ar more profitable to Mademoiselle
Marguerite than vain threats and weak lamentations. It seemed to me that
you had sworn to act, not to complain."

This ironical thrust touched Pascal's sensitive mind to the quick; he
rose at once to his feet, and coldly said, "That's true. I thank you for
having recalled me to myself."

She made no rejoinder, but mentally thanked God. She had read her son's
heart, and perceiving his hesitation and weakness she had supplied the
stimulus he needed. Now she saw him as she wished to see him. Now he was
ready to reproach himself for his lack of courage and his weakness in
displaying his feelings. And as a test of his powers of endurance, he
decided not to question Madame Vantrasson till four or five days had
elapsed. If her suspicions had been aroused, this delay would suffice to
dispel them.

He said but little during breakfast; for he was now eager to commence
the struggle. He longed to act, and yet he scarcely knew how to begin
the campaign. First of all, he must study the enemy's position--gain
some knowledge of the men he had to deal with, find out exactly who the
Marquis de Valorsay and the Viscount de Coralth were. Where could he
obtain information respecting these two men? Should he be compelled to
follow them and to gather up here and there such scraps of intelligence
as came in his way? This method of proceeding would be slow and
inconvenient in the extreme. He was revolving the subject in his mind
when he suddenly remembered the man who, on the morning that followed
the scene at Madame d'Argeles's house, had come to him in the Rue d'Ulm
to give him a proof of his confidence. He remembered that this strange
man had said: "If you ever need a helping hand, come to me." And at the
recollection he made up his mind. "I am going to Baron Trigault's," he
remarked to his mother; "if my presentiments don't deceive me, he will
be of service to us."

In less than half an hour he was on his way. He had dressed himself in
the oldest clothes he possessed; and this, with the change he had made
by cutting off his hair and beard, had so altered his appearance that
it was necessary to look at him several times, and most attentively, to
recognize him. The visiting cards which he carried in his pocket bore
the inscription: "P. Maumejan, Business Agent, Route de la Revolte." His
knowledge of Parisian life had induced him to choose the same profession
as M. Fortunat followed--a profession which op