Really you ought to tell me. It would be
worth one's while to know."
Any other person than this interesting young man would have been
crushed by the look his mother gave him--a look embodying the
deepest disappointment and contempt. "I think you must be mad,"
she remarked coldly. And as he sprang up, astonished that any one
should doubt his abundant supply of good sense, "Let us put an end
to this," she sternly added.
Thereupon she hastily went into the adjoining room, reappearing a
moment later with a roll of papers in her hand. "Here," she
remarked, "is my marriage certificate, your certificate of birth,
and a copy of my renunciation--a perfectly valid document, since
the court has authorized it, owing to my husband's absence. All
these proofs I am ready and willing to place at your disposal, but
on one condition."
This last word fell like a cold shower-bath upon Wilkie's exultant
joy. "What is this condition?" he anxiously inquired.
"It is that you should sign this deed, which has been drawn up by
my notary--a deed by which you pledge yourself to hand me the sum
of two million francs on the day you come into possession of the
Chalusse property."
Two millions! The immensity of the sum struck Wilkie dumb with
consternation. Nor did he forget that he would be compelled to
give the Viscount de Coralth the large reward he had promised him--
a reward promised in writing, unfortunately.
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