Part 48 (1/2)
I drank the potion; then Pettermann picked up the watch and put it to his ear, saying:
”It was your watch that I dropped on the floor, monsieur; but it hasn't even stopped. It's like you, the spring is strong.”
He sat down and continued:
”For five days now you've been there in bed, and in that time fever and delirium have been playing a fine game with you! Your brain galloped like the infernal horse that knocked you down. We tried in vain to calm you; you called me Eugenie, you talked about nothing but Eugenie.
Sometimes you adored her, and the next minute you cursed her; so that the concierge, who is a bit of a gossip, said that some woman named Eugenie must have been playing tricks on you; and I replied: 'You must see that monsieur is delirious, and consequently he doesn't know what he is saying.' In short, I don't know whether I did right, monsieur, but seeing you in that condition, and no one with you to nurse you, I stationed myself here and I haven't budged. The concierge undertook to object, he wanted his niece, who is nine years old, to nurse you; but prout! I didn't listen to him, and I said: 'I was the one who brought monsieur home wounded, and I won't leave him until he's cured.' If I did wrong, I ask your pardon, and I will go away.”
I offered my hand to Pettermann again.
”Far from doing wrong, my friend, it is I who am deeply indebted to you.”
”Not at all, monsieur, I owe you forty francs. But as soon as you get your cloth----”
”Let's not talk about that.”
”All right; besides, you mustn't talk much, that's another of the doctor's orders.”
”Has anyone been to see me?”
”Not a cat has entered the room except the doctor and the concierge.”
Ernest and his wife could know nothing of my accident; otherwise I was sure that they would have come to take care of me. So henceforth I could have only strangers about me. Ah! if my mother had known--but I was very glad that she had not been informed of the accident, which would have frightened her. There were many other things too which she did not know and which I would have been glad to conceal from her forever.
I tried to rest, but Eugenie's image often disturbed my sleep.
It was she who was the cause of my being in that bed. It was impossible that she should not have recognized me, for her horse pa.s.sed close to me; and she did not return! Had she heard the commotion caused by my accident? That I did not know. While I shunned society as if I were guilty, Eugenie was indulging in all forms of pleasure. She, who used to mount a horse only in fear and trepidation, and to ride very quietly, now rode through the Bois de Boulogne at a fast gallop and displayed the rash courage of an experienced horseman! It still seemed to me that I was dreaming, that I was delirious. Since the Eugenie of the old days no longer existed, it seemed to me I must forget the new one, I must think no more of the woman who had wrecked my life.
I believed that, if I could embrace my little Henriette, I should be entirely cured at once. I determined to go to see her before leaving Paris, and to take her in my arms without her mother's knowledge; and even if her mother should know it, had I not the right to kiss my daughter? I would be patient until then.
The doctor came again to see me. He was a man whom I did not know; he seemed abrupt and cold; he talked little, but he neither made a show of his knowledge nor used long words to his patients. I like doctors of that sort.
After a few days I was much better, and I began to recover my strength.
Pettermann was still in my room; he had told me to dismiss him as soon as he annoyed me, and I had kept him. I had become accustomed to his services and attentions. I could not doubt his attachment, for he had given me proofs of it. One especially convincing proof was that he had not drunk too much a single time since he had const.i.tuted himself my nurse. It was not selfish interest that guided him, for by refusing my purse when I went up to his room he had proved that he did not care for money. I had noticed also that he was neither prying nor talkative.
I indulged in all these reflections one evening as I lay upon a couch.
Pettermann was seated by the window; he said nothing, for he never tried to converse when I did not speak to him. Sometimes we pa.s.sed several hours in succession without a word; that was another quality which I liked in him.
”Pettermann.”
”Monsieur.”
”Are you very much attached to your tailor's trade?”
”Faith, monsieur, I have had so little work lately that I shall end by forgetting my trade. And then, I may as well admit that I have never been able to distinguish myself at it, and I am sick of it!”
”As soon as I have fully recovered my strength, I propose to leave Paris and travel, for a very long time perhaps. If I should suggest to you to go with me, to remain with me, not as a servant, but as a confidential friend and trusted companion, how would that suit you?”
”Suit me! prout! that would suit me completely, monsieur. I will be your groom, your valet, whatever you choose; for I am sure that you will never treat me in a way to humiliate me.”