ost
dangerous; for suspicion is laid asleep, and they keep watch in the dark.
Oh! my dear young lady, if you knew their frightful ability! In my hatred
of all that is oppressive, cowardly, and hypocritical, I had studied the
history of that terrible society, before I knew that the Abbe d'Aigrigny
belonged to it. Oh! it is dreadful. If you knew what means they employ!
When I tell you that, thanks to their diabolical devices, the most pure
and devoted appearances often conceal the most horrible snares." Rodin's
eye rested, as if by chance, on the hunchback; but, seeing that Adrienne
did not take the hint, the Jesuit continued: "In a word--are you not
exposed to their pursuits?--have they any interest in gaining you
over?--oh! from that moment, suspect all that surround you, suspect the
most noble attachments, the most tender affections, for these monsters
sometimes succeed in corrupting your best friends, and making a terrible
use of them, in proportion to the blindness of your confidence."

"Oh! it is impossible," cried Adrienne, in horror. "You must exaggerate.
No! hell itself never dreamed of more frightful treachery!"

"Alas, my dear young lady! one of your relations, M. Hardy--the most
loyal and generous-hearted man that could be--has been the victim of some
such infamous treachery. Do you know what we learned from the reading of
your ancestor's will? Why, that he died the victim of the malevolence of
these people; and now, at the lapse of a hundred and fifty years, his
descendants are still exposed to the hate of that indestructible
society."

"Oh, sir! it terrifies me," said Adrienne, feeling her heart sink within
her. "But are there no weapons against such attacks?"

"Prudence, my dear young lady--the most watchful caution--the most
incessant study and suspicion of all that approach you."

"But such a life would be frightful! It is a torture to be the victim of
continual suspicions, doubts, and fears."

"Without doubt! They know it well, the wretches! That constitutes their
strength. They often triumph by the very excess of the precautions taken
against them. Thus, my dear young lady, and you, brave and worthy
soldier, in the name of all that is dear to you, be on your guard, and do
not lightly impart your confidence. Be on your guard, for you have nearly
fallen the victims of those people. They will always be your implacable
enemies. And you, also, poor, interesting girl!" added the Jesuit,
speaking to Moth