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Updated: June 8, 2025
I believe you want to keep 'em." And I assumed a disgusted air. "I don't!" she flashed out passionately. "I don't want to touch them! I wouldn't keep them for the world!" I looked at my watch. With a swift motion, Marie Delhasse leaped from her chair, dashed down the lid of the box, hiding the glitter of the stones, seized the box in her two hands and with eyes averted held it out to me.
He told me that his inquiries after Marie Delhasse had been fruitless, and added that he supposed there would be a police inquiry into the attempted robbery and the consequent death of Lafleur; indeed he was of opinion that the duke had gone to Avranches to arrange for it as much as to prosecute his search for Marie.
I rattled the handle cautiously and then again, and again. And presently I heard a light, timid, hesitating step inside; and through the door came, in the voice of Marie Delhasse: "Who's there?" And I answered at once, boldly, but in a low voice: "It is I. Open the door."
Marie Delhasse stretched out her hand and began to finger the stones. "She wore them, did she?" "Certainly." "Ah! I supposed they had just been bought." And she took her fingers off them. "It would take a large sum to do that to buy them en bloc," I observed. "How much?" "Oh, I don't know! The market varies so much: perhaps a million francs, perhaps more.
Yet, when I had been married to Marie Delhasse some six months, I received a letter from my good friend Gustave de Berensac, informing me of his approaching union with Mme. de Saint-Maclou. And, if I might judge from Gustave's letter, he repudiated utterly the idea which I have ventured to suggest concerning the duchess.
Perfect rest and freedom from excitement were unattainable until I had learned whether Marie Delhasse was still safe within the old white walls which I saw before me; for, though I could not trace how the change in me had come, nor track its growth, I knew now that if she were there the walls held what was of the greatest moment to me in all the world, and that if she were not there the world was a hell to me until I found her.
I tossed the red box down on the table, and flung myself into an armchair. I had half a mind to send the box down to Marie Delhasse by the waiter with my compliments; but my ill-humor did not carry me so far as thus to risk betraying her to her mother, and I perceived that I must have one more interview with her and the sooner the better.
I was in sore distress for Marie Delhasse, my vehement cry witnessed it, yet I had not the will to move to her aid; will and power both seemed to fail me.
So I did but say very quietly: "I think you are wrong. Mlle. Delhasse knew nothing of her mother's device." "You do not deny all of what I say," observed the duchess. "Mlle. Delhasse," I returned, "is in no need of what you suggest; but I hope that she will be my wife." "And some day," said the duchess, "you will see the necklace or perhaps that would not be safe. Madame will send the money."
But I fear all is not well." "I pray you to speak plainly. Where is she?" "I do not know where she is. What I know, sir, you shall know, for I believe you come in honesty. This morning some two hours ago a carriage drove from the town here. Mme. Delhasse was in it, and with her the Duke of Saint-Maclou. I could not refuse to let the woman see her daughter.
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