ndred thousand francs a year. My brother inherited the whole property,
and I would be willing to swear that he never spent more than half of
his income."

Wilkie's nerves had never been subjected to so severe a shock. He
tottered and his brain whirled. "Oh! oh!" he stammered. This was all he
could say.

"Only I must warn you of a more than probable deception," pursued Madame
d'Argeles. "As my brother was firmly resolved to deprive me even of
my rightful portion of the estate, he concealed his fortune in every
possible way. It will undoubtedly require considerable time and trouble
to gain possession of the whole. However I know a man, formerly the
Count de Chalusse's confidential agent, who might aid you in this task."

"And this man's name?"

"Is Isidore Fortunat. I saved his card for you. Here it is."

M. Wilkie took it up, placed it carefully in his pocket, and then
exclaimed: "That being the case, I consent to sign, but after this
you need not complain. Two millions at five per cent. ought to greatly
alleviate one's sufferings."

Madame d'Argeles did not deign to notice this delicate irony. "I will
tell you in advance to what purpose I intend to apply this sum," she
said.

"Ah!"

"I intend one of these two millions to serve as the dowry of a young
girl who would have been the Count de Chalusse's sole legatee, if his
death had not been so sudden and so unexpected."

"And the other one?"

"The other I intend to invest for you in such a way that you can only
touch the interest of it, so that you will not want for bread after you
have squandered your inheritance, even to the very last penny."

This wise precaution could not fail to shock such a brilliant young man
as M. Wilkie. "Do you take me for a fool?" he exclaimed. "I may appear
very generous, but I am shrewd enough, never you fear."

"Sign," interrupted Madame d'Argeles, coldly.

But he attempted to prove that he was no fool by reading and rereading
the contract before he would consent to append his name to it. At last,
however, he did so, and stowed away the proofs which insured him the
much-coveted property.

"Now," said Madame d'Argeles, "I have one request to make of you.
Whenever your father makes his appearance and lays claim to this
fortune, I entreat you to avoid a lawsuit, which would only make your
mother's shame and the disgrace attached to the hitherto stainless name
of Chalusse still more widely known. Compromise with him. You will be