She remembered how solemnly she had assured Mr.Keller that her debts were really and truly paid.She remembered the inhuman scorn with which he had spoken of persons who failed to meet their pecuniary engagements honestly.Even if he forgave her for deceiving him--which was in the last degree improbable--he was the sort of man who would suspect her of other deceptions.He would inquire if she had been quite disinterested in attending at his bedside,and saving his life.He might take counsel privately with his only surviving partner,Mrs.Wagner.Mrs.Wagner might recall the interview in the drawing-room,and the conversation about Jack;and might see her way to consulting Jack's recollections of his illness at Wurzburg.The risk to herself of encountering these dangers was trifling.But the risk to Minna involved nothing less than the breaking off of the marriage.She decided on keeping up appearances,at any sacrifice,until the marriage released her from the necessities of disguise.
So it came back again to the question of how the money was to be found.
Had she any reasonable hope of success,if she asked for a few days'leave of absence,and went to Wurzburg?Would the holder of the bill allow her to renew it for a fortnight?
She got up,and consulted her glass--and turned away from it again,with a sigh."If I was only ten years younger!"she thought.
The letter which she received from Wurzburg had informed her that the present holder of the bill was "a middle-aged man."If he had been very young,or very old,she would have trusted in the autumn of her beauty,backed by her ready wit.But experience had taught her that the fascinations of a middle-aged woman are,in the vast majority of cases,fascinations thrown away on a middle-aged man.Even if she could hope to be one of the exceptions that prove the rule,the middle-aged man was an especially inaccessible person,in this case.He had lost money by her already--money either paid,or owing,to the spy whom he had set to watch her.Was this the sort of man who would postpone the payment of his just dues?
She opened one of the drawers in the toilette table,and took out the pearl necklace."I thought it would come to this,"she said quietly.
"Instead of paying the promissory note,Mr.Keller will have to take the necklace out of pledge."The early evening darkness of winter had set in.She dressed herself for going out,and left her room,with the necklace in its case,concealed under her shawl.
Poor puzzled Minna was waiting timidly to speak to her in the corridor.
"Oh mamma,do forgive me!I meant it for the best."The widow put one arm (the other was not at liberty)round her daughter's waist."You foolish child,"she said,"will you never understand that your poor mother is getting old and irritable?I may think you have made a great mistake,in sacrificing yourself to the infirmities of an asthmatic stranger at Munich;but as to being ever really angry with you--!Kiss me,my love;I never was fonder of you than I am now.Lift my veil.Oh,my darling,I don't like giving you to anybody,even to Fritz."Minna changed the subject--a sure sign that she and Fritz were friends again."How thick and heavy your veil is!"she said.
"It is cold out of doors,my child,to-night.""But why are you going out?"
"I don't feel very well,Minna.A brisk walk in the frosty air will do me good.""Mamma,do let me go with you!"
"No,my dear.You are not a hard old woman like me--and you shall not run the risk of catching cold.Go into my room,and keep the fire up.I shall be back in half an hour.
"Where is my necklace,mamma?"
"My dear,the bride's mother keeps the bride's necklace--and,when we do try it on,we will see how it looks by daylight."In a minute more,Madame Fontaine was out in the street,on her way to the nearest jeweler.
CHAPTER IX
The widow stopped at a jeweler's window in the famous street called the Zeil.The only person in the shop was a simple-looking old man,sitting behind the counter,reading a newspaper.
She went in."I have something to show you,sir,"she said,in her softest and sweetest tones.The simple old man first looked at her thick veil,and then at the necklace.He lifted his hands in amazement and admiration."May I examine these glorious pearls?"he asked--and looked at them through a magnifying glass,and weighed them in his hand."Iwonder you are not afraid to walk out alone in the dark,with such a necklace as this,"he said."May I send to my foreman,and let him see it?"Madame Fontaine granted his request.He rang the bell which communicated with the work-rooms.Being now satisfied that she was speaking to the proprietor of the shop,she risked her first inquiry.
"Have you any necklace of imitation pearls which resembles my necklace?"she asked.
The old gentleman started,and looked harder than ever at the impenetrable veil."Good heavens--no!"he exclaimed."There is no such thing in all Frankfort.
"Could an imitation be made,sir?"
The foreman entered the shop--a sullen,self-concentrated man."Fit for a queen,"he remarked,with calm appreciation of the splendid pearls.His master repeated to him Madame Fontaine's last question."They might do it in Paris,"he answered briefly."What time could you give them,madam?""I should want the imitation sent here before the thirteenth of next month."The master,humanely pitying the lady's ignorance,smiled and said nothing.The foreman's decision was rough and ready."Nothing like time enough;quite out of the question."Madame Fontaine had no choice but to resign herself to circumstances.She had entered the shop with the idea of exhibiting the false necklace on the wedding-day,whilst the genuine pearls were pledged for the money of which she stood in need.With the necklace in pawn,and with no substitute to present in its place,what would Minna say,what would Mr.