oman makes her appearance on the
scene. You go wild like a school-boy and are ready to commit any act of
folly. It is you who I am addressing, Marquis. Do you hear me? Speak!
what have you to say?"

Martial had listened to this tirade with unconcealed scorn, and without
even attempting to interrupt it.

Now he responded, slowly:

"I think, sir, if Mademoiselle Lacheneur _had_ any doubts of the value
of the document she possesses, she has them no longer."

This response fell upon the duke's wrath like a bucket of ice-water. He
instantly comprehended his folly; and frightened by his own words, he
stood stupefied with astonishment.

Without deigning to add another word, the marquis turned to Marie-Anne.

"Will you be so kind as to explain what is required of my father in
exchange for this letter?"

"The life and liberty of Monsieur d'Escorval."

The duke started as if he had received an electric shock.

"Ah!" he exclaimed. "I knew they would ask something that was
impossible!"

He sank back in his arm-chair. A profound despair succeeded his frenzy.
He buried his face in his hands, evidently seeking some expedient.

"Why did you not come to me before judgment was pronounced?" he
murmured. "Then I could have done anything--now, my hands are bound. The
commission has spoken; the judgment must be executed----"

He rose, and in the tone of a man who is resigned to anything, he said:

"Decidedly. I should risk more in attempting to save the baron"--in his
anxiety he gave M. d'Escorval his title--"a thousand times more than I
have to fear from my enemies. So, Mademoiselle"--he no longer said "my
good girl"--"you can utilize your document."

The duke was about leaving the room, but Martial detained him by a
gesture.

"Think again before you decide. Our situation is not without a
precedent. A few months ago the Count de Lavalette was condemned to
death. The King wished to pardon him, but his ministers and friends
opposed it. Though the King was master, what did he do? He seemed to
be deaf to all the supplications made in the prisoner's behalf. The
scaffold was erected, and yet Lavalette was saved! And no one was
compromised--yes, a jailer lost his position; he is living on his income
now."

Marie-Anne caught eagerly at the idea so cleverly presented by Martial.

"Yes," she exclaimed, "the Count de Lavalette, protected by royal
connivance, succeeded in making his escape."

The simplicity of the expedient--the