Gilbert again entered into conversation with the Abbé Bérardier, in which he pointed out to him the line of conduct he should observe with regard to Sebastien.
He then got into the hackney coach with his two companions.
Chapter XXI
Madame de Staël
WHEN Gilbert resumed his place in the hackney coach by the side of Billot and opposite to Pitou, he was pale, and the perspiration was standing in large drops on his forehead.
But it was not in the nature of this man to remain for any time overwhelmed by any emotion whatsoever. He threw himself back into the corner of the carriage, pressed both his hands to his forehead as if he wished to repress the boiling thoughts which raged within it, and after remaining a few moments motionless, he withdrew his hands, and instead of an agitated countenance, he exhibited features which were particularly calm.
“You told me, I think, my dear Monsieur Billot, that the king had dismissed Monsieur de Necker?”
“Yes, indeed, Monsieur Gilbert.”
“And that the commotions in Paris originated in some measure from the disgrace of the minister?”
“Very much.”
“And you added that Monsieur de Necker had immediately left Versailles.”
“He received the king’s letter while at dinner. In an hour afterwards he was on the road to Brussels.”
“Where he is now?”
“Or ought to be.”
“Did you not hear it said that he had stopped somewhere on the road?”
“Oh, yes; he stopped at St. Ouen, in order to take leave of his daughter, the Baroness de Staël.”
“Did Madame de Staël go with him?”
“I was told that he and his wife alone set out for Brussels.”
“Coachman!” cried Gilbert, “stop at the first tailor’s shop you see.”
“You wish to change your coat?” said Billot.
“Yes. In good sooth, this one smells too much of its contact with the walls of the Bastille; and a man cannot in such a dress discreetly pay a visit to the daughter of an ex-minister in disgrace. Search your pockets, and see if you cannot find a few louis for me.”
“Ho, ho!” cried the farmer, “it seems that you have left your purse in the Bastille.”
“That is according to the regulations,” said Gilbert, smiling. “All articles of value are deposited in the registry office.”
“And they remain there,” said the farmer.
And opening his huge fist, which contained about twenty louis:—
“Take these, Doctor,” said he.
Gilbert took ten louis. Some minutes afterwards the hackney coach stopped at the door of a ready-made clothes shop.
It was still the usage in those days.
Gilbert changed his coat, soiled by the walls of the Bastille, for a very decent black one, such as was worn by the gentlemen of the Tiers État in the National Assembly.
A hair-dresser in his shop, a Savoyard shoe-cleaner in his cellar, completed the doctor’s toilette.
The doctor then ordered the coachman to drive him to St. Ouen, by the exterior Boulevards, which they reached by going behind the walls of the park at Monceaux.
Gilbert alighted at the gate of Monsieur Necker’s house, at the moment when the cathedral clock of Dagobert struck seven in the evening.
Around this house, which erewhile was so much sought, so much frequented, reigned the most profound silence, disturbed only by the arrival of Gilbert.
And yet there was none of that melancholy appearance which generally surrounds abandoned country-houses,—of that gloominess even generally visible in a mansion, the master of which has been disgraced.
The gates being closed, the garden-walks deserted, merely announced that the heads of the family were absent, but there was no trace of misfortune or of precipitation.
Besides this, one whole portion of the château, the east wing, had still its window-shutters open, and when Gilbert was advancing towards this side, a servant, wearing the livery of Monsieur de Necker, approached the visitor.
The following dialogue then took place through the iron gratings of the gate.
“Monsieur de Necker is not at home, my friend?” said Gilbert.
“No; the baron left St. Ouen last Saturday for Brussels.”
“And her ladyship, the baroness?”
“Went with Monsieur.”
“But Madame de Staël?”
“Madame de Staël has remained here; but I do not know whether madame will receive any one; it is her hour for walking.”