taken the books away, and that the official seal had been placed on the
doors. Marechal, much alarmed, had hastened back to Madame Desvarennes to
apprise her of the fact. It was evidently necessary to take immediate
steps to meet this new complication. Was this indeed the beginning of
legal proceedings? And if so how would the Prince come out of it?

Madame Desvarennes listened to Marechal, without uttering a word. Events
were hurrying on even quicker than she had dreaded. The fears of the
interested shareholders outran even the hatred of Cayrol. What would the
judges call Herzog's underhand dealings? Would it be embezzlement? Or
forgery? Would they come and arrest the Prince at her house? The house of
Desvarennes, which had never received a visit from a sheriff's officer,
was it to be disgraced now by the presence of the police?

The mistress, in that fatal hour, became herself again. The strong-minded
woman of old reappeared. Marechal was more alarmed at this sudden vigor
than he had been at her late depression. When he saw Madame Desvarennes
going toward the door, he made an effort to detain her.

"Where are you going, Madame?" he inquired, with anxiety.

The mistress gave him a look that terrified him, and answered:

"I am going to square accounts with the Prince."

And, passing through the door leading to the little staircase, Madame
Desvarennes went up to her son-in-law's rooms.