In short, he put her in the secret of the
whole affair, advising her to keep absolute silence as to the mistake
she had just committed.
"Provided the cashier does not tell Nucingen," she said.
A few moments after mid-day, while du Tillet was breakfasting,
Monsieur Gigonnet was announced.
"Let him come in," said the banker, though his wife was at table.
"Well, my old Shylock, is our man locked up?"
"No."
"Why not? Didn't I give you the address, rue du Mail, hotel--"
"He has paid up," said Gigonnet, drawing from his wallet a pile of
bank-bills. Du Tillet looked furious. "You should never frown at
money," said his impassible associate; "it brings ill-luck."
"Where did you get that money, madame?" said du Tillet, suddenly
turning upon his wife with a look which made her color to the roots of
her hair.
"I don't know what your question means," she said.
"I will fathom this mystery," he cried, springing furiously up. "You
have upset my most cherished plans."
"You are upsetting your breakfast," said Gigonnet, arresting the
table-clock, which was dragged by the skirt of du Tillet's
dressing-gown.
Madame du Tillet rose to leave the room, for her husband's words
alarmed her. She rang the bell, and a footman entered.
"The carriage," she said. "And call Virginie; I wish to dress."
"Where are you going?" exclaimed du Tillet.
"Well-bred husbands do not question their wives," she answered.
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