without sometimes faltering. Nor was this all. The marquis was not
her only enemy. She had the Fondege family to dread--these dangerous
hypocrites, who had taken her to their home so that they might ruin
her the more surely. M. de Valorsay wrote that he had no fears of the
Fondeges--that he understood their little game. What was their little
game? No doubt they were resolved that she should become their son's
wife, even if they were obliged to use force to win her consent. At this
thought a sudden terror seized her soul, so full of peace and hope an
instant before. When she was attacked, would she have time to produce
and use the facsimile of Valorsay's letter? "I must reveal my secret to
a friend--to a trusty friend--who will avenge me!" she muttered.

Fortunately she had a friend in whom she could safely confide--the old
magistrate who had given her such proofs of sympathy. She felt that she
needed the advice of a riper experience than her own, and the thought of
consulting him at once occurred to her. She was alone; she had no spy to
fear; and it would be folly not to profit by the few moments of liberty
that remained. So she drew her writing-case from her trunk, and, after
barricading her door to prevent a surprise, she wrote her friend an
account of the events which had taken place since their last interview.
She told him everything with rare precision and accuracy of detail,
sending him a copy of Valorsay's letter, and informing him that, in case
any misfortune befell her, he could obtain the facsimiles from Carjat.
She finished her letter, but did not seal it. "If anything should happen
before I have an opportunity to post it, I will add a postscript," she
said to herself.

She had made all possible haste, fearing that Madame de Fondege and
Madame Leon might return at any moment. But this was truly a chimerical
apprehension. It was nearly six o'clock when the two shoppers made their
appearance, wearied with the labors of the day, but in fine spirits.
Besides purchasing every requisite for that wonderful costume of hers,
the General's wife had found some laces of rare beauty, which she had
secured for the mere trifle of four thousand francs. "It was one of
those opportunities one ought always to profit by," she said, as she
displayed her purchase. "Besides, it is the same with lace as with
diamonds, you should purchase them when you can--then you have them.
It isn't an outlay--it's an investment." Subtle reasoning