rsay if your face is to be an open book in which any one
may read your secret plans and thoughts."

Pascal shook his head dejectedly. "Didn't you hear, mother?" he
faltered.

"Hear what?"

"What that vile woman said? This young lady whom she spoke of, whom her
husband recognized, can be none other than Marguerite."

"I am sure of it."

He recoiled in horror. "You are sure of it!" he repeated; "and you can
tell me this unmoved--coldly, as if it were a natural, a possible thing.
Didn't you understand the shameful meaning of her insinuations? Didn't
you see her hypocritical smile and the malice gleaming in her eyes?" He
pressed his hands to his burning brow, and groaned "And I did not crush
the infamous wretch! I did not fell her to the ground!"

Ah! if she had obeyed the impulse of her heart. Madame Ferailleur would
have thrown her arms round her son's neck, and have mingled her tears
with his, but reason prevailed. The worthy woman's heart was pervaded
with that lofty sentiment of duty which sustains the humble heroines
of the fireside, and lends them even more courage than the reckless
adventurers whose names are recorded by history could boast of. She felt
that Pascal must not be consoled, but spurred on to fresh efforts;
and so mustering all her courage, she said: "Are you acquainted with
Mademoiselle Marguerite's past life? No. You only know that hers has
been a life of great vicissitudes--and so it is not strange that she
should be slandered."

"In that case, mother," said Pascal, "you were wrong to interrupt Madame
Vantrasson. She would probably have told us many things."

"I interrupted her, it is true, and sent her away--and you know why. But
she is in our service now; and when you are calm, when you have regained
your senses, nothing will prevent you from questioning her. It may be
useful for you to know who this man Vantrasson is, and how and where he
met Mademoiselle Marguerite."

Shame, sorrow, and rage, brought tears to Pascal's eyes. "My God!" he
exclaimed, "to be reduced to the unspeakable misery of hearing my mother
doubt Marguerite!" He did not doubt her. HE could have listened to the
most infamous accusations against her without feeling a single doubt.
However, Madame Ferailleur had sufficient self-control to shrug her
shoulders. "Ah, well! silence this slander," she exclaimed. "I wish for
nothing better; but don't forget that we have ourselves to rehabilitate.
To crush your enemies will be f