ort of will, he succeeded in regaining his
composure. He sprang to the door, pushed Marie-Anne aside, and leaning
out, he said:

"Deign to excuse me, Monsieur, if I take the liberty of asking you to
wait a moment; I am just finishing some business, and I will be with you
in a moment."

Neither agitation nor anger could be detected in his voice; but, rather,
a respectful deference, and a feeling of profound gratitude.

Having said this, he closed the door and turned to M. d'Escorval.

The baron, still standing with folded arms, had witnessed this scene
with the air of a man who distrusts the evidence of his own senses; and
yet he understood the meaning of it only too well.

"So this young man comes here?" he said to Lacheneur.

"Almost every day--not at this hour, usually, but a trifle later."

"And you receive him? you welcome him?"

"Certainly, Monsieur. How can I be insensible to the honor he confers
upon me? Moreover, we have subjects of mutual interest to discuss. We
are now occupied in legalizing the restitution of Sairmeuse. I can,
also, give him much useful information, and many hints regarding the
management of the property."

"And do you expect to make me, your old friend, believe that a man of
your superior intelligence is deceived by the excuses the marquis makes
for these frequent visits? Look me in the eye, and then tell me, if you
dare, that you believe these visits are addressed to you!"

Lacheneur's eye did not waver.

"To whom else could they be addressed?" he inquired.

This obstinate serenity disappointed the baron's expectations. He could
not have received a heavier blow.

"Take care, Lacheneur," he said, sternly. "Think of the situation in
which you place your daughter, between Chanlouineau, who wishes to make
her his wife, and Monsieur de Sairmeuse, who desires to make her----"

"Who desires to make her his mistress--is that what you mean? Oh, say
the word. But what does that matter? I am sure of Marie-Anne."

M. d'Escorval shuddered.

"In other words," said he, in bitter indignation, "you make your
daughter's honor and reputation your stake in the game you are playing."

This was too much. Lacheneur could restrain his furious passion no
longer.

"Well, yes!" he exclaimed, with a frightful oath, "yes, you have spoken
the truth. Marie-Anne must be, and will be, the instrument of my plans.
A man situated as I am is free from the considerations that restrain
other men. Fortune, f