silence
malignant tongues since the will is there, signed by Vaudrec."

He said angrily: "Do you need to exhibit it, or affix it to the door?
You are absurd! We will say that the fortune was left us jointly by
Count de Vaudrec. That is all. You cannot, moreover, accept the legacy
without my authority; I will only consent on the condition of a
partition which will prevent me from becoming a laughing-stock for the
world."

She glanced sharply at him: "As you will. I am ready."

He seemed to hesitate again, rose, paced the floor, and avoiding his
wife's piercing gaze, he said: "No--decidedly no--perhaps it would be
better to renounce it altogether--it would be more correct--more
honorable. From the nature of the bequest even charitably-disposed
people would suspect illicit relations."

He paused before Madeleine. "If you like, my darling, I will return to
M. Lamaneur's alone, to consult him and to explain the matter to him. I
will tell him of my scruples and I will add that we have agreed to
divide it in order to avoid any scandal. From the moment that I accept
a portion of the inheritance it will be evident that there is nothing
wrong. I can say: 'My wife accepts it because I, her husband,
accept'--I, who am the best judge of what she can do without
compromising herself."

Madeleine simply murmured: "As you wish."

He continued: "Yes, it will be as clear as day if that is done. We
inherit a fortune from a friend who wished to make no distinction
between us, thereby showing that his liking for you was purely
Platonic. You may be sure that if he had given it a thought, that is
what he would have done. He did not reflect--he did not foresee the
consequences. As you said just now, he offered you flowers every week,
he left you his wealth."

She interrupted him with a shade of annoyance:

"I understand. No more explanations are necessary. Go to the notary at
once."

He stammered in confusion: "You are right; I will go." He took his hat,
and, as he was leaving the room, he asked: "Shall I try to compromise
with the nephew for fifty thousand francs?"

She replied haughtily: "No. Give him the hundred thousand francs he
demands, and take them from my share if you wish."

Abashed, he murmured: "No, we will share it. After deducting fifty
thousand francs each we will still have a million net." Then he added:
"Until later, my little Made."

He proceeded to the notary's to explain the arrangement decided upon,
which