"Heaven comes to my aid!" thought Marie-Anne as she walked homeward.

She thought that she would no longer be alone, that Mme. d'Escorval
would be with her to talk to her of Maurice, and that all the friends
who would surround her would aid her in driving away the thoughts of
Martial, which haunted her.

So the next day she was more cheerful than she had been for months, and
once, while putting her little house in order, she was surprised to find
herself singing at her work.

Eight o'clock was sounding when she heard a peculiar whistle.

It was the signal of the younger Poignot, who came bringing an arm-chair
for the sick man, the abbe's box of medicine, and a bag of books.

These articles Marie-Anne deposited in the room which Chanlouineau had
adorned for her, and which she intended for the baron. After arranging
them to her satisfaction she went out to meet young Poignot, who had
told her that he would soon return with other articles.

The night was very dark, and Marie-Anne, as she hastened on, did not
notice two motionless figures in the shadow of a clump of lilacs in her
little garden.

CHAPTER XLV

Detected by Mme. Blanche in a palpable falsehood, Chupin was quite
crestfallen for a moment.

He saw the pleasing vision of a retreat at Courtornieu vanish; he saw
himself suddenly deprived of frequent gifts which permitted him to spare
his hoarded treasure, and even to increase it.

But he soon regained his assurance, and with an affectation of frankness
he said:

"I may be stupid, but I could not deceive an infant. Someone must have
told you falsely."

Mme. Blanche shrugged her shoulders.

"I obtained my information from two persons who were ignorant of the
interest it would possess for me."

"As truly as the sun is in the heavens I swear----"

"Do not swear; simply confess that you have been wanting in zeal."

The young lady's manner betrayed such positive certainty that Chupin
ceased his denials and changed his tactics.

With the most abject humility, he admitted that the evening before he
had relaxed his surveillance; he had been very busy; one of his boys had
injured his foot; then he had encountered some friends who persuaded
him to enter a drinking-saloon, where he had taken more than usual, so
that----

He told this story in a whining tone, and every moment he interrupted
himself to affirm his repentance and to cover himself with reproaches.

"Old drunkard!" he said, "this will te