Lacheneur exerts
such an influence over Chanlouineau and the Marquis de Sairmeuse. If she
became your wife to-day, they would desert him tomorrow. Then, too, it
is precisely because he loves us that he is determined we shall not be
mixed up in an enterprise the success of which is extremely doubtful.
But these are mere conjectures."

"Then I see that it is necessary to submit, to be resigned; forget, I
cannot," faltered Maurice.

He said this because he wished to reassure his father; but he thought
exactly the opposite.

"If Lacheneur is organizing a conspiracy," he said, to himself, "he
must need assistance. Why should I not offer mine? If I aid him in
his preparations, if I share his hopes and his dangers, it will be
impossible for him to refuse me the hand of his daughter. Whatever he
may desire to undertake, I can surely be of greater assistance than
Chanlouineau."

From that moment Maurice thought only of doing everything possible to
hasten his convalescence. This was so rapid, so extraordinarily rapid,
as to astonish Abbe Midon, who had taken the place of the physician from
Montaignac.

"I never would have believed that Maurice could have been thus
consoled," said Mme. d'Escorval, delighted to see her son's wonderful
improvement in health and spirits.

But the baron made no response. He regarded this almost miraculous
recovery with distrust; he was assailed by a vague suspicion of the
truth.

He questioned his son, but skilfully as he did it, he could draw nothing
from him.

Maurice had decided to say nothing to his parents. What good would it do
to trouble them? Besides, he feared remonstrance and opposition, and he
was resolved to carry out his plans, even if he was compelled to leave
the paternal roof.

In the second week of September the abbe declared that Maurice might
resume his ordinary life, and that, as the weather was pleasant, it
would be well for him to spend much of his time in the open air.

In his delight, Maurice embraced the worthy priest.

"What happiness!" he exclaimed; "then I can hunt once more!"

He really cared but little for the chase; but he deemed it expedient
to pretend a great passion for it, since it would furnish him with an
excuse for frequent and protracted absences.

Never had he felt more happy than on the morning when, with his gun upon
his shoulder, he crossed the Oiselle and started for the abode of M.
Lacheneur. On reaching the little grove on the Reche, he p