The Duc de Sairmeuse had just received, with his brevet of
lieutenant-general, a commission placing him in command of the military
department of Montaignac.

The Marquis de Courtornieu had also received an appointment, making him
provost-marshal of the same district.

Blanche had triumphed. After this public betrothal Martial was bound to
her.

For a fortnight, indeed, he scarcely left her side. In her society
there was a charm whose sweetness almost made him forget his love for
Marie-Anne.

But unfortunately the haughty heiress could not resist the temptation
to make a slighting allusion to Marie-Anne, and to the lowliness of
the marquis's former tastes. She found an opportunity to say that she
furnished Marie-Anne with work to aid her in earning a living.

Martial forced himself to smile; but the indignity which Marie-Anne had
received aroused his sympathy and indignation.

And the next day he went to Lacheneur's house.

In the warmth of the greeting that awaited him there, all his anger
vanished, all his suspicions evaporated. Marie-Anne's eyes beamed with
joy on seeing him again; he noticed it.

"Oh! I shall win her yet!" he thought.