"Marie-Anne--The outbreak is at hand. Whether it succeeds, or whether it fails, I shall die. That was decided on the day when I learned that you could marry none other than Maurice d"Escorval.
"But the conspiracy will not succeed; and I understand your father well enough to know that he will not survive its defeat. And if Maurice and your brother should both be killed, what would become of you? Oh, my G.o.d, would you not be reduced to beggary?
"The thought has haunted me continually. I have reflected, and this is my last will:
"I give and bequeath to you all my property, all that I possess:
"My house, the Borderie, with the gardens and vineyards pertaining thereto, the woodland and the pastures of Berarde, and five lots of land at Valrollier.
"You will find an inventory of this property, and of my other possessions which I devise to you, deposited with the lawyer at Sairmeuse.
"You can accept this bequest without fear; for, having no parents, my control over my property is absolute.
"If you do not wish to remain in France, this property will sell for at least forty thousand francs.
"But it would, it seems to me, be better for you to remain in your own country. The house on the Borderie is comfortable and convenient, since I have had it divided into three rooms and thoroughly repaired.
"Upstairs is a room that has been fitted up by the best upholsterer in Montaignac. I intended it for you. Beneath the hearth-stone in this room you will find a box containing three hundred and twenty-seven louis d"or and one hundred and forty-six livres.
"If you refuse this gift, it will be because you scorn me even after I am dead. Accept it, if not for your own sake, for the sake of--I dare not write it; but you will understand my meaning only too well.
"If Maurice is not killed, and I shall try my best to stand between him and danger, he will marry you. Then you will, perhaps, be obliged to ask his consent in order to accept my gift. I hope that he will not refuse it. One is not jealous of the dead!
"Besides, he knows well that you have scarcely vouchsafed a glance to the poor peasant who has loved you so much.
"Do not be offended at anything I have said, I am in such agony that I cannot weigh my words.
"Adieu, adieu, Marie-Anne.
"Chanlouineau."
Maurice also read twice, before handing it back, this letter whose every word palpitated with sublime pa.s.sion.
He was silent for a moment, then, in a husky voice, he said:
"You cannot refuse; it would be wrong."
His emotion was so great that he could not conceal it, and he left the room.
He was overwhelmed by the grandeur of soul exhibited by this peasant, who, after saving the life of his successful rival at the Croix d"Arcy, had wrested Baron d"Escorval from the hands of his executioners, and who had never allowed a complaint nor a reproach to escape his lips, and whose protection over the woman he adored extended even from beyond the grave.
In comparison with this obscure hero, Maurice felt himself insignificant, mediocre, unworthy.
Good G.o.d! what if this comparison should arise in Marie-Anne"s mind as well? How could he compete with the memory of such n.o.bility of soul and heroic self-sacrifice?
Chanlouineau was mistaken; one, may, perhaps, be jealous of the dead!
But Maurice took good care to conceal this poignant anxiety and these sorrowful thoughts, and during the days that followed, he presented himself in Marie-Anne"s room with a calm, even cheerful face.
For she, unfortunately, was not restored to health. She had recovered the full possession of her mental faculties, but her strength had not yet returned. She was still unable to sit up; and Maurice was forced to relinquish all thought of quitting Saliente, though he felt the earth burn beneath his feet.
This persistent weakness began to astonish the old nurse. Her faith in herbs, gathered by the light of the moon, was considerably shaken.
Honest Bavois was the first to suggest the idea of consulting a physician whom he had found in this land of savages.
Yes; he had found a really skilful physician in the neighborhood, a man of superior ability. Attached at one time to the beautiful court of Prince Eugene, he had been obliged to flee from Milan, and had taken refuge in this secluded spot.
This physician was summoned, and promptly made his appearance. He was one of those men whose age it is impossible to determine. His past, whatever it might have been, had wrought deep furrows on his brow, and his glance was as keen and piercing as his lancet.
After visiting the sick-room, he drew Maurice aside.
"Is this young lady really your wife, Monsieur--Dubois?"
He hesitated so strangely over this name, Dubois, that Maurice felt his face crimson to the roots of his hair.
"I do not understand your question," he retorted, angrily.
"I beg your pardon, of course, but you seem very young for a married man, and your hands are too soft to belong to a farmer. And when I spoke to this young lady of her husband, she blushed scarlet. The man who accompanies you has terrible mustaches for a farmer. Besides, you must remember that there have been troubles across the frontier at Montaignac."
From crimson Maurice had turned white. He felt that he was discovered--that he was in this man"s power.
What should he do?
What good would denial do?
He reflected that confession is sometimes the height of prudence, and that extreme confidence often meets with sympathy and protection; so, in a voice trembling with anxiety, he said:
"You are not mistaken, Monsieur. My friend and myself both are fugitives, undoubtedly condemned to death in France at this moment."
And without giving the doctor time to respond, he narrated the terrible events that had happened at Sairmeuse, and the history of his unfortunate love-affair.
He omitted nothing. He neither concealed his own name nor that of Marie-Anne.
When his recital was completed, the physician pressed his hand.
"It is just as I supposed," said he. "Believe me, Monsieur--Dubois, you must not tarry here. What I have discovered others will discover. And above all, do not warn the hotel-keeper of your departure. He has not been deceived by your explanation. Self-interest alone has kept his mouth closed. He has seen your money, and so long as you spend it at his house he will hold his tongue; but if he discovers that you are going away, he will probably betray you."
"Ah! sir, but how is it possible for us to leave this place?"
"In two days the young lady will be on her feet again," interrupted the physician. "And take my advice. At the next village, stop and give your name to Mademoiselle Lacheneur."
"Ah! sir," Maurice exclaimed; "have you considered the advice you offer me? How can I, a proscribed man--a man condemned to death perhaps--how can I obtain the necessary papers?"
The physician shook his head.
"Excuse me, you are no longer in France, Monsieur d"Escorval, you are in Piedmont."