that Vinet must have some powerful motive in
taking the case, that would impress the minds of all Provins and explain
his efforts on behalf of the Rogrons. This motive they determined
should be Rogron's marriage to Mademoiselle de Chargeboeuf; it should be
announced that very day and the banns published on Sunday. The contract
could be drawn immediately. Mademoiselle Rogron agreed, in consideration
of the marriage, to appear in the contract as settling her capital on
her brother, retaining only the income of it. Vinet made Rogron and his
sister comprehend the necessity of antedating the document by two or
three days, so as to commit the mother and daughter in the eyes of the
public and give them a reason for continuing their visits.

"Sign that contract and I'll take upon myself to get you safely out of
this affair," said the lawyer. "There will be a terrible fight; but
I will put my whole soul into it--you'll have to make me a votive
offering."

"Oh, yes, yes," said Rogron.

By half-past eleven the lawyer had plenary powers to draw the contract
and conduct the defence of the Rogrons. At twelve o'clock application
was made to Monsieur Tiphaine, as a judge sitting in chambers, against
Brigaut and the widow Lorrain for having abducted Pierrette Lorrain, a
minor, from the house of her legal guardian. In this way the bold lawyer
became the aggressor and made Rogron the injured party. He spoke of the
matter from this point of view in the court-house.

The judge postponed the hearing till four o'clock. Needless to describe
the excitement in the town. Monsieur Tiphaine knew that by three o'clock
the consultation of doctors would be over and their report drawn up; he
wished Auffray, as surrogate-guardian, to be at the hearing armed with
that report.

The announcement of Rogron's marriage and the sacrifices made to it
by Sylvie in the contract alienated two important supporters from the
brother and sister, namely,--Mademoiselle Habert and the colonel, whose
hopes were thus annihilated. They remained, however, ostensibly on the
Rogron side for the purpose of injuring it. Consequently, as soon as
Monsieur Martener mentioned the alarming condition of Pierrette's head,
Celeste and the colonel told of the blow she had given herself during
the evening when Sylvie had forced her to leave the salon; and they
related the old maid's barbarous and unfeeling comments, with other
statements proving her cruelty to her suffering cousin. V