Forsaken afterward,
she found herself in the depths of poverty. She was obliged to
live. You were starving. So she changed her name, and now she is
known as Lia d'Argeles."
M. Wilkie sprang to his feet. "Lia d'Argeles!" he exclaimed.
Then, with a burst of laughter, he added: "Nevertheless, I think
it a piece of grand good luck!"
VI.
"This man carries away your secret; you are lost." A sinister
voice whispered these words in Madame Lia d'Argeles's heart when
M. Isidore Fortunat, after being rudely dismissed, closed the door
of her drawing-room behind him. This man had addressed her by the
ancient and illustrious name of Chalusse which she had not heard
for twenty years, and which she had forbidden her own lips to
pronounce. This man knew that she, Lia d'Argeles, was really a
Durtal de Chalusse.
This frightful certainty overwhelmed her. It is true this man
Fortunat had declared that his visit was entirely disinterested.
He had pretended that his regard for the Chalusse family, and the
compassion aroused in his heart by the unfortunate plight of
Mademoiselle Marguerite, were the only motives that has influenced
him in taking this step. However, Madame d'Argeles's experience
in life had left her but limited faith in apparent or pretended
disinterestedness. This is a practical age; chivalrous sentiments
are expensive--as she had learned conclusively.
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