"And it is you who think to dissuade me by pointing out the dangers that threaten you, the dangers that you are braving----"
"Maurice!"
"So if imminent peril menaced me, instead of coming to my aid you would desert me? You would hide yourself, saying, "Let him perish, so that I be saved!" Speak! Would you do this?"
She averted her face and made no reply. She could not force herself to utter an untruth; and she was unwilling to answer: "I would act as you are acting." She waited for her father"s decision.
"If I should comply with your request, Maurice," said M. Lacheneur, "in less than three days you would curse me, and ruin us by some outburst of anger. You love Marie-Anne. Could you see, unmoved, the frightful position in which she is placed? Remember, she must not discourage the addresses either of Chanlouineau or of the Marquis de Sairmeuse. You regard me--oh, I know as well as you do that it is a shameful and odious role that I impose upon her--that she is compelled to play a part in which she will lose a young girl"s most precious possession--her reputation."
Maurice did not wince. "So be it," he said, calmly. "Marie-Anne"s fate will be that of all women who have devoted themselves to the political advancement of the man whom they love, be he father, brother, or lover.
She will be slandered, insulted, calumniated. What does it matter? She may continue her task. I consent to it, for I shall never doubt her, and I shall know how to hold my peace. If we succeed, she shall be my wife; if we fail----"
The gesture which concluded the sentence said more strongly than any protestations, that he was ready, resigned to anything.
M. Lacheneur was greatly moved.
"At least give me time for reflection," said he.
"There is no necessity for further reflection, Monsieur."
"But you are only a child, Maurice; and your father is my friend."
"What of that?"
"Rash boy! do you not understand that by compromising yourself you also compromise Baron d"Escorval? You think you are risking only your own head; you are endangering your father"s life----"
But Maurice violently interrupted him.
"There has been too much parleying already!" he exclaimed; "there have been too many remonstrances. Answer me in a word! Only understand this: if you reject me, I will return to my father"s house, and with this gun which I hold in my hand I will blow out my brains."
This was no idle threat. It was evident that what he said, that would he do. His listeners were so convinced of this, that Marie-Anne turned to her father with clasped hands and a look of entreaty.
"You are one of us, then," said M. Lacheneur, sternly; "but do not forget that you forced me to consent by threats; and whatever may happen to you or yours, remember that you would have it so."
But these gloomy words produced no impression upon Maurice; he was wild with joy.
"Now," continued M. Lacheneur, "I must tell you my hopes, and acquaint you with the cause for which I am laboring----"
"What does that matter to me?" Maurice exclaimed, gayly; and, springing toward Marie-Anne, he seized her hand and raised it to his lips, crying, with the joyous laugh of youth:
"My cause--here it is!"
Lacheneur turned away. Perhaps he recollected that a sacrifice of his pride was all that was necessary to a.s.sure the happiness of these poor children.
But if a feeling of remorse entered his mind, he drove it away, and with increased sternness, he said:
"Still, Monsieur d"Escorval, it is necessary for you to understand our agreement."
"Make known your conditions, sir."
"First, your visits here--after certain rumors that I have put in circulation--would arouse suspicion. You must come here only at night, and then only at hours that have been agreed upon in advance--never when you are not expected."
The att.i.tude of Maurice expressed his entire consent.
"Moreover, you must find some way to cross the river without having recourse to the ferryman, who is a dangerous fellow."
"We have an old skiff. I will persuade my father to have it repaired."
"Very well. Will you also promise me to avoid the Marquis de Sairmeuse?"
"I will."
"Wait a moment; we must be prepared for any emergency. It may be that, in spite of our precautions, you will meet him here. Monsieur de Sairmeuse is arrogance itself; and he hates you. You detest him, and you are very hasty. Swear to me that if he provokes you, you will ignore his insults."
"But I should be considered a coward, Monsieur!"
"Probably. Will you swear?"
Maurice hesitated, but an imploring look from Marie-Anne decided him.
"I swear!" he said, gravely.
"As far as Chanlouineau is concerned, it would be better not to let him know of our agreement--but I will take care of this matter."
M. Lacheneur paused and reflected for a moment, as if striving to discover if he had forgotten anything.
"Nothing remains, Maurice," he resumed, "but to give you a last and very important piece of advice. Do you know my son?"
"Certainly; we were formerly the best of comrades during our vacations."
"Very well. When you know my secret--for I shall confide it to you without reserve--beware of Jean."
"What, sir?"
"Beware of Jean. I repeat it."
And he blushed deeply, as he added:
"Ah! it is a painful avowal for a father; but I have no confidence in my own son. He knows no more in regard to my plans than I told him on the day of his arrival. I deceive him, because I fear he might betray us.
Perhaps it would be wise to send him away; but in that case, what would people say? Most a.s.suredly they would say that I was very avaricious of my own blood, while I was very ready to risk the lives of others. Still I may be mistaken; I may misjudge him."
He sighed, and added:
"Beware!"
CHAPTER XIX