y never
would require my services for the future. Oh, Monsieur le Comte, it
was not desertion,--that is a cruel word,--it was self-preservation and
common prudence."

"Well," said I, complaisantly, "you apply words better than I applied
them. And how long have you been returned to England?"

"Some few weeks, Count, not more. I was in London when you arrived; I
heard of that event; I immediately repaired to your hotel; you were gone
to my Lord Bolingbroke's; I followed you thither; you had left Dawley
when I arrived there; I learned your route and followed you. _Parbleu_
and _morbleu_! I find you, and you take me for a highwayman!"

"Pardon my mistake: the clearest-sighted men are subject to commit
such errors, and the most innocent to suffer by them. So Montreuil
_persuaded_ you to leave England; did he also persuade you to return?"

"No: I was charged by the Institute with messages to him and others. But
we are near the town, Count, let us defer our conversation till then."

We entered D-----, put up our horses, called for an apartment,--to which
summons Oswald added another for wine,--and then the virtuous Marie
commenced his explanations. I was deeply anxious to ascertain whether
Gerald had ever been made acquainted with the fraud by which he had
obtained possession of the estates of Devereux; and I found that, from
Desmarais, Oswald had learned all that had occurred to Gerald
since Marie had left England. From Oswald's prolix communication, I
ascertained that Gerald was, during the whole of the interval between my
uncle's death and my departure from England, utterly unacquainted with
the fraud of the will. He readily believed that my uncle had found
good reason for altering his intentions with respect to me; and my
law proceedings, and violent conduct towards himself, only excited
his indignation, not aroused his suspicions. During this time he lived
entirely in the country, indulging the rural hospitality and the rustic
sports which he especially affected, and secretly but deeply involved
with Montreuil in political intrigues. All this time the Abbe made no
further use of him than to borrow whatever sums he required for his
purposes. Isora's death, and the confused story of the document given
me by Oswald, Montreuil had interpreted to Gerald according to the
interpretation of the world; namely, he had thrown the suspicion upon
Oswald, as a common villain, who had taken advantage of my credulity
about the will,