She found the
accountant in his little office, seated in his wonted place, and leaning
over the everlasting ledger which was open before him.
"Why, is the christening finished?" he exclaimed in astonishment.
Forthwith she explained her presence in such a way as to enable her to
speak of what she had at heart. "Why, yes. That is to say, I came away
because I had such a dreadful headache. The others have remained yonder.
And as we are alone here together it occurred to me that it might do me
good to have a chat with you. You know how highly I esteem you. Ah! I am
not happy, not happy at all."
She had sunk upon a chair overcome by the tears which she had been
restraining so long in the presence of the happiness of others. Quite
upset at seeing her in this condition, having little strength himself,
Morange wished to summon her maid. He almost feared that she might have a
fainting fit. But she prevented him.
"I have only you left me, my friend," said she. "Everybody else forsakes
me, everybody is against me. I can feel it; I am being ruined; folks are
bent on annihilating me, as if I had not already lost everything when I
lost my child.
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