第50章

"So you have crossed the roofs to come and preach conversion to me, like Father Alexis!""Conversion! I don't know.I don't undertake to work miracles; but the metamorphosis--""You speak to me much about my soul; but my life, my destiny, will you also find the secret of transforming them?""That secret we will seek together.I have already some light upon it.Only let us not press it.Before undertaking that great work, it is essential that your heart should recover its health and strength.""Ingrate that I am!" cried Stephane."My destiny! It has changed from to-day.Yes, from this moment I am no longer alone in the world.Frightful void in which I consumed myself, despair who with your frightful wings made it night for an abandoned child, it is all over now, I am delivered from you; the instrument of torture is broken.Henceforth, I believe, I hope, I breathe! But think of it, my friend, for me to live will be to see you, to hear you, to speak to you.Could you come here often?""As often as prudence will permit,--two or three times a week.We will choose our days well; we will consult the sky, the wind, the stars.On other days, at propitious hours, we will place ourselves at our windows, and communicate by signs which we will agree upon, for it seems that you, like me, are long-sighted.And besides, Iknow the sign language.I will teach it to you, and if you ever send me such a message as this upon your fingers: 'I am sad, I am sick, come this evening at any risk'--Well, whatever the winds and stars may say--""To expose your life foolishly!" interrupted Stephane, "I would rather die.Curses upon me if ever by a caprice-- But away with such a thought! And how long, if you please, will this happiness, which you promise me, last? Some day, alas! retaking your liberty--""I have two, perhaps three years to pass here; it will even depend upon me whether I stay longer or not.Whatever happens, be assured, that before I leave this house, your destiny will have changed.I have told you to believe in the seen; believe also in the unforseen.""The unforeseen!" exclaimed Stephane, "I believe in it, since Ihave seen it enter here by the window."

And suddenly carrying his hand to his heart, he closed his eyes, became pale, and uttered a piteous moan.Gilbert sprang towards him, but repulsing him gently:

"Fear nothing," said he; "joy has come, I feel it there, it burns me.Let me enjoy a suffering so new and so sweet." He remained some minutes with his eyes closed; then reopening them, and shaking his beautiful head with its long curls, he said sportively:

"Sit down there quick, and teach me the deaf mute language.""Impossible," replied Gilbert; "the hour for going has already struck."Stephane impatiently stamped his foot.

"Teach me at least the first two letters; if I don't know a and b, I shall not be able to close my eyes to-night."Gilbert, taking him by the arm, led him to the window, where, drawing aside the curtain, he pointed out to him the stars already paling and a vague whiteness which appeared at the horizon.Then suddenly changing his tone, but still carried away by his impetuous nature, which stamped upon all the movements of his mind the character of passion, Stephane became much excited at the idea of the dangers which his friend was about to brave.

"I will go with you," said he, "I want to know what risks you run in coming here.To descend from the large roof to the small one, you must have had a ladder.I want to see this ladder, I want to assure myself that it is strong.""Do not be afraid, I have attended to that."

"When I tell you that I wish to see it! I will believe only my own eyes and hands.Where is this ladder? I positively must see it.""And I forbid you to climb this window.Take my word, my rope ladder is entirely new and very strong.""Ah!" exclaimed Stephane, struck with a sudden idea."I will bet that you have fastened it to that great iron corbel, which stretches its frightful beak up there at the angle of the wall.

And just now you were suspended in space on this treacherous floating cord.Monstrous fool that I was not to understand it."And to Gilbert's great astonishment, he added: