This will prove my great confidence in you."
Whereupon, he acquainted Chupin with everything he knew concerning
the history of M. de Chalusse, the Marquis de Valorsay, and
Mademoiselle Marguerite.
However, if he expected these disclosures to elevate him in his
subordinate's estimation he was greatly mistaken. Chupin had
sufficient experience and common sense to read his master's
character and discern his motives. He saw plainly enough that
this honest impulse on M. Fortunat's part came from disappointed
avarice and wounded vanity, and that the agent would have allowed
the Marquis de Valorsay to carry out his infamous scheme without
any compunctions of conscience, providing he, himself, had not
been injured by it. Still, the young fellow did not allow his
real feelings to appear on his face. First, it was not his
business to tell M. Fortunat his opinion of him; and in the second
place, he did not deem it an opportune moment for a declaration of
his sentiments. So, when his employer paused, he exclaimed:
"Well, we must outwit these scoundrels--for I'll join you,
m'sieur; and I flatter myself that I can be very useful to you.
Do you want the particulars of the viscount's past life? If so, I
can furnish them. I know the brigand. He's married, as I told
you before, and I'll find his wife for you in a few days. I don't
know exactly where she lives, but she keeps a tobacco store,
somewhere, and that's enough.
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