“And that is not all, madame,” added Fraisier.  Seeing that Mme. de Marville was about to speak, he cut her short with a gesture.  “I have a friend, the doctor in attendance on the old man who ought to leave his property to M. le President. (We are coming to the point, you see.) The doctor’s co-operation is indispensable, and the doctor is precisely in my position:  he has abilities, he is unlucky.  I learned through him how far your interests were imperiled; for even as I speak, all may be over, and the will disinheriting M. le President may have been made.  This doctor wishes to be head-surgeon of a hospital or of a Government school.  He must have a position in Paris equal to mine. . . .  Pardon me if I have enlarged on a matter so delicate; but we must have no misunderstandings in this business.  The doctor is, besides, much respected and learned; he saved the life of the Comtesse Popinot’s great-uncle, M. Pillerault.

“Now, if you are so good as to promise these two posts—­the appointment of justice of the peace and the sinecure for my friend—­I will undertake to bring you the property, almost intact.—­Almost intact, I say, for the co-operation of the legatee and several other persons is absolutely indispensable, and some obligations will be incurred.  You will not redeem your promises until I have fulfilled mine.”

The Presidente had folded her arms, and for the last minute or two sat like a person compelled to listen to a sermon.  Now she unfolded her arms, and looked at Fraisier as she said, “Monsieur, all that you say concerning your interests has the merit of clearness; but my own interests in the matter are by no means so clear—­”

“A word or two will explain everything, madame.  M. le President is M. Pons’ first cousin once removed, and his sole heir.  M. Pons is very ill; he is about to make his will, if it is not already made, in favor of a German, a friend of his named Schmucke; and he has more than seven hundred thousand francs to leave.  I hope to have an accurate valuation made in two or three days—­”

“If this is so,” said the Presidente, “I made a great mistake in quarreling with him and throwing the blame——­” she thought aloud, amazed by the possibility of such a sum.

“No, madame.  If there had been no rupture, he would be as blithe as a lark at this moment, and might outlive you and M. le President and me. . . .  The ways of Providence are mysterious, let us not seek to fathom them,” he added to palliate to some extent the hideous idea.  “It cannot be helped.  We men of business look at the practical aspects of things.  Now you see clearly, madame, that M. de Marville in his public position would do nothing, and could do nothing, as things are.  He has broken off all relations with his cousin.  You see nothing now of Pons; you have forbidden him the house; you had excellent reasons, no doubt, for doing as you did, but the old man is ill, and he is leaving his property to the only friend left to him.