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Pascal saw he could expect no assistance from this source. "M. de Coralth could assure you," he began. "Oh, enough of that," interrupted a player. "I myself heard M. de Coralth do his best to persuade you not to play." So the unfortunate fellow's last and only hope had vanished. Still he made a supreme effort, and addressing Madame d'Argeles: "Madame," he said, in a voice trembling with anguish?
In this frightful crisis, he was only conscious of one fact that just as he raised his hand to strike Madame Lia d'Argeles, his mother, a big, burly individual had burst into the room, like a bombshell, caught him by the throat, forced him upon his knees, and compelled him to ask the lady's pardon. He, Wilkie, to be humiliated in this style! He would never endure that.
And without giving his friends time to congratulate him, he began to describe his interview with Madame d'Argeles, presenting his conduct in the most odious light possible, pretending he had indulged in all sorts of harsh rejoinders, and making himself out to be "a man of bronze," or "a block of marble," as he said.
"Allow me to finish since you don't understand me. As soon as I renounce the inheritance it becomes yours." "Truly?" "I have no wish to deceive you. I only desire that the name of Lia d'Argeles should not be mentioned. I will give you the necessary proofs to establish your identity; my marriage contract and your certificate of birth." It was joy that made M. Wilkie speechless now.
The salon, was an immense apartment, divided into two rooms by sliding doors and hangings. When Madame d'Argeles gave a ball, the rooms were thrown into one; but, as a general rule, one room was occupied by the card-players, and the other served as a refuge for those who wished to chat.
Thereupon, approaching a group of servants who were in close conference in the hall, he demanded, in his most imperious manner: "Madame d'Argeles!" The servants remembered the visitor perfectly; they now knew who he really was, and they could not understand how he could have the impudence and audacity to come there again so soon after the shameful scene of the previous evening.
The servant went off, and Madame d'Argeles then turned to her visitor again. But she seemed literally transfigured by the storm of passion which was raging in her heart and mind; her cheeks were crimson, and an unwonted energy sparkled in her eyes. "Let us finish this business," she said, curtly; "I am expecting some one."
And he was muttering some words of consolation, when Madame d'Argeles suddenly looked up and said: "I must see him I will see him once more! Come, monsieur!" But a terrible memory rooted her to the spot and with a despairing gesture, and in a voice quivering with anguish she exclaimed: "No, no I cannot even do that."
"Ah! my dear friend, how do you know what shameful advice he may have received before coming to you?" Madame d'Argeles half rose, and said, in an agitated voice: "What! you try to make me believe that? 'Advice! Then he must have found a man who said to him: 'Go to the house of this unfortunate woman who gave you birth, and order her to publish her dishonor and yours.
But no one listened, and he reluctantly prepared to follow his departing friends, who bowed to Madame d'Argeles on the landing, as they filed by, M. de Coralth, who was among the last to retire, had already reached the staircase, and descended two or three steps, when Madame d'Argeles called to him. "Remain," said she; "I want to speak with you." "You will excuse me," he began; "I "
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