"
Would Mademoiselle Marguerite accept this explanation? Chupin
feared so, and accordingly turning quickly to his employer, he
remarked: "To say nothing of the fact that this fine gentleman has
swindled you outrageously, shrewd as you are--cheating you out of
the forty thousand francs you lent him, and which he was to pay
you eighty thousand for."
M. Fortunat cast a withering look at his clerk, but the mischief
was done: denial was useless. He seemed fated to blunder in this
affair. "Well, yes," he declared, "it's true. Valorsay HAS
defrauded me, and I have sworn to have my revenge. I won't rest
until I see him ruined."
Mademoiselle Marguerite was partially reassured, for she
understood his zeal now. Her scorn for the man was only
increased; but she was convinced that he would serve her
faithfully. "I like this much better," said she. "It is better
to have no concealment. You desire M. de Valorsay's ruin. I
desire the rehabilitation of M. Ferailleur. So our interests are
in common. But before acting in this matter, we must know M.
Ferailleur's wishes."
"They cannot be considered."
"And why?"
"Because no one knows what has become of him. When the desire for
revenge first took possession of me, I at once thought of him. I
procured his address, and went to the Rue d'Ulm. But he had gone
away. The very day after his misfortune, M.
Pages:
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276