United States or Heard Island and McDonald Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Well when your mother was a young girl, about twenty, she fled from her paternal home with a man she loved. Forsaken afterward, she found herself in the depths of poverty. She was obliged to live. You were starving. So she changed her name, and now she is known as Lia d'Argeles." M. Wilkie sprang to his feet. "Lia d'Argeles!" he exclaimed.
Thus, although he assumed an air of insolent security, the "viscount" anxiously watched the effect of his words upon Madame d'Argeles. Fortunately for himself, he saw that she was abashed by his cynicism; and so he resumed: "Besides, as our friend, the baron, would say, we are wasting precious time in discussing improbable, and even impossible, suppositions.
Such a thing was not to be tolerated. "This is astonishing astonishing, upon my word!" said he. "You moralizing! that's really too good! I should like a few minutes to laugh; it is too ridiculous!" Was he really conscious of the cruelty of his ironical words? The blow was so terrible that Madame d'Argeles staggered beneath it.
Two millions at five per cent. ought to greatly alleviate one's sufferings." Madame d'Argeles did not deign to notice this delicate irony. "I will tell you in advance to what purpose I intend to apply this sum," she said. "Ah!"
The question took him completely by surprise; and feeling that his answer would have a very considerable influence upon what might follow, he hesitated. "Will you answer me?" insisted Madame d'Argeles, imperiously. "She loved another, did she not?" "To tell the truth, I believe she did," the agent stammered. "But I have no proof of it, madame."
And he marvelled at the freak of fate which had connected the unfortunate man who had been sacrificed with the unacknowledged daughter, and the cast-off sister, of the Count de Chalusse. A vague presentiment, the mysterious voice of instinct, warned him, moreover, that his profit in the affair would depend upon the antagonism, or alliance, of Mademoiselle Marguerite and Madame d'Argeles.
It was Baron Trigault. Like the other guests, the baron had seen the terrible effect produced upon Madame d'Argeles by a simple visiting card. But he had this advantage over the others: he thought he could divine and explain the reason of this sudden, seemingly incomprehensible terror. "The poor woman has been betrayed," he thought; "her son is here!"
Would he be able to hold his father at bay even with the assistance of M. de Coralth and the Marquis de Valorsay? A thousand questions rose to his lips, for he was eager to hear the particulars of his mother's flight; but Madame d'Argeles hurried on with her story as if she feared her strength would fail before she reached the end. "I was alone with you, Wilkie, in this great city," she resumed.
It occurred to him that Madame d'Argeles had perhaps described him to her servants, and had given them strict orders not to admit him. "I'll find out if that is the case, even if I have to wait here until to-morrow morning," he thought, angrily. However, he had not been on guard very long, when he saw a brougham stop in front of the mansion, whereupon the gate opened, as if by enchantment.
Is it still no? Very well then; to-morrow, then, you may expect an official notice. I wish you good-evening." He bowed; he was really going, for his hand was already on the door-knob. But Madame d'Argeles detained him with a gesture. "One word more," she said, in a voice hoarse with emotion. He scarcely deigned to come back, and he made no attempt to conceal his impatience.
Word Of The Day