He devoted his attention exclusively to the horses and vehicles;
but acting upon the advice of Casimir, who had become his valet
and oracle, he retained all the former servants of the house, from
Bourigeau the concierge down to the humblest scullery maid.
Still, he gave them to understand that this was only a temporary
arrangement. A man like himself, living in this progressive age,
could scarcely be expected to content himself with what had
satisfied the Count de Chalusse. "For I have my plans," he
remarked to Casimir, "but let Paris wait awhile."
He repudiated his former friends. Costard and Serpillon,
pretended viscounts though they were, were quite beneath the
notice of a Gordon-Chalusse, as M. Wilkie styled himself on his
visiting cards. However, he purchased their share of Pompier de
Nanterre, feeling convinced that this remarkable steeplechaser had
a brilliant future before him. He did not trouble himself to any
great extent about his mother. Like every one else, he knew that
she had disappeared, but nothing further. On the other hand, the
thought of his father, the terrible chevalier d'industrie, hung
over his joy like a pall; and each time the great entrance bell
announced a visitor, he trembled, turned pale, and muttered:
"Perhaps it's he!"
Tortured by this fear, he clung closely to the Marquis de Valorsay
as if he felt that this distinguished friend was a powerful
support.
Pages:
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476