to cut this
inevitable day from the record of hers. Most assuredly some hairs on her
head must have whitened during the night, when, face to face with facts,
she bitterly regretted her extravagance as she felt the hard necessities
of the situation.

Among these necessities was that of confiding the truth to her notary,
for whom she sent in the morning as soon as she rose. She was forced to
reveal to him a secret defaulting she had never been willing to admit
to herself, for she had steadily advanced to the abyss, relying on some
chance accident, which never happened, to relieve her. There rose in her
soul a feeling against Paul, that was neither dislike, nor aversion,
nor anything, as yet, unkind; but HE was the cause of this crisis; the
opposing party in this secret suit; he became, without knowing it, an
innocent enemy she was forced to conquer. What human being did ever yet
love his or her dupe? Compelled to deceive and trick him if she could,
the Spanish woman resolved, like other women, to put her whole force of
character into the struggle, the dishonor of which could be absolved by
victory only.

In the stillness of the night she excused her conduct to her own mind
by a tissue of arguments in which her pride predominated. Natalie had
shared the benefit of her extravagance. There was not a single base or
ignoble motive in what she had done. She was no accountant, but was that
a crime, a delinquency? A man was only too lucky to obtain a wife like
Natalie without a penny. Such a treasure bestowed upon him might surely
release her from a guardianship account. How many men had bought the
women they loved by greater sacrifices? Why should a man do less for
a wife than for a mistress? Besides, Paul was a nullity, a man of no
force, incapable; she would spend the best resources of her mind upon
him and open to him a fine career; he should owe his future power and
position to her influence; in that way she could pay her debt. He would
indeed be a fool to refuse such a future; and for what? a few paltry
thousands, more or less. He would be infamous if he withdrew for such a
reason.

"But," she added, to herself, "if the negotiation does not succeed
at once, I shall leave Bordeaux. I can still find a good marriage for
Natalie by investing the proceeds of what is left, house and diamonds
and furniture,--keeping only a small income for myself."

When a strong soul constructs a way of ultimate escape,--as Richelieu
did at