husband, and thus the marquis
had designedly explained his matrimonial programme for my benefit. It
was a snare to catch the bird. I felt indignant that he should suppose
me so wanting in delicacy of feeling and nobility of character as to
be dazzled by the life of display and facile pleasure which he had
depicted. I had disliked him at first, and now I despised him; for it
was impossible to misunderstand the shameless proposal concealed beneath
his half-jesting words. He offered me my liberty in exchange for my
fortune. That is only a fair contract, one might say. Perhaps so; but if
he were willing to do this for a certain amount of money, what would
he not do for a sum twice or thrice as large? Such were my impressions,
though I asked myself again and again if I were not mistaken. No; the
events that followed only confirmed my suspicions. Three days later the
marquis came again. His visit was to the count, and they held a long
conference in this study. Having occasion to enter the room, after the
marquis's departure, I noticed on the table a number of title deeds
which he had probably brought for the count's inspection. On the
following week there was another conference, and this time a lawyer was
present. Any further doubts I might have felt were dispelled by Madame
Leon, who was always well informed--thanks to her habit of listening
at the keyholes. 'They are talking of marrying you to the Marquis de
Valorsay--I heard them,' she remarked to me.

"However, the information did not terrify me. I had profited by the time
allowed me for reflection, and I had decided upon the course I should
pursue. I am timid, but I am not weak; and I was determined to resist M.
de Chalusse's will in this matter, even if it became necessary for me
to leave his house, and renounce all hopes of the wealth he had promised
me. Still I said nothing to Pascal of my mental struggle and final
determination. I did not wish to bind him by the advice which he would
certainly have given me. I had his troth, and that sufficed. And it was
with a thrill of joy that I said to myself: 'What does it matter if M.
de Chalusse should be so angered by my refusal to obey him as to drive
me from his house? It will rather be so much the better; Pascal will
protect me.'

"But resistance is only possible when you are attacked; and M. de
Chalusse did not even allude to the subject--perhaps because affairs
had not yet been satisfactorily arranged between the marqui