And, feeling that he was no longer master of himself, he left, swearing loud enough to shake the plaster from the stair-walls.
Maxence shook with indignation.
"Never," he uttered, "never until now, had I understood the infamy of my conduct. With a father such as ours, Gilberte, I should be your protector. And now I am debarred even of the right to interfere. But never mind, I have the will; and all will soon be repaired."
Left alone, a few moments after, Mlle. Gilberte was congratulating herself upon her firmness.
"I am sure," she thought, "Marius would approve, if he knew."
She had not long to wait for her reward. The bell rang: it was her old professor, the Signor Gismondo Pulei, who came to give her his daily lesson.
The liveliest joy beamed upon his face, more shriveled than an apple at Easter; and the most magnificent anticipations sparkled in his eyes.
"I knew it, signora!" he exclaimed from the thresh-old: "I knew that angels bring good luck. As every thing succeeds to you, so must every thing succeed to those who come near you."
