He advised him to think of something else, placed at his disposal his entire fortune, and recommended him to marry a stout Poitevine heiress, very gay and healthy, who would bear him some fine children.

Then, as his estate was suffering by his absence, he returned home.

Two months later, the investigating magistrate had resumed his ordinary avocations.

But try as he would, he only went through his duties like a body without a soul.

He felt that something was broken.
Once he ventured to pay a visit to his old friend, the marchioness.