Come, courage, my friend!” said M. de Brevan.

And, pressing his hand once more cordially, he walked off rapidly in the direction of the Invalides.

Daniel had not answered a word.  Terribly excited, he had drawn near the small door, examining anxiously all the surroundings.  The street was deserted.  But he trembled so violently, that for a moment he thought he would never be able to turn the key in the rusty lock.  At last he succeeded in opening it, and he slipped into the garden.

No one there.  He was the first on the spot.

Looking for some dark place under the tall trees, he hid himself there, and waited.  It seemed to him a century.  He had counted sixty by the beating of his pulse ever so many times, and was beginning to be very anxious, when at last he heard some dry branches crackling under rapid footsteps.  A shadow passed between the trees.  He went forward, and Henrietta was standing before him.

“What is it now, great God!” she said anxiously.  “Clarissa said you looked so pale and undone, that I have been terribly frightened.”

Daniel had come to the conclusion that the plain truth would be less cruel than the most skilful precautions.

“I have been ordered on active service,” he replied, “and I must be on board ship the day after tomorrow.”

And then, without concealing any thing, he told her all he had suffered since the day before.  Miss Ville-Handry felt as if she had been stunned by a crushing blow.  She was leaning against a tree.  Did she even hear Daniel?  Yes; for, suddenly rousing herself, she said,—­

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Clique of Gold from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.