The girl of the lower classes is armed
against misfortune, and has been trained for the conflict. She
can measure and calculate the force of her fall, and regulate and
control it to a certain extent. But the others cannot. They have
never known privation and hardship, and are, therefore,
defenceless. And for the very reason that they have been hurled
from a great height, they often fall down into the lowest depths
of infamy.
"If morning would only come," sighed M. Isidore Fortunat, as he
tossed restlessly to and fro. "As soon as morning comes I will
set to work!"
But just before daybreak he fell asleep; and at nine o'clock he
was still slumbering so soundly that Madame Dodelin, his
housekeeper, had considerable difficulty in waking him. "Your
clerks have come," she exclaimed, shaking him vigorously; "and two
clients are waiting for you in the reception-room."
He sprang up, hastily dressed himself, and went into his office.
It cost him no little effort to receive his visitors that morning;
but it would have been folly to neglect all his other business for
the uncertain Chalusse affair. The first client who entered was a
man still young, of common, even vulgar appearance. Not being
acquainted with M. Fortunat, he deemed it proper to introduce
himself without delay. "My name is Leplaintre, and I am a coal
merchant," said he. "I was recommended to call on you by my
friend Bouscat, who was formerly in the wine trade.
Pages:
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291