But Madame Ferailleur was watching. She pointed to the clock, and
earnestly exclaimed: "Time is passing, my son. Each moment that
is wasted endangers our success. Should any suspicion bring
Madame Vantrasson here, all would be lost."
"She cannot come upon us unawares, my dear mother. Chupin has
promised not to lose sight of her. If she stirs from her shop, he
will hasten here and throw a stone against the shutters to warn
us."
But even this did not satisfy Madame Ferailleur.
"You forget, Pascal." she insisted, "that Mademoiselle Marguerite
must be at home again by ten o'clock, if she consents to the
ordeal you feel obliged to impose upon her."
This was the voice of duty recalling Pascal to the stern realities
of life. He slowly rose, conquered his emotion, and, after
reflecting for a moment, said: "First of all, Marguerite, I owe
you the truth and an exact statement of our situation.
Circumstances have compelled me to act without consulting you.
Have I done right or wrong? You shall judge." And without stopping
to listen to the girl's protestations, he rapidly explained how he
had managed to win M. de Valorsay's confidence, discover his
plans, and become his trusted accomplice. "This scoundrel's plan
is very simple," he continued. "He is determined to marry you.
Why? Because, though you are not aware of it, you are rich, and
the sole heiress to the fortune of the Count de Chalusse, your
father.
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