t me. I intended to marry her."

"You! her cousin."

"Why not?"

"I don't know, only it seemed improbable."

"This fellow stands in my way."

"Of course, you shall have to try and supplant him."

"That's impossible, she's too fond of him."

"Well, I suppose you must give her up then."

"I don't mean to."

"What do you intend doing?"

"Can't you guess? Thrust him out of my way forcibly. Either he or I
must sink."

"You look strong enough to fight a giant."

"I do not mean to fight him."

"Are you afraid of him? Is he stronger than you?"

"He looks rather too much of an athlete for me; I thought that
perhaps you would help me."

"I! help you."

"Yes."

"How?"

Tom looked anxiously round, then said in a low tone: "I must get rid
of him, I must."

"Yes."

"And you can help me a great deal."

"I will do anything for you."

"Well, will you settle him?"

"What do you mean?"

"Make him jump, of course."

"Make him jump!"

"Yes; you know, bewitch him."

Mrs. Vidoux suddenly became erect, her eyes were fixed on Tom with
an expression that made him recoil, but before he had time to get
out of her way, she had raised her walking-stick high above her head
with both her hands and brought it to bear with all her strength on
Tom's head.

The blow was by no means a slight one. Tom staggered and fell.
Without even pretending to notice him the old woman walked towards
her dwelling. He soon rallied, and in less time than it had probably
ever been done before, he cleared the fence and vaulted in the road.
He went home, swearing that he would avenge himself, not of Mrs.
Vidoux, but of his cousin.

Next morning, he decided to tell his uncle all that he knew. He had
not dared to do it before for fear of offending his cousin; but now,
he acted in a blind fury.

He had a great deal of confidence in his uncle. He knew the enormous
influence which he exercised over his daughter. Mr. Rougeant had
once told him that with a single look he could make her tremble, and
that she would as soon think of refusing him as of refusing to grow
older.

Tom Soher smiled when he thought of his uncle's demeanour upon
hearing the news which he had to impart.

How he was to incite him. He must make his wrath rise to the highest
pitch. If he could go at "Les Marches" when his cousin was gone and
set his uncle to watch for their return, what a scene, what a
spectacle to laugh at; even as he thought of it now he could not