"Gone!" she murmured; "gone!
without a thought of me! Or does he believe me to be like all the
rest? But I will find him again. That man Fortunat, who
ascertained addresses for M. de Chalusse, will find Pascal for
me."
XIII.
Few people have any idea of the great number of estates which, in
default of heirs to claim them, annually revert to the government.
The treasury derives large sums from this source every year. And
this is easily explained, for nowadays family ties are becoming
less and less binding. Brothers cease to meet; their children no
longer know each other; and the members of the second generation
are as perfect strangers as though they were not united by a bond
of consanguinity. The young man whom love of adventure lures to a
far-off country, and the young girl who marries against her
parents' wishes, soon cease to exist for their relatives. No one
even inquires what has become of them. Those who remain at home
are afraid to ask whether they are prosperous or unfortunate, lest
they should be called upon to assist the wanderers. Forgotten
themselves, the adventurers in their turn soon forget. If fortune
smiles upon them, they are careful not to inform their relatives.
Poor--they have been cast off; wealthy--they themselves deny their
kindred. Having become rich unaided, they find an egotistical
satisfaction in spending their money alone in accordance with
their own fancies.
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