uch an arrangement both to Marie and to
Croll. Of Fisker she was afraid, thinking that the iniquity of giving
all the money to Marie originated with him, in order that he might
obtain it by marrying the girl. Croll, who understood it all
perfectly, told her the story a dozen times,--but quite in vain. She
made a timid suggestion of employing a lawyer on her own behalf, and
was only deterred from doing so by Marie's ready assent to such an
arrangement. Marie's equally ready surrender of any right she might
have to a portion of the jewels which had been saved had perhaps some
effect in softening the elder lady's heart. She thus was in possession
of a treasure of her own,--though a treasure small in comparison with
that of the younger woman; and the younger woman had promised that
in the event of her marriage she would be liberal.

It was distinctly understood that they were both to go to New York
under Mr Fisker's guidance as soon as things should be sufficiently
settled to allow of their departure; and Madame Melmotte was told,
about the middle of August, that their places had been taken for the
3rd of September. But nothing more was told her. She did not as yet
know whether Marie was to go out free or as the affianced bride of
Hamilton Fisker. And she felt herself injured by being left so much in
the dark. She herself was inimical to Fisker, regarding him as a dark,
designing man, who would ultimately swallow up all that her husband
had left behind him,--and trusted herself entirely to Croll, who was
personally attentive to her. Fisker was, of course, going on to San
Francisco. Marie also had talked of crossing the American continent.
But Madame Melmotte was disposed to think that for her, with her
jewels, and such share of the money as Marie might be induced to give
her, New York would be the most fitting residence. Why should she drag
herself across the continent to California? Herr Croll had declared
his purpose of remaining in New York. Then it occurred to the lady
that as Melmotte was a name which might be too well known in New York,
and which it therefore might be wise to change, Croll would do as well
as any other. She and Herr Croll had known each other for a great many
years, and were, she thought, of about the same age. Croll had some
money saved. She had, at any rate, her jewels,--and Croll would probably
be able to get some portion of all that money, which ought to be hers,
if his affairs were made to be ide