"
No forebodings clouded the marquis's joy; he saw no obstacles; it
seemed to him as if he had already triumphed. "And the day
following," he resumed, "when Marguerite becomes my wife, I shall
take from a certain drawer a certain document, given to me by M.
de Chalusse when I was on the point of becoming his son-in-law,
and in which he recognizes Marguerite as his daughter, and makes
her his sole legatee. And this document is perfectly en regle,
and unattackable. Maumejan, who has examined it, guarantees that
the value of the count's estate cannot be less than ten millions.
Five will go to Madame d'Argeles, or her son Wilkie, as their
share of the property. The remaining five will be mine. Come,
confess that the plan is admirable!"
"Admirable, undoubtedly; but terribly complicated. When there are
so many wheels within wheels, one of them is always sure to get
out of order."
"Nonsense!"
"Besides, you have I don't know how many accomplices--Maumejan,
the doctor, Madame Leon, and Vantrasson, not counting myself.
Will all these people perform their duties satisfactorily?"
"Each of them is as much interested in my success as I am myself."
"But we have enemies--Madame d'Argeles, Fortunat----"
"Madame d'Argeles is about to leave Paris. If Fortunat is
troublesome I will purchase his silence; Maumejan has promised me
money.
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