He
has not left Paris; I am sure of it."
M. Fortunat was not convinced. In his opinion this was only
sentiment and rubbish. Still there was one person present who was
deeply impressed by the confidence of this young girl, who was the
most beautiful creature he had ever seen, and whose devotion and
energy filled his heart with admiration, and this person was
Chupin. He stepped forward with his eyes sparkling with
enthusiasm, and in a feeling voice he exclaimed: "I understand
your idea! Yes, M. Ferailleur is in Paris. And I shall be
unworthy of the name of Chupin, if I don't find him for you in
less than a fortnight!"
XII.
Mademoiselle Marguerite knew Pascal Ferailleur. Suddenly struck
down in the full sunlight of happiness by a terrible misfortune,
he, of course, experienced moments of frenzy and terrible
depression; but he was incapable of the cowardice which M.
Fortunat had accused him of.
Mademoiselle Marguerite only did him justice when she said that
the sole condition on which he could consent to live was that of
consecrating his life, and all his strength, intelligence and will
to confounding this infamous calumny. And still she did not know
the extent of Pascal's misfortune. How could she suppose that he
believed himself deserted by her? How could she know the doubts
and fears and the anguish that had been roused in his heart by the
note which Madame Leon had given him at the garden gate? What did
she know of the poignant suspicions that had rent his mind, after
listening to Madame Vantrasson's disparaging insinuations?
It must be admitted that he was indebted to his mother alone for
his escape from suicide--that grim madness that seizes hold of so
many desperate, despairing men.
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