hand. Why do I hesitate? I
cannot tell."

"Does Monsieur de Laisangy inspire you with absolute confidence?" asked
Esperance, after a long pause.

The two friends had passed the Arc de Triomphe by this time, and entered
the dark shadows of the Bois.

"Monsieur de Laisangy seems to have an excellent reputation. Bankers are
measured by a standard of their own, and public opinion is never very
strict in regard to them. Monsieur de Laisangy is rich, but no one says
he has made his money dishonestly. I know nothing of his past, but have
never heard a whisper against him, and yet sometimes he inspires me with
absolute repulsion."

"My dear Goutran," said Esperance, in that grave, steady voice, which
was so like his father's, "I am very young, I know nothing of life, I
have never loved, but it seems to me that I could not speak as you have
done, if I felt sincerely or deeply. I do not think I could analyze my
ambitions so artistically." Esperance now began to speak more rapidly
and with emotion. "To love is to give up one's entire being, to live in
another. You say that you love, that your lips have touched those of
whom you have chosen, and that your heart sank at that same moment. No,
you do not love Carmen de Laisangy!"

At this moment both men heard the report of a pistol.

"What is that?" cried Goutran.

"Some crime, I fear," answered his companion.

The two friends forced their way through the underbrush, Esperance a
little in advance. Suddenly he beheld in an open space a prostrate form.
It was that of a woman. Esperance rushed forward and lifted her from the
ground. He uttered a hoarse cry. It was she whose life he had so
recently saved--it was Jane Zeld. A small revolver lay at her side.

Esperance, bearing her in his vigorous arms, made his way into the
road.

CHAPTER LII.

"WILL JANE ZELD LIVE?"

Goutran had not seen the face of the burthen borne by Esperance, who had
uttered no name, and whose movements had been so rapid that Goutran had
some difficulty in overtaking him.

Where did Esperance propose to go? He had not asked himself this
question. Goutran ran after him.

"Where are you carrying that dead body?" he shouted.

Esperance stopped short. "Was she dead?" he asked himself. "No, no," he
cried, "she lives--she breathes! She must not die!"

"Do you know this woman?" asked Goutran. Suddenly he started back.

Jane was still wrapped in the oriental stuff. He remembered the
material.