"But, madame, do not fear that I leave you burdened with debts; I have met all my obligations; I have paid everything, and my name will remain without blemish, at all events. You can bear it without a blush." The young woman made a slight movement of the shoulders, which seemed to indicate that she was not overjoyed because her husband had paid all his debts; she even muttered between her teeth: "That's a valuable thing for him to leave me--his name! and nothing with it! Ah! there's something more written here." "I have not touched your _dot_; you will find it intact in the notary's hands. With what you obtain from the sale of our furniture, which is very handsome, and our horses and carriages, you will have enough to live in a modest way. Adieu, Fanny; be happy! I cannot be happy again in this world, and that is why I leave it; adieu!" The last paragraph seemed to have soothed Fanny's despair in some measure; however, she covered her eyes with her handkerchief, and held it so for some time. Cherami, who had watched her closely while she read her husband's letter, said to himself at that proceeding: "Oh! it's of no use for you to put your handkerchief to your eyes; I'll bet that you're not crying; and yet--a young husband--to lose him like that, and after hardly six months of married life! There are some women who would have fainted; but she's a strong one!" Thereupon he rose and took up his hat, saying: "Madame, I have carried out the melancholy commission which your husband intrusted to me. As I imagine that my presence is no longer necessary, I will retire." XXXVII A WEAK WOMAN Fanny hastily uncovered her face. "Pardon me, monsieur," she said; "but as you were kind enough to carry out Monsieur Monleard's last wishes, may I hope that you will show yourself equally obliging to his widow?" "I will do whatever you bid me, madame, too happy to be able to be of some service to you as well as to him." "Thanks a thousand times, monsieur! You know now the position in which I stand. It seems to you, perhaps, that I have taken very coolly the calamity which has come upon me?" "Madame, I do not presume to pass judgment upon your feelings." "But put yourself in my place, monsieur; do you think that I can take as a proof of affection what my husband has done?" _"Dame!_ a proof of affection!" said Cherami to himself, scratching his nose.--"But, madame, if he feared that he should no longer be able to make you happy, if that thought made him lose his head----" "At Monsieur Monleard's age, monsieur, a man should have strength of mind, courage. People lose their fortunes every day; but when a man is intelligent and persevering, he makes another."