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"She is only in a state of syncope; there is no danger," declared the abbe, after he had examined Marie-Anne. "It will not be long before she regains consciousness." And then, rapidly but clearly, he gave the necessary directions to the servants, who were astonished at their mistress. Mme. d'Escorval looked on with eyes dilated with terror.
I will win him over to my side. With the daughter my course is plain. Profiting by my unfortunate experience, I will, in the future, be as timid as I have been bold; and she will be hard to please if she is not flattered by this triumph of her beauty. D'Escorval remains to be disposed of " But this was the point upon which Martial was most exercised.
So, in the morning, when he was conducted to the magistrate's room for examination, it was with a sort of frenzy that he dashed into the dreaded presence of his enemy. He expected to find M. d'Escorval there, ready to triumph over his misfortunes; and he intended to say: 'Yes, it's I. There is a fatality in it. I have killed three men, and I am in your power.
However, he was soon reassured. The magistrate's face retained its immobility, but again and again did M. d'Escorval nod his head in token of approval, and occasionally some point more ingenious than the others extorted from his lips the exclamations: "Not bad very good!"
Had M. de Courtornieu's counsels carried the day, or had Martial sent someone to aid him? "We must not be dawdling here," said the corporal, as soon as the door was closed. M. d'Escorval bounded from his chair. This man was a friend. Here was aid and life. "I am Bavois," continued the corporal.
They brought him his horse, and his foot was already in the stirrup, when two men sprang from the neighboring grove and darted toward him. One of them seized the horse by the bridle. "Abbe Midon!" exclaimed Lacheneur, in profound astonishment; "Monsieur d'Escorval!" And foreseeing, perhaps, what was to come, he added, in a tone of concentrated fury: "What do you two men want with me?"
"Those were her very words." "And still she loves you?" "I am sure of it." "You were not mistaken in Monsieur Lacheneur's tone when he said to you: 'Go, you little wretch! do you wish to render all my precautions useless?" "No." M. d'Escorval sat for a moment in silence. "This passes comprehension," he murmured at last.
Mme. d'Escorval and the abbe had now overtaken the cart. "It is very strange that Marie-Anne does not hear me," remarked young Poignot, turning to them. "We cannot take the baron to the house until we have seen her. She knows that very well. Shall I run up and warn her?" "She is asleep, perhaps," replied the abbe; "you stay with your horse, my boy, and I will go and wake her."
He ate even more than usual; and his father noticed, without alluding to it, that he drank much more wine than usual. He was very pale, his eyes glittered, his gestures were excited, and his voice was husky. He talked a great deal, and even jested. "Why will he not weep," thought Mme. d'Escorval; "then I should not be so much alarmed, and I could try to comfort him."
For a moment or two old Tabaret reclined upon his pillows enjoying the sweets of admiration; then he continued: "Do you wish for further proofs, my boy? Recollect the perseverance M. d'Escorval displayed in sending to M. Segmuller for information. I admit that a man may have a passion for his profession; but not to such an extent as that. You believed that his leg was broken.
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