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Updated: June 25, 2025
Look which way she would for comfort, she could find none; and she was condemned to bear her heavy burden alone. Those days of universal distrust were not propitious for the birth and development of new friendships; nor were Vauquelas and Coursegol such companions as Dolores needed to cheer and encourage her.
"And in what way could I be of service to you?" Coursegol timidly inquired. "By lending me your name. We will buy sometimes in your name, sometimes in mine, so we shall not arouse suspicion." "But where shall we find the money?" Vauquelas arose and, without the slightest hesitation, replied: "Since I have begun to give you my confidence, I will hide nothing. Come with me."
Vauquelas opened a door and Coursegol saw a narrow stairway winding down into the cellar. "This is my wine-cellar and it is well stocked," said Vauquelas, with a smile. He spoke only the simple truth.
The self-constituted spy concluded that he had to deal with one of the Committee's secret agents; and he was inspired with such wholesome awe that he decided to push his investigations no further. In reality, Vauquelas was nothing more nor less than a man tormented by an unappeasable thirst for wealth. He had only one passion: a passion for gold.
"It is here," repeated Coursegol, "that I shall wait to receive from your hands the order of release that you have promised me. Now, it is for you to decide whether you will live or die." As he spoke, Coursegol pushed open the door leading to the cellar used by Vauquelas as the repository of his riches and disappeared.
"Heavens! there is some one behind the curtain!" That a robber should have effected an entrance into the house at that hour of the night was not at all impossible; and this was the first thought that entered her mind. She recollected, too, that Vauquelas and Coursegol had just gone out, that the servants were in bed and that she was to all intents and purposes alone in the house.
And they promised all that she asked, for it was impossible to resist so much grace, so much eloquence and so much humility. Then she took from her pocket the order of release which Coursegol had obtained through Vauquelas. She handed this to Philip. "There is your freedom," she resumed.
When it was ended, Vauquelas rubbed his hands joyfully. "She will not betray us," said he. "Ah well! Everything is for the best." He covered the box in which his gold was concealed with earth, and then the two men returned to the drawing-room.
"First, to have a cell to myself, if possible. I will pay for it." "That will be a difficult matter; but I think I can arrange it. And what else?" "I wish to send a letter to a person who is very dear to me." "His name?" "Coursegol. He lives at the house of Citizen Vauquelas, where I was living myself when I was arrested in his absence.
Surprised that the latter was not in bed at this late hour, and fearing she was ill, he hastily entered her room. Vauquelas was there alone, pale, nervous and excited. The girl's bed had not been disturbed. Her absence struck Coursegol at once. "Where is Dolores?" he asked, quickly. "Coursegol, why did you not tell me she was receiving Philip de Chamondrin here?" was his friend's only response.
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