With them, I shall be in the very centre of
the intrigue, and in a position to collect proofs of their infamy."

The magistrate gave vent to an exclamation of delight. "You are a brave
girl, Mademoiselle Marguerite," he said, "and at the same time a prudent
one. Yes; that is the proper course to pursue."

Nothing now remained save to make arrangements for her departure. She
possessed some very handsome diamonds and other costly jewels; should
she keep them? "They are undoubtedly mine," said she; "but after the
infamous accusations levelled at me, I can't consent to take them away
with me. They are worth a very handsome amount. I shall leave them with
you, monsieur. If the courts restore them to me later--well--I shall
take them--and not without pleasure, I frankly confess." Then as the
magistrate questioned her anxiously as to her resources, she replied:
"Oh! I'm not without money. M. de Chalusse was generosity itself, and my
tastes are very simple. From the money he gave me for my clothes I saved
more than eight thousand francs in less than six months. That is more
than sufficient to maintain me for a year."

The magistrate then explained that when the court took possession
of this immense estate, it would surely allow her a certain sum.
For whether the count was her father or not, he was at any rate her
officially appointed guardian, and she would be considered a minor. And
in support of his assertion, he quoted Article 367 of the Civil Code,
which says: "In the event of the officially appointed guardian dying
without adopting, his ward, the said ward shall be furnished during her
minority with the means of subsistence from the said guardian's estate,"
etc., etc.

"An additional reason why I should give up my jewels," said Mademoiselle
Marguerite.

The only point that now remained was to decide upon some plan by which
she could communicate with her friend, the magistrate, without the
knowledge of the General or his wife. The magistrate accordingly
explained a system of correspondence which would defy the closest
surveillance, and then added: "Now, make haste back to your visitor. Who
knows what suspicions your absence may have caused her?"

But Mademoiselle Marguerite had one more request to make. She had often
seen in M. de Chalusse's possession a little note-book, in which he
entered the names and addresses of the persons with whom he had business
transactions. M. Fortunat's address must be there, so she asked