n's face, and I
distinctly heard him gnash his teeth at this reply; but, to my surprise,
he resumed in tones of almost good-humour:

"Come, Mr. Romaine, do not let us be petty!" He drew in a chair and sat
down. "Understand you have stolen a march upon me. You have introduced
your soldier of Napoleon, and (how, I cannot conceive) he has been
apparently accepted with favour. I ask no better proof than the funds
with which I find him literally surrounded--I presume in consequence of
some extravagance of joy at the first sight of so much money. The odds
are so far in your favour, but the match is not yet won. Questions will
arise of undue influence, of sequestration, and the like: I have my
witnesses ready. I tell it you cynically, for you cannot profit by the
knowledge; and, if the worst come to the worst, I have good hopes of
recovering my own and of ruining you."

"You do what you please," answered Romaine; "but I give it you for a
piece of good advice, you had best do nothing in the matter. You will
only make yourself ridiculous; you will only squander money, of which
you have none too much, and reap public mortification."

"Ah, but there you make the common mistake, Mr. Romaine!" returned
Alain. "You despise your adversary. Consider, if you please, how very
disagreeable I could make myself if I chose. Consider the position of
your _protege_--an escaped prisoner! But I play a great game. I condemn
such petty opportunities."

At this Romaine and I exchanged a glance of triumph. It seemed manifest
that Alain had as yet received no word of Clausel's recapture and
denunciation. At the same moment the lawyer, thus relieved of the
instancy of his fear, changed his tactics. With a great air of
unconcern, he secured the newspaper, which still lay open before him on
the table.

"I think, Monsieur Alain, that you labour under some illusion," said he.
"Believe me, this is all beside the mark. You seem to be pointing to
some compromise. Nothing is further from my views. You suspect me of an
inclination to trifle with you, to conceal how things are going. I
cannot, on the other hand, be too early or too explicit in giving you
information which concerns you (I must say) capitally. Your great-uncle
has to-night cancelled his will, and made a new one in favour of your
cousin Anne. Nay, and you shall hear it from his own lips, if you
choose! I will take so much upon me," said the lawyer, rising. "Follow
me, if you please, gentleme