ld not help remarking a strange expression that marked the
features of Gayarre as I spoke. He was all attention, and when I told
of the raft of chairs, and expressed my conviction that they would not
support the steward a single moment, I fancied I saw the dark eyes of
the _avocat_ flashing with delight! There certainly was an expression
in them of ill-concealed satisfaction that was hideous to behold. I
might not have noticed this, or at all events not have understood it,
but for what Scipio had already told me. Now its meaning was
unmistakeable, and notwithstanding the "poor Monsieur Antoine!" to which
the hypocrite repeatedly gave utterance, I saw plainly that he was
secretly delighted at the idea of the old steward's having gone to the
bottom!

When I had finished my narrative, Gayarre drew the doctor aside; and the
two conversed for some moments in a low tone. I could hear part of what
passed between them. The doctor seemed not to care whether I overheard
him, while the other appeared equally anxious that their conversation
should not reach me. From the replies of the doctor I could make out
that the wily lawyer wished to have me removed from my present quarters,
and taken to an hotel in the village. He urged the peculiar position in
which the young lady (Mademoiselle Besancon) would be placed--alone in
her house with a stranger--a young man, etcetera, etcetera.

The doctor did not see the necessity of my removal on such grounds. The
lady herself did not wish it--in fact, would not hear of it; he
pooh-poohed the "peculiarity" of the "situation," good Doctor Reigart!--
the accommodation of the hotel was none of the best; besides, it was
already crowded with other sufferers; and here the speaker's voice sank
so low I could only catch odd phrases, as "stranger,", "not an
American", "lost everything", "friends far away", "the hotel no place
for a man without money." Gayarre's reply to this last objection was
that _he_ would be responsible for my hotel bill.

This was intentionally spoken loud enough for me to hear it; and I
should have felt grateful for such an offer, had I not suspected some
sinister motive for the lawyer's generosity. The doctor met the
proposal with still further objections.

"Impossible," said he; "bring on fever", "great risk", "would not take
the responsibility", "bad wound", "much loss of blood", "must remain
where he is for the present at least", "might be taken to the hotel in a