Thus the young fellow would possess an interest of one sixth in the
establishment, unless indeed Beauchene should buy him out again within a
stipulated period. The danger was that, instead of freeing himself in
this fashion, Beauchene might yield to the temptation of selling the
other parts one by one, now that he was gliding down a path of folly and
extravagance.
Constance listened to Morange, quivering and quite pale. "Is this
signed?" she asked.
"No, not yet. But the papers are ready and will be signed shortly.
Moreover, it is a reasonable and necessary solution of the difficulty."
She was evidently of another opinion. A feeling of revolt possessed her,
and she strove to think of some decisive means of preventing the ruin and
shame which in her opinion threatened her. "My God, what am I to do? How
can I act?" she gasped; and then, in her rage at finding no device, at
being powerless, this cry escaped her: "Ah! that scoundrel Blaise!"
Worthy Morange was quite moved by it. Still he had not fully understood.
And so, in his quiet way, he endeavored to calm Constance, explaining
that Blaise had a very good heart, and that in the circumstances in
question he had behaved in the best way possible, doing all that he could
to stifle scandal, and even displaying great disinterestedness.
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