f several hours, he came out of
his room; and making herself as sweet and fascinating as possible,
she used all her cunning to find out something which would
enlighten her as to what he was about. But no one could, or at
least would, satisfy her curiosity; all gave evasive replies, as
if Sauvresy had cautioned them, or as if there were nothing to tell.

No complaints were heard from Sauvresy. He talked constantly of
Bertha and Hector; he wished all the world to know their devotion
to him; he called them his "guardian angels," and blessed Heaven
that had given him such a wife and such a friend. Sauvresy's
illness now became so serious that Tremorel began to despair; he
became alarmed; what position would his friend's death leave him
in? Bertha, having become a widow, would be implacable. He
resolved to find out her inmost thoughts at the first opportunity;
she anticipated him, and saved him the trouble of broaching the
subject. One afternoon, when they were alone, M. Plantat being
in attendance at the sick man's bedside, Bertha commenced.

"I want some advice, Hector, and you alone can give it to me. How
can I find out whether Clement, within the past day or two, has not
changed his will in regard to me?"

"His will?"

"Yes, I've already told you that by a will of which I myself have a
copy, Sauvresy has left me his whole fortune. I fear that he may
perhaps revoke it."

"What an idea!"

"Ah, I have reasons for my apprehensions. What are all these agents
and attorneys doing at Valfeuillu? A stroke of this man's pen may
ruin me. Don't you see that he can deprive me of his millions, and
reduce me to my dowry of fifty thousand francs?"

"But he will not do it; he loves you--"

"Are you sure of it? I've told you, there are three millions; I
must have this fortune--not for myself, but for you; I want it, I
must have it! But how can I find out--how? how?"

Hector was very indignant. It was to this end, then, that his
delays had conducted him! She thought that she had a right now to
dispose of him in spite of himself, and, as it were, to purchase
him. And he could not, dared not, say anything!

"We must be patient," said he, "and wait--"

"Wait--for what? Till he's dead?"

"Don't speak so."

"Why not?" Bertha went up to him, and in a low voice, muttered:

"He has only a week to live; and see here--"

She drew a little vial from her pocket, and held it up to him.

"That is what convinces me that I am not mis