y way
to honor my father's memory was to avenge him, to wrest his spoils
from the scoundrels who had caused his death. I see it clearly
to-day. But, before undertaking any thing, I wished to consult you."

Mlle. Gilberte was listening with the most intense attention. She
had come to mingle so completely in her thoughts her future life and
that of M. de Tregars, that she saw nothing unusual in the fact of
his consulting her upon matters affecting their prospects, and of
seeing herself standing there deliberating with him.

"You will require proofs," she suggested.

"I have none, unfortunately," replied M. de Tregars; "at least, none
sufficiently positive, and such as are required by courts of justice.
But I think I may find them. My former suspicions have become a
certainty. The same good luck that enabled me to deliver you of M.
Costeclar's persecutions, also placed in my hands the most valuable
information."

"Then you must act," uttered Mlle. Gilberte resolutely.

Marius hesitated for a moment, as if seeking expression to convey
what he had still to say. Then,

"It is my duty," he proceeded, "to conceal nothing from you. The
task is a heavy one. The obscure schemers of ten years ago have
become big financiers, intrenched behind their money-bags as behind
an impregnable fort. Formerly isolated, they have managed to gather
around them powerful interests, accomplices high in office, and
friends whose commanding situation protects them. Having succeeded,
they are absolved. They have in their favor what is called public
consideration,--that idiotic thing which is made up of the admiration
of the fools, the approbation of the knaves, and the concert of all
interested vanities. When they pass, their horses at full trot,
their carriage raising a cloud of dust, insolent, impudent, swelled
with the vulgar fatuity of wealth, people bow to the ground, and say,
'Those are smart fellows!' And in fact, yes, by skill or luck, they
have hitherto avoided the police-courts where so many others have
come to grief. Those who despise them fear them, and shake hands
with them. Moreover, they are rich enough not to steal any more
themselves. They have employes to do that. I take Heaven to witness
that never until lately had the idea come to me to disturb in their
possession the men who robbed my father. Alone, what need had I of
money? Later, O my friend! I thought I could succeed in conquering
the fortune I needed