Mme Burle again repeated:
"He has stolen. It was inevitable."
Then without a word of judgment or condemnation she added simply: "Two
thousand francs--we have not got them. There are barely thirty francs in
the house."
"I expected as much," said Laguitte. "And do you know where all the
money goes? Why, Melanie gets it--yes, Melanie, a creature who has
turned Burle into a perfect fool. Ah, those women! Those fiendish women!
I always said they would do for him! I cannot conceive what he is made
of! He is only five years younger than I am, and yet he is as mad as
ever. What a woman hunter he is!"
Another long silence followed. Outside the rain was increasing in
violence, and throughout the sleepy little town one could hear the
crashing of slates and chimney pots as they were dashed by the blast
onto the pavements of the streets.
"Come," suddenly said the major, rising, "my stopping here won't mend
matters. I have warned you--and now I'm off."
"What is to be done? To whom can we apply?" muttered the old woman
drearily.
"Don't give way--we must consider. If I only had the two thousand
francs--but you know that I am not rich."
The major stopped short in confusion. This old bachelor, wifeless and
childless, spent his pay in drink and gambled away at ecarte whatever
money his cognac and absinthe left in his pocket.
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