The priest came once and saw the sick man, but everything was going well.It was not necessary to run any extra risks.Every week after that he came and leaned on the fence, talking with Jean in the doorway.When he went away he always lifted three fingers--so--you know the sign? It is a very pleasant one, and it did Jean's heart good.
Pierre kept the cabane well supplied with provisions, leaving them just inside of the gate.But with the milk it was necessary to be a little careful; so the can was kept in a place by itself, under the out-of-door oven, in the shade.And beside this can Jean would find, every day, something particular,--a blossom of the red geranium that bloomed in the farmhouse window, a piece of cake with plums in it, a bunch of trailing arbutus,--once it was a little bit of blue ribbon, tied in a certain square knot--so--perhaps you know that sign too? That did Jean's heart good also.
But what kind of conversation was there in the cabane when the sick man's delirium had passed and he knew what had happened to him? Not much at first, for the man was too weak.After he began to get stronger, he was thinking a great deal, fighting with himself.In the end he came out pretty well--for a lawyer of his kind.Perhaps he was desirous to leave the man whom he had deceived, and who had nursed him back from death, some fragment, as much as possible, of the dream that brightened his life.Perhaps he was only anxious to save as much as he could of his own reputation.At all events, this is what he did.
He told Jean a long story, part truth, part lie, about his investigations.The estate and the title were in the family; that was certain.Jean was the probable heir, if there was any heir;that was almost sure.The part about Pierre had been a--well, a mistake.But the trouble with the whole affair was this.A law made in the days of Napoleon limited the time for which an estate could remain unclaimed.A certain number of years, and then the government took everything.That number of years had just passed.
By the old law Jean was probably a marquis with a castle.By the new law?--Frankly, he could not advise a client to incur any more expense.In fact, he intended to return the amount already paid.Ahundred and ten dollars, was it not? Yes, and fifty dollars for the six weeks of nursing.VOILA, a draft on Montreal, a hundred and sixty dollars,--as good as gold! And beside that, there was the incalculable debt for this great kindness to a sick man, for which he would always be M.de la Motte's grateful debtor!
The lawyer's pock-marked face--the scars still red and angry--lit up with a curious mixed light of shrewdness and gratitude.Jean was somewhat moved.His castle was in ruins.But he remained noble--by the old law; that was something!
A few days later the doctor pronounced it safe to move the patient.
He came with a carriage to fetch him.Jean, well fumigated and dressed in a new suit of clothes, walked down the road beside them to the farm-house gate.There Alma met him with both hands.His eyes embraced her.The air of June was radiant about them.The fragrance of the woods breathed itself over the broad valley.Asong sparrow poured his heart out from a blossoming lilac.The world was large, and free, and very good.And between the lovers there was nothing but a little gate.
"I understand," said the doctor, smiling, as he tightened up the reins, "I understand that there is a title in your family, M.de la Motte, in effect that you are a marquis?""It is true," said Jean, turning his head, "at least so I think.""So do I," said the doctor "But you had better go in, MONSIEUR LEMARQUIS--you keep MADAME LA MARQUISE waiting."
