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Updated: May 19, 2025
His is a devotion which it would be well to retain." The duke opened his eyes to their widest extent. "Lacheneur's pride!" he murmured. "Devotion which it would be well to retain! Why do you sing in this strain? Whence comes this extraordinary interest?" He paused, enlightened by a sudden recollection. "I understand!" he exclaimed; "I understand. He has a pretty daughter."
The duke overturned the table with a terrible blow of his clinched fist. "You lie, wretch!" he thundered, with the most horrible oaths. He was so formidable in his anger that the old poacher sprang to the door and turned the knob, ready to take flight. "May I lose my head if I do not speak the truth," he insisted. "Ah! Lacheneur's daughter is a regular sorceress.
Day after day passed and the abbe's sinister apprehensions were not realized; he, too, began to regain confidence. Instead of causing an increase of severity, Maurice's and Jean Lacheneur's frightful imprudence had been, as it were, the point of departure for a universal indulgence. They soon heard at the farm that Maurice and the brave corporal had succeeded in reaching Piedmont.
Blanche de Courtornieu did not surprise the inhabitants of Montaignac in the least. But spreading such a report, with Lacheneur's execution fresh in the minds of everyone, could not fail to bring odium upon these men who had held absolute power, and who had exercised it so mercilessly.
Five minutes later the house was in flames. In the distance the baron and his companion saw the windows of the citadel at Montaignac illuminated by a red glare, and upon every hill-side glowed the light of other incendiary fires. The country was responding to Lacheneur's signal. Ah! ambition is a fine thing!
Yes, you are my friends; yes, I am devoted to you and it is for that very reason that I answer: no, no, never!" There could no longer be any doubt. M. d'Escorval seized Lacheneur's hands, and almost crushing them in his grasp: "Unfortunate man!" he exclaimed, hoarsely, "what do you intend to do? Of what terrible vengeance are you dreaming?" "I swear to you " "Oh! do not swear.
But all these precautions were unnecessary. Public sentiment had declared itself in an unmistakable manner, and it was evident that Lacheneur's hopes had not been without some foundation. The police discovered nothing, not so much as a single detail of the escape.
You are an honest man; think of the frightful responsibility you assume! What! upon these frail hopes, you dare to peril the lives of hundreds of brave men? I tell you that you will not succeed; you will be betrayed; I am sure you will be betrayed!" An expression of horror contracted Lacheneur's features. It was evident to all that he was deeply moved.
Lecoq therefore checked himself, and took up his hat preparatory to departure. "Now," said he, "I must ask you, sir, for my liberty; if you have any orders, you will find a trusty messenger in the corridor, Father Absinthe, one of my colleagues. I want to find out something about Lacheneur's letter and the diamond earring." "Go, then," replied M. Segmuller, "and good luck to you!" Good luck!
"What part am I playing here, then?" he exclaimed, indignantly. He had been so completely blinded by passion that he would not have been likely to discover the real condition of affairs even if no pains had been taken to deceive him. Lacheneur's formal courtesy and politeness he regarded as sincere.
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