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Updated: June 22, 2025
It is through Marie-Anne that Lacheneur exerts such an influence over Chanlouineau and the Marquis de Sairmeuse. If she became your wife to-day, they would desert him tomorrow. Then, too, it is precisely because he loves us that he is determined we shall not be mixed up in an enterprise the success of which is extremely doubtful. But these are mere conjectures."
In my opinion, he will dispossess only one of the owners of his former estates, and that is our worthy ex-mayor Monsieur Lacheneur, in short." Ah! he knew only too well the egotism of his compatriots. He knew with what complacency and eagerness they would accept an expiatory victim whose sacrifice should be their salvation.
She could not rid herself of the idea that Jean Lacheneur suspected her guilt, and that he was watching her. Her wish to find Marie-Anne's infant was stronger than ever. It seemed to her that the child might be a protection to her some day. But where could she find an agent in whom she could confide?
But the cure hoping to recall the extortioner to something like a sense of shame, exclaimed: "Monsieur le Duc! Oh, Monsieur le Duc!" Lacheneur shrugged his shoulders with an air of resignation. "The income I have used for my own living expenses, and in educating my children; but most of it has been expended in improving the estate, which today yields an income twice as large as in former years."
Who it was that M. de Courtornieu supposed he had seen, Blanche knew only too well; but she dared not, could not, utter the name. But the marquis had resumed his incoherent narrative. "Was I dreaming?" he continued. "No, it was certainly Lacheneur who confronted me.
It seemed incomprehensible to them, under such circumstances, that the marquis had not pardoned Lacheneur. Mme. Blanche alone retained her presence of mind. Turning to her father's valet, she said: "It is not possible that anyone has attempted to injure my father?" "I beg your pardon, Mademoiselle, a little more and he would have been killed." "How do you know this?"
"Listen," said he, with affected harshness. "Two questions only, and then I will leave you. Was there a man named Gustave among the frequenters of the Poivriere?" "No, sir, I'm quite sure there wasn't." "Very well. But Lacheneur you must know Lacheneur!" "Yes, sir; I know him." The young police agent could not repress an exclamation of delight.
"I approve your course, my son," said M. d'Escorval, deeply affected; "you have conducted yourself like an honorable man. Certainly you are very young to become the head of a family; but, as you say, circumstances demand it." He turned to M. Lacheneur, and added: "My dear friend, I, in my son's behalf, ask the hand of your daughter in marriage." Maurice had not expected so little opposition.
But he quickly mastered his emotion, and in a second his quick mind revolved all the possibilities that might have produced this visit: "Lacheneur has been arrested!" he exclaimed, "and you, wishing to save him from the fate which the military commission will pronounce upon him, have thought of me. Thank you, dearest Marie-Anne, thank you for your confidence. I will not abuse it.
Bewildered by these violent adjurations, and urged on by the instinct of self-preservation, so powerful in every human heart, Lacheneur stepped out upon the threshold. The night was very dark, and a chilling fog intensified the gloom.
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