"Jenny was
a good girl."
XVI
The count told half a truth when he spoke to Jenny of his marriage.
Sauvresy and he had discussed the subject, and if the matter was
not as ripe as he had represented, there was at least some prospect
of such an event. Sauvresy had proposed it in his anxiety to
complete his work of restoring Hector to fortune and society.
One evening, about a month before the events just narrated, he had
led Hector into the library, saying:
"Give me your ear for a quarter of an hour, and don't answer me
hastily. What I am going to propose to you deserves serious
reflection."
"Well, I can be serious when it is necessary."
"Let's begin with your debts. Their payment is not yet completed,
but enough has been done to enable us to foresee the end. It is
certain that you will have, after all debts are paid, from three
to four hundred thousand francs."
Hector had never, in his wildest hopes, expected such success.
"Why, I'm going to be rich," exclaimed he joyously.
"No, not rich, but quite above want. There is, too, a mode in
which you can regain your lost position."
"A mode? what?"
Sauvresy paused a moment, and looked steadily at his friend.
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