to favor me with a call
here on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between the hours of
two and four, on business concerning you.--I am,
etc.--LAMANEUR."

George had reddened in turn. "That is what it must be," said he. "It is
strange, though, that it is you who are summoned, and not myself, who am
legally the head of the family."

She did not answer at once, but after a brief period of reflection,
said: "Shall we go round there by and by?"

"Yes, certainly."

They set out as soon as they had lunched. When they entered Maitre
Lamaneur's office, the head clerk rose with marked attention and ushered
them in to his master. The notary was a round, little man, round all
over. His head looked like a ball nailed onto another ball, which had
legs so short that they almost resembled balls too. He bowed, pointed to
two chairs, and turning towards Madeleine, said: "Madame, I have sent
for you in order to acquaint you with the will of the Count de Vaudrec,
in which you are interested."

George could not help muttering: "I thought so."

The notary went on: "I will read to you the document, which is very
brief."

He took a paper from a box in front of him, and read as follows:

"I, the undersigned, Paul Emile Cyprien Gontran, Count de Vaudrec, being
sound in body and mind, hereby express my last wishes. As death may
overtake us at any moment, I wish, in provision of his attacks, to take
the precaution of making my will, which will be placed in the hands of
Maitre Lamaneur. Having no direct heirs, I leave the whole of my
fortune, consisting of stock to the amount of six hundred thousand
francs, and landed property worth about five hundred thousand francs, to
Madame Claire Madeleine Du Roy without any charge or condition. I beg
her to accept this gift of a departed friend as a proof of a deep,
devoted, and respectful affection."

The notary added: "That is all. This document is dated last August, and
replaces one of the same nature, written two years back, with the name
of Madame Claire Madeleine Forestier. I have this first will, too, which
would prove, in the case of opposition on the part of the family, that
the wishes of Count de Vaudrec did not vary."

Madeleine, very pale, looked at her feet. George nervously twisted the
end of his moustache between his fingers. The notary continued after a
moment of silence: "It is, of course, understood, sir, that your wife
cannot accept the legacy without your consent.