She is so ridiculously antiquated in her notions." And then he
began to study what advantages he might derive from his knowledge
of the situation.
M. de Coralth, like all persons whose present is more or less
uncertain, had great misgivings concerning his future. Just now
he was cunning enough to find a means of procuring the thirty or
forty thousand francs a year that were indispensable to his
comfort; but he had not a farthing laid by, and the vein of silver
he was now working might fail him at any moment. The slightest
indiscretion, the least blunder, might hurl him from his splendor
into the mire. The perspiration started out on his forehead when
he thought of his peril. He passionately longed for a more
assured position--for a little capital that would insure him his
bread until the end of his days, and rid him of the grim phantom
of poverty forever. And it was this desire which inspired him
with the same plan that M. Fortunat had formed. "Why shouldn't I
inform Wilkie?" he said to himself. "If I present him with a
fortune, the simpleton ought certainly to give me some reward."
But to carry this plan into execution it would be necessary to
brave Madame d'Argeles's anger; and that was attended by no little
danger. If he knew something about her, she on her side knew
everything connected with his past life. She had only to speak to
ruin him forever.
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