"I understand!" he exclaimed; "I understand. He has a pretty daughter."

Martial smiled without replying.

"Yes, pretty as a rose," continued the duke; "but one hundred thousand
francs! Zounds! That is a round sum to pay for such a whim. But, if you
insist upon it----"

Armed with this authorization, Martial, two hours later, started on his
mission.

The first peasant he met told him the way to the cottage which M.
Lacheneur now occupied.

"Follow the river," said the man, "and when you see a pine-grove upon
your left, cross it."

Martial was crossing it, when he heard the sound of voices. He
approached, recognized Marie-Anne and Maurice d'Escorval, and obeying an
angry impulse, he paused.



CHAPTER XI

During the decisive moments of life, when one's entire future depends
upon a word, or a gesture, twenty contradictory inspirations can
traverse the mind in the time occupied by a flash of lightning.