Garnache had but a few minutes in which to unfold his story, and he
needed, in addition, a second or two in which to ponder the
situation as he now found it.

His first reflection was that Florimond, since he was now married,
might perhaps, instead of proving Valerie's saviour from Marius,
join forces with his brother in coercing her into this alliance with
him. But from what Valerie herself had told him he was inclined to
think more favourably of Florimond and to suppress such doubts as
these. Still he could incur no risks; is business was to serve
Valerie and Valerie only; to procure at all costs her permanent
liberation from the power of the Condillacs. To make sure of this
he must play upon Florimond's anger, letting him know that Marius
had journeyed to La Rochette for the purpose of murdering his
half-brother. That he but sought to murder him to the end that he
might be removed from his path to Valerie, was a circumstance that
need not too prominently be presented. Still, presented it must
be, for Florimond would require to know by what motive his brother
was impelled ere he could credit him capable of such villainy.

Succinctly, but tellingly, Garnache brought out the story of the
plot that had been laid for Florimond's assassination, and it joyed
him to see the anger rising in the Marquis's face and flashing from
his eyes.

"What reason have they for so damnable a deed?" he cried, between
incredulity and indignation.

"Their overweening ambition. Marius covets Mademoiselle de La
Vauvraye's estates."