Evidently there was some skeleton in this
household--one of those terrible secrets which make a man and his
wife enemies, and all the more bitter enemies as they are bound
together by a chain which it is impossible to break. And
undoubtedly, a good many of the insults which the baron had heaped
upon Van Klopen must have been intended for the baroness. These
thoughts darted through Pascal's mind with the rapidity of
lightning, and showed him the horrible position in which he was
placed. The baron, who had been so favorably disposed toward him,
and from whom he was expecting a great service, would undoubtedly
hate him, undoubtedly become his enemy, when he learned that he
had been a listener, although an involuntary one, to this
conversation with Van Klopen. How did it happen that he had been
placed in this dangerous position? What had become of the footman
who had taken his card? These were questions which he was unable
to answer. And what was he to do? If he could have retired
noiselessly, if he could have reached the courtyard and have made
his escape without being observed he would not have hesitated.
But was this plan practicable? And would not his card betray him?
Would it not be discovered sooner or later that he had been in the
smoking-room while M. Van Klopen was in the dining-room? In any
case, delicacy of feeling as well as his own interest forbade him
to remain any longer a listener to the private conversation of the
baron and his wife.
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