he. "An hour after the receipt of your letter I
began the campaign."

"But I had not told you----"

"What you wished of me--that's true. But I allowed myself to
suspect----"

"Ah!"

"I fancied I might conclude that you wished the help of my experience
and poor ability in clearing an innocent man who has been vilely
slandered, M. Pascal Ferailleur."

Marguerite sprang to her feet, at once agitated and alarmed. "How did
you know this?" she exclaimed.

M. Fortunat had left his arm-chair, and was now leaning against the
mantel-shelf, in what he considered a most becoming and awe-inspiring
attitude, with his thumb in the armhole of his waistcoat. "Ah! nothing
could be more simple," he answered, in much the same tone as a conqueror
might assume to explain his feat. "It is part of my profession to
penetrate the intentions of persons who deign to honor me with their
confidence. So my surmises are correct; at least you have not said the
contrary?"

She had said nothing. When her first surprise was over, she vainly
endeavored to find a plausible explanation of M. Fortunat's acquaintance
with her affairs, for she was not at all deceived by his pretended
perspicacity. Meanwhile, delighted by the supposed effect he had
produced, he recklessly continued: "Reserve your amazement for what I
am about to disclose, for I have made several important discoveries. It
must have been your good angel who inspired you with the idea of coming
to me. You would have shuddered if you had realized the dangers that
threatened you. But now you have nothing to fear; I am watching. I am
here, and I hold in my hand all the threads of the abominable intrigue
for ruining you. For it is you, your person, and your fortune that
are imperilled. It was solely on your account that M. Ferailleur was
attacked. And I can tell you the names of the scoundrels who ruined him.
The crime originated with the person who had the most powerful interest
in the matter--the Marquis de Valorsay. His agent was a scoundrel who is
generally known as the Viscount de Coralth; but Chupin here can tell you
his real name and his shameful past. You preferred M. Ferailleur, hence
it was necessary to put him out of the way. M. de Chalusse had promised
your hand to the Marquis de Valorsay. This marriage was Valorsay's only
resource--the plank that might save the drowning man. People fancy he is
rich; but he is ruined. Yes, ruined completely, irretrievably. He was in
such desperate