Page:Novels of Honoré de Balzac Volume 23.djvu/170

 Savinien to a long and mature examination. His conduct has just made him suspected by all families, and placed between him and any heiress barriers which will be overcome with difficulty.”

A divine smile dried Ursule’s tears and she said:

“In some circumstances misfortune is a good thing!”

The doctor could not answer this simplicity.

“What has he done, godfather?” she resumed.

“In two years, my little angel, he has contracted one hundred and twenty thousand francs’ worth of debts in Paris! He was foolish enough to allow himself to be put in Sainte-Pélagie, a blunder which, as times go, brings a young man into disrepute forever. A spendthrift who is capable of plunging a poor mother into sorrow and want, would kill his wife from despair as your poor father did.”

“Do you think he could reform?” she asked.

“If his mother pays for him, he would be reduced to beggary, and I know no worse correction for a nobleman than to be without money.”

This answer made Ursule thoughtful; she dried her tears and said to her godfather:

“If you can, do save him, godfather; this service would give you the right to advise him; you would remonstrate with him—”

“And,” said the doctor, imitating Ursule’s way of speaking, “he could come here, the old lady would come here, we should see them, and—”

“I was only thinking of him just then,” replied Ursule, blushing.