The expression of her face betrayed too
plainly the terrible ordeal she had passed through. The servants
had heard M. Wilkie's parting words; and news of this sort flies
about with the rapidity of lightning. That very night, indeed, it
was currently reported at the clubs that there would be no more
card-playing at the d'Argeles establishment, as that lady was a
Chalusse, and consequently the aunt of the beautiful young girl
whom M. and Madame de Fondege had taken under their protection.
VIII.
Unusual strength of character, unbounded confidence in one's own
energy, with thorough contempt of danger, and an invincible
determination to triumph or perish, are all required of the person
who, like Mademoiselle Marguerite, intrusts herself to the care of
strangers--worse yet, to the care of actual enemies. It is no
small matter to place yourself in the power of smooth-tongued
hypocrites and impostors, who are anxious for your ruin, and whom
you know to be capable of anything. And the task is a mighty one--
to brave unknown dangers, perilous seductions, perfidious
counsels, and perhaps even violence, at the same time retaining a
calm eye and smiling lips. Yet such was the heroism that
Marguerite, although scarcely twenty, displayed when she left the
Hotel de Chalusse to accept the hospitality of the Fondege family.
And, to crown all, she took Madame Leon with her--Madame Leon,
whom she knew to be the Marquis de Valorsay's spy.
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