gratulating herself upon the
step she had taken.

"In less than a month," she said to Aunt Medea, "we shall have the
child; and it will be a protection to us."

But the following week she realized the extent of her imprudence. On
visiting Chelteux again, she was received with such marks of respect
that she saw at once she was known.

She made an attempt to deceive him, but the detective checked her.

"First of all," he said, with a good-humored smile, "I ascertain the
identity of the persons who honor me with their confidence. It is a
proof of my ability, which I give, gratis. But Madame need have no
fears. I am discreet by nature and by profession. Many ladies of the
highest ranks are in the position of Madame la Duchesse!"

So Chelteux still believed that the Duchesse de Sairmeuse was searching
for her own child.

She did not try to convince him to the contrary. It was better that he
should believe this than suspect the truth.

The condition of Mme. Blanche was now truly pitiable. She found herself
entangled in a net, and each movement far from freeing her, tightened
the meshes around her.

Three persons knew the secret that threatened her life and honor. Under
these circumstances, how could she hope to keep that secret inviolate?
She was, moreover, at the mercy of three unscrupulous masters; and
before a word, or a gesture, or a look from them, her haughty spirit was
compelled to bow in meek subservience.

And her time was no longer at her own disposal. Martial had returned;
and they had taken up their abode at the Hotel de Sairmeuse.

The young duchess was now compelled to live under the scrutiny of fifty
servants--of fifty enemies, more or less, interested in watching her, in
criticising her every act, and in discovering her inmost thoughts.

Aunt Medea, it is true, was of great assistance to her. Blanche
purchased a dress for her, whenever she purchased one for herself, took
her about with her on all occasions, and the humble relative expressed
her satisfaction in the most enthusiastic terms, and declared her
willingness to do anything for her benefactress.

Nor did Chelteux give Mme. Blanche much more annoyance. Every three
months he presented a memorandum of the expenses of investigations,
which usually amounted to about ten thousand francs; and so long as she
paid him it was plain that he would be silent.

He had given her to understand, however, that he should expect an
annuity of twenty-four t