Is this not so? Very well, I shall offer her
my assistance. It may, or may not, be another absurd and
ridiculous fancy added to the many I have been guilty of. But no
matter. I have promised. And why, indeed, should this poor girl
be held responsible for the sins of her parents? I--I declare
myself on her side against the world!"
Madame d'Argeles rose, her face radiant with joy and hope. "Then
perhaps we are saved!" she exclaimed. "Ah! I knew when I sent for
you that I should not appeal to your heart in vain!"
She took hold of his hand as if to raise it to her lips; but he
gently withdrew it, and inquired, with an air of astonishment:
"What do you mean?"
"That I have been cruelly punished for not wishing you to assist
that unfortunate man who was dishonored here the other evening."
"Pascal Ferailleur?"
"Yes, he is innocent. The Viscount de Coralth is a scoundrel. It
was he who slipped the cards which made M. Ferailleur win, into
the pack, and he did it at the Marquis de Valorsay's instigation."
The baron looked at Madame d'Argeles with pro-found amazement.
"What!" said he; "you knew this and you allowed it? You were cruel
enough to remain silent when that innocent man entreated you to
testify on his behalf! You allowed this atrocious crime to be
executed under your own roof, and under your very eyes?"
"I was then ignorant of Mademoiselle Marguerite's existence.
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