“It was you who brought Louise to this house; go now and find her. Say to the persons in whose service she is that she is not to work any more, that she has found a friend and protector; say whatever you choose, but remember that you must bring me my friend and sister. As for her, simply say to her that I am here, waiting for her, and I am perfectly sure that she will instantly make her preparations to come to me. Go, monsieur; I will stay here and wait.” Monsieur Gérondif jumped out of the cab, blew his nose when he was on the sidewalk, and entered the house at last, saying to himself: “Let us do it, as there is no way to avoid it! The little one will not be mine--unless, perhaps, later--no one knows. Perhaps he will endow her, and I will imagine that she’s a widow.” Chérubin counted the minutes after the tutor entered the house; he leaned out of the cab door and did not take his eyes from the porte cochère; for he momentarily expected Louise to appear, and that hope was constantly disappointed. At last two persons left the house and came toward him; they were Monsieur Gérondif and Comtois. The professor’s face wore a most woebegone expression; he rolled his eyes wildly about as he approached Chérubin: but the latter did not wait for him to speak. “Louise!” he cried, “Louise! why hasn’t she come with you? Didn’t you tell her that I was here?” “No, my noble pupil,” replied Gérondif, with an air of desperation, “I did not tell her, for I could not. If you knew!” “I don’t want to know; I want Louise--I came here to get her. Why doesn’t she come down? Do they refuse to let her go? In that case I will go up myself----” “Oh, no! nobody refuses anything; but she has gone already, and that is why she doesn’t come down with us.” “What do you say? Louise----” “Has not been at Monsieur de Noirmont’s for four days; she went off one morning, very early, before anyone in the house was up.” “Ah! you are deceiving me!” “No, my noble pupil; but as I thought that perhaps you would not believe me, I requested Comtois, Monsieur de Noirmont’s confidential valet, to come with me and confirm my story.--Speak, incorruptible Comtois; tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Comtois stepped toward Chérubin, and said, saluting him respectfully: