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And if it takes ten thousand francs to put them there, and if neither Mademoiselle Marguerite nor M. Ferailleur has the amount ah, well! I'll advance well, at least five thousand without charging them any commission. I'll even pay the expenses out of my own pocket, if necessary. Ah, my fine fellows, you've laughed too soon. In a week's time we'll see who laughs last."
"I scarcely know how to testify my gratitude even now, monsieur, and yet if I dared if I did not fear to abuse your kindness, I should ask one more favor." "Speak, Monsieur Ferailleur." "It is this, I do not know the Marquis de Valorsay; and if, instead of leaving the door wide open, you would partially close it, I should hear as distinctly, and I could also see him." "Agreed," replied the baron.
Should any suspicion bring Madame Vantrasson here, all would be lost." "She cannot come upon us unawares, my dear mother. Chupin has promised not to lose sight of her. If she stirs from her shop, he will hasten here and throw a stone against the shutters to warn us." But even this did not satisfy Madame Ferailleur.
Then as the servant retired, the baron turned to Pascal and said: "Well, M. Ferailleur, do you divine my intentions?" "I think so, monsieur. You probably intend me to hear the conversation you are going to have with M. de Valorsay." "Exactly. I shall leave the door open, and you can listen."
I fancied I saw you in the Bois, in the Marquis de Valorsay's dog-cart." A slight flush suffused M. de Coralth's cheeks, and to hide it, perhaps, he turned toward the visitor who had entered with him, and drew him toward Madame d'Argeles, saying, "Allow me, madame, to present to you one of my great friends, M. Pascal Ferailleur, an advocate whose name will be known to fame some day."
"But we have enemies Madame d'Argeles, Fortunat " "Madame d'Argeles is about to leave Paris. If Fortunat is troublesome I will purchase his silence; Maumejan has promised me money." But M. de Coralth had kept his strongest argument until the last. "And Pascal Ferailleur?" said he. "You have forgotten him." No; M. de Valorsay had not forgotten him.
They could bear adversity unmoved; but their composure deserted them in this excess of happiness; and standing in the door-way, Madame Ferailleur felt the tears come to her eyes as she stood watching them. "How can I tell you all that I have suffered!" said Pascal, whose voice was hoarse with feeling. "The papers have told you all the details, I suppose.
"And why?" "Because M. Ferailleur owes it to you, and, what is more, he owes it to himself, not to accept such a sacrifice." Failing to understand his meaning, she looked at him inquiringly. "You will forgive me, I trust," he continued, "if I warn you to prepare for a disappointment. Innocent or guilty, M. Ferailleur is disgraced.
But when I discovered this scheme for mining M. Ferailleur, I cried 'halt! My conscience revolted at that. Dishonor an innocent man! It was base, cowardly, outrageous! And not being able to prevent this infamous act, I swore that I would avenge it." Would Mademoiselle Marguerite accept this explanation?
Madame Ferailleur was playing a game of whist with a party of old friends, according to her custom every Thursday evening, when M. de Coralth called to invite the young advocate to accompany him to Madame d'Argeles's reception. Pascal considered his friend's invitation exceedingly well timed.
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