being run over by Mme. de
Thaller's carriage; the long letter she had written from the
hospital, begging for assistance; her visit to the house, and her
meeting with the Baron de Thaller; the effort to induce her to
emigrate to America; her arrest by means of false information, and
her escape, thanks to the kind peace-officer; the attempt upon her
as she was going home late one night; and, finally, her imprisonment
after the Commune, among the _petroleuses_, and her release through
the interference of the same honest friend.

And, charging her with the responsibility of all these
infamous acts, he paused for an answer or a protest.

And, as Mme. de Thaller said nothing,

"You are looking at me, madame, and wondering how I have discovered
all that. A single word will explain it all. The peace-officer
who saved your daughter is precisely the same to whom it was once
my good fortune to render a service. By comparing notes, we have
gradually reached the truth,--reached you, madame. Will you
acknowledge now that I have more proofs than are necessary to apply
to the courts?"

Whether she acknowledged it or not, she did not condescend to discuss.

"What then?" she said coldly.

But M. de Tregars was too much on his guard to expose himself, by
continuing to speak thus, to reveal the secret of his designs.

Besides, whilst he was thoroughly satisfied as to the manoeuvres
used to defraud his father he had, as yet, but presumptions on what
concerned Vincent Favoral.

"Permit me not to say another word, madame," he replied. "I have
told you enough to enable you to judge of the value of my weapons."

She must have felt that she could not make him change his mind, for
she rose to go.

"That is sufficient," she uttered. "I shall reflect; and to-morrow
I shall give you an answer."

She started to go; but M. de Tregars threw himself quickly between
her and the door.

"Excuse me," he said; "but it is not to-morrow that I want an answer:
it is to-night, this instant!"

Ah, if she could have annihilated him with a look.

"Why, this is violence," she said in a voice which betrayed the
incredible effort she was making to control herself.

"It is imposed upon me by circumstances, madame."

"You would be less exacting, if my husband were here."

He must have been within hearing; for suddenly the door opened, and
he appeared upon the threshold. There are people for whom the
unforeseen does not exist, and whom no ev