Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/254

230 him like a gift of divination, began by revealing to her the Count's financial difficulties; then he predicted the downfall of the great lord and even his early departure. Contrary to the valet's expectation, Claudie, although surprised, showed herself none the less inclined for the ruined gentleman. She almost rejoiced at this disaster, for she flattered herself to capture the Count, if not by love at least by money. From that moment she cherished a little project, which, in her judgment, must infallibly succeed,and of which she did not breathe a word to anybody.

If Kehlmark was ruined or nearly so, Claudie considered herself rich enough for both. Then, there still remained the title of Countess and the prestige attached to EscalVigor. The Govaertzes felt themselves equal to regilding the blazon of the Kehlmarks. Meanwhile they entered in appearance into the movement of disapproval started and encouraged by Landrillon against the Dykgrave, and even seemed ostensibly to countenance the varlet's proceedings.

In the parish, the wags did not scruple to say that out of spite at not being able to lay hold on the Count's coronet she had fastened on to the servant's livery.