"
"That would not even be the dowry required of an officer's wife by
law," muttered the lieutenant.
Was his incredulity sincere or affected? What had his parents
really told him? Had they confided everything to him, and was he
their accomplice? or had they told him nothing? All these
questions flashed rapidly through Marguerite's mind. "You suppose
that I am rich, monsieur," she resumed at last. "I understand
that only too well. If I was, you ought to shun me as you would
shun a criminal, for I could only be wealthy through a crime."
"Mademoiselle----"
"Yes, through a crime. After M. de Chalusse's death, two million
francs that had been placed in his escritoire for safe keeping,
could not be found. Who stole the money? I myself have been
accused of the theft. Your father must have told you of this, as
well as of the cloud of suspicion that is still hanging over me."
She paused, for the lieutenant had become whiter than his shirt.
"Good God!" he exclaimed in a tone of horror, as if a terrible
light had suddenly broken upon his mind. He made a movement as if
to leave the room, but suddenly changing his mind, he bowed low
before Mademoiselle Marguerite, and said, in a husky voice:
"Forgive me, mademoiselle, I did not know what I was doing. I
have been misinformed. I have been beguiled by false hopes. I
entreat you to say that you forgive me.
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