is concerned, it would be better not to let him
know of our agreement--but I will take care of this matter."

M. Lacheneur paused and reflected for a moment, as if striving to
discover if he had forgotten anything.

"Nothing remains, Maurice," he resumed, "but to give you a last and very
important piece of advice. Do you know my son?"

"Certainly; we were formerly the best of comrades during our vacations."

"Very well. When you know my secret--for I shall confide it to you
without reserve--beware of Jean."

"What, sir?"

"Beware of Jean. I repeat it."

And he blushed deeply, as he added:

"Ah! it is a painful avowal for a father; but I have no confidence in my
own son. He knows no more in regard to my plans than I told him on the
day of his arrival. I deceive him, because I fear he might betray us.
Perhaps it would be wise to send him away; but in that case, what would
people say? Most assuredly they would say that I was very avaricious of
my own blood, while I was very ready to risk the lives of others. Still
I may be mistaken; I may misjudge him."

He sighed, and added:

"Beware!"

CHAPTER XIX

So it was really Maurice d'Escorval whom the Marquis de Sairmeuse had
seen leaving Lacheneur's house.

Martial was not certain of it, but the very possibility made his heart
swell with anger.

"What part am I playing here, then?" he exclaimed, indignantly.

He had been so completely blinded by passion that he would not have been
likely to discover the real condition of affairs even if no pains had
been taken to deceive him.

Lacheneur's formal courtesy and politeness he regarded as sincere.
He believed in the studied respect shown him by Jean; and the almost
servile obsequiousness of Chanlouineau did not surprise him in the
least.

And since Marie-Anne welcomed him politely, he concluded that his suit
was progressing favorably.

Having himself forgotten, he supposed that everyone else had ceased to
remember.

Moreover, he was of the opinion that he had acted with great generosity,
and that he was entitled to the deep gratitude of the Lacheneur family;
for M. Lacheneur had received the legacy bequeathed him by Mlle.
Armande, and an indemnity, besides all the furniture he had chosen to
take from the chateau, a total of at least sixty thousand francs.

"He must be hard to please, if he is not satisfied!" growled the duke,
enraged at such prodigality, though it did not cost him a penny.

Martial h