read at last:

"One of the richest and most intelligent manufacturers in Paris,
M. Marcolet, has just purchased in Grenelle the vast grounds
belonging to the Lacoche estate. He proposes to build upon them
a manufacture of chemical products, the management of which is to
be placed in the hands of M. de T--.

"Although still quite young, M. de T---- is already well known in
connection with his remarkable studies on electricity. He was,
perhaps, on the eve of solving the much controverted problem of
electricity as a motive-power, when his father's ruin compelled him
to suspend his labors. He now seeks to earn by his personal industry
the means of prosecuting his costly experiments.

"He is not the first to tread this path. Is it not to the invention
of the machine bearing his name, that the engineer Giffard owes the
fortune which enables him to continue to seek the means of steering
balloons? Why should not M. de T--, who has as much skill and energy,
have as much luck?"

"Ah! he does not forget me," thought Mlle. Gilberte, moved to tears
by this article, which, after all, was but a mere puff, written by
Marcolet himself, without the knowledge of M. de Tregars.

She was still under that impression, thinking that Marius was already
at work, when her father announced to her that he had discovered a
husband, and enjoined her to find him to her liking, as he, the
master, thought it proper that she should.

Hence the energy of her refusal.

But hence also, the imprudent vivacity which had enlightened Mme.
Favoral, and which made her say:

"You hide something from me, Gilberte?"

Never had the young girl been so cruelly embarrassed as she was at
this moment by this sudden and unforeseen perspicacity.

Would she confide to her mother?

She felt, indeed, no repugnance to do so, certain as she was, in
advance, of the inexhaustible indulgence of the poor woman; and,
besides, she would have been delighted to have some one at last
with whom she could speak of Marius.

But she knew that her father was not the man to give up a project
conceived by himself. She knew that he would return to the charge
obstinately, without peace, and without truce. Now, as she was
determined to resist with a no less implacable obstinacy, she
foresaw terrible struggles, all sorts of violence and persecutions.

Informed of the truth, would Mme. Favoral have strength enough to
resist these daily storms? Would not a time come, when,