"And you would have him marry a woman who has spurned him twice? Why, to miss being this Fanny's husband was the most fortunate thing that could happen to him! All his true friends ought to congratulate him on it. And you, monsieur, you set about removing the obstacle which had risen between my nephew and that widow! You fight with the man she preferred to Gustave! Ah! monsieur, cease to call yourself his friend; for his bitterest enemy would not have acted otherwise!" Cherami paced the floor of the office with long strides, and bit his lips, muttering: "Sacrebleu! that is all true. There is good sense in what you say. On the impulse of the moment, I didn't reflect. I saw but one thing to do--and that was to prevent the little widow's making a fool of Gustave." "Oh! monsieur, she would do it much more effectively if he should marry her." "After all, I didn't kill the count--a sword-thrust in the side is nothing; he will get well; the doctor said so." "That is possible; but who can say that this duel will not change his plans, his ideas? At the count's age, a wound, an illness, sometimes ages a man ten years; and then love takes flight, and with it all thought of marriage." "Oh! the count was dead in love, and when a fire gets started in an old house it burns faster than a new one." "Do you still consider, monsieur, that it's very important to tell my nephew of your fine exploit? Have you any wish to see him rush to that wretched Fanny's side again?" "You have changed my ideas entirely, dear uncle. I'm a hot-headed creature; but I am not pig-headed. When I feel that I've done a foolish thing, I admit it." "That's something." "But, I tell you again, the count's wound is not dangerous; he will recover." "I trust so, monsieur; and above all things that he will marry this Fanny." "In that case, you will no longer feel inclined to throw me out of the window?" "In that case, I will forgive you for this last escapade." "Adieu, dear uncle! Look you: you are hard with me; but in my heart I don't lay it up against you, because I see that you love your nephew." "Ah! have you just discovered that?" "I shall take pains to keep you informed as to the health of our venerable lover. As soon as he is on his legs again, I will come to tell you. And then, if he should try to back out of marrying the little widow, why, par la sambleu! he will have to draw his sword again." "I beg you, monsieur, don't interfere any more; that's the only way to have the thing end satisfactorily." "You haven't much confidence in me, dear uncle; but I will compel you to do me justice."--And Cherami took leave of the banker, saying to himself: "That devil of a man is right. I made an ass of myself; but I'll go to work differently now." LVI IMPATIENCE WITHOUT LOVE While these things were taking place, Madame Monleard was in a state of feverish unrest.