"
And then, after clinging for a moment to the mantel-shelf, in
order to steady herself, she tottered out of the room.
VII.
It was not enough to tell M. Wilkie the secret of his birth. He
must be taught how to utilize the knowledge. The Viscount de
Coralth devoted himself to this task, and burdened Wilkie with
such a host of injunctions, that it was quite evident he had but a
poor opinion of his pupil's sagacity. "That woman d'Argeles," he
thought, "is as sharp as steel. She will deceive this young idiot
completely, if I don't warn him."
So he did warn him; and Wilkie was instructed exactly what to do
and say, how to answer any questions, and what position to take up
according to circumstances. Moreover, he was especially enjoined
to distrust tears, and not to let himself be put out of
countenance by haughty airs. The Viscount spent at least an hour
in giving explanations and advice, to the great disgust of M.
Wilkie, who, feeling that he was being treated like a child,
somewhat testily declared that he was no fool, and that he knew
how to take care of himself as well as any one else. Still, this
did not prevent M. de Coralth from persisting in his instructions
until he was persuaded that he had prepared his pupil for all
possible emergencies. He then rose to depart. "That's all, I
think," he remarked, with a shade of uneasiness.
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