" he went on, "I would say as you do, 'What does
it matter?' But you are no longer alone: you have your mother and
sister to take care of. You must think of food before thinking of
vengeance. How much a month do you earn? Two hundred francs! It
is not much for three persons. I would never suggest that you
should solicit M. de Thaller's protection; but it would be well,
perhaps, to let him know that he has nothing to fear from you. Why
shouldn't you do so when you take his fifteen thousand francs back
to him? If, as every thing indicates, he has been your father's
accomplice, he will certainly be touched by the distress of your
family, and, if he has any heart left, he will manage to make you
find, without appearing to have any thing to do with it, a situation
better suited to your wants. I know that such a step must be very
painful; but I repeat it, my dear child, you can no longer think of
yourself alone; and what one would not do for himself, one does for
a mother and a sister."

Maxence said nothing. Not that he was in any way affected by the
worthy old lawyer's speech; but he was asking himself whether or
not he should confide to him the events which in the past twenty-four
hours had so suddenly modified the situation. He did not feel
authorized to do so.

Marius de Tregars had not bound him to secrecy; but an indiscretion
might have fatal consequences. And, after a moment of thought,

"I am obliged to you, sir," he replied evasively, "for the interest
you have manifested in our welfare; and we shall always greatly
prize your advice. But for the present you must allow me to leave
you with my mother and sister. I have an appointment with--a
friend."

And, without waiting for an answer, he slipped M. de Thaller's
fifteen thousand francs in his pocket, and hurried out. It was not
to M. de Tregars that he went first, however, but to the Hotel des
Folies.

"Mlle. Lucienne has just come home with a big bundle," said Mme.
Fortin to Maxence, with her pleasantest smile, as soon as she had
seen him emerge from the shades of the corridor.

For the past twenty-four hours, the worthy hostess had been watching
for her guest, in the hopes of obtaining some information which she
might communicate to the neighbors. Without even condescending to
answer, a piece of rudeness at which she felt much hurt, he crossed
the narrow court of the hotel at a bound, and started up stairs.

Mlle. Lucienne's room was open.