an infamous calumny. He may seem to fly, he
may disappear, he may conceal himself for a time, but it is only to
make his vengeance more certain. What! Pascal, who is energy itself, who
possesses an iron will, and invincible determination, would he renounce
his honor, his future, and the woman he loves without a struggle? If he
had felt that his case was hopeless, he would have destroyed himself,
and as he has not done so, he is not without hope. He has not left
Paris; I am sure of it."

M. Fortunat was not convinced. In his opinion this was only sentiment
and rubbish. Still there was one person present who was deeply impressed
by the confidence of this young girl, who was the most beautiful
creature he had ever seen, and whose devotion and energy filled his
heart with admiration, and this person was Chupin. He stepped forward
with his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, and in a feeling voice he
exclaimed: "I understand your idea! Yes, M. Ferailleur is in Paris. And
I shall be unworthy of the name of Chupin, if I don't find him for you
in less than a fortnight!"

XII.

Mademoiselle Marguerite knew Pascal Ferailleur. Suddenly struck down in
the full sunlight of happiness by a terrible misfortune, he, of course,
experienced moments of frenzy and terrible depression; but he was
incapable of the cowardice which M. Fortunat had accused him of.

Mademoiselle Marguerite only did him justice when she said that the sole
condition on which he could consent to live was that of consecrating his
life, and all his strength, intelligence and will to confounding this
infamous calumny. And still she did not know the extent of Pascal's
misfortune. How could she suppose that he believed himself deserted by
her? How could she know the doubts and fears and the anguish that had
been roused in his heart by the note which Madame Leon had given him at
the garden gate? What did she know of the poignant suspicions that
had rent his mind, after listening to Madame Vantrasson's disparaging
insinuations?

It must be admitted that he was indebted to his mother alone for his
escape from suicide--that grim madness that seizes hold of so many
desperate, despairing men. And it was still to his mother--the
incomparable guardian of his honor--that he owed his resolution on the
morning he applied to Baron Trigault. And his courage met with its first
reward.

He was no longer the same man when he left the princely mansion which
he had entered wi