The Clique of Gold

door, when M. de Brevan rushed out of t

ght?" he

had made to conceal his emotions, he had sunk into a chair, hiding his face in his hands, and s

his mind altogethe

seemed to be deeply moved. He looked at him for some time with an air of pity, and

nie

denly been roused from deep slumber; and, as

heard al

e me for my indiscretion. It enables me to give you some fr

w to express his ideas; then he

Miss Vil

y life, don'

Brandon to let your wedding take place a month after her own. But ask for special pledges. Miss Ville-Handry may suffer somewhat durin

that this suggestion opene

hought of th

all you

would advise me to do. B

onor,

ndon the poor old man to the mercy

able to rescue hi

hought so yesterday, and even t

carcely hide h

then what I kn

n the small room, replying to his own object

uld Henrietta accept it? Never, never! Her father knows her well. She is as weak as a

ell her at all wh

word of honor to te

staking what he meant by that gesture. He might just as

ve up your Henrietta, m

en overcome. He ground his

and his life is pretty strong. I have no experience, that is tru

re and energy, had rapidly cooled off, like a man, who, having venture

t upon me," he replied;

time. If necessary, I shall employ detectives, and find out her antecedents. I shall try to interest som

A

d find him. How did you call him? Oh, Malgat! An advertisement inserted in all the leading

o redden perceptibly. He brok

nons

ed, more co

penal servitude, and that he will see in your advertisement a trick of th

not so easily s

e with that young man whom the count mentioned, that M. Wilkie Go

ers insane, and who do not know what to do in order to make themselves notorious. Miss Brandon being

ccount for Miss B

he wedding, he would decamp, and in less than a year she would be divorced. Then there is another thing: Wilkie is only twenty

his words a terrible significance; and

you think Miss

, get into trouble with the police. I have heard he

r his lips; and he added i

pt, perhaps, but much safer, by which people

unlucky Malgat, the cashier of the Mutual Discount Society. Purely moral means, based upon h

cause he did not dare to speak out freely, and reveal his real thoughts; or because it lay in his pl

o a final decision after long hesitation. He who had first advised all kinds of concess

him hour by hour informed of all that might happen, and, abov

niel to himself when he was

om coming to any decision. The more he reflected, the more it seemed to him that Maxime had allowed himself to be carri

selling her beauty and her youth. Such things happen, and are excused by the morality of our day. The same wicked, heartless woman might speculate upon becoming speedily a widow, and thus regaining her liberty, together with a large fortune.

m, even the invitation to dinner which the count had given to him, and the prospect of being introduced that very evening to Miss Br

rising suddenly. "And Henrietta, who has be

efore, and after having spent a sleepless night, she had surely expected him to-day, counting the seconds by the beating of her heart, and starting at the noise of every c

n which he announced friends a

iel Cha

n a moment. She wa

has happened?" But the wo

ok at Daniel's sad face to feel that

in your fears," she sa

la

let me k

etta, provided I can obtain your consent to his marriage wit

Maxime and the count, suppressing only those details which would have made the

ded, Henrietta

shonor and such ruin are coming to a house over which my mother has presided! No; far be it from me

triumph,

never will I bow down before her. Never shall my hand touch hers. And, if my father persi

not let

m, and never leave it again. I do not

determination which nothing could shake or break. And yet the

l certainly not come

she bring

etta, dearest Henrietta! to think that you should be exp

head proudly,

them." Then she adde

near me, to advise me, and to

they will try to p

well that the house will

el

f her hair, and, turning her. eyes away

We will meet secretly. I shall have to stoop to win over one of my waiting-women, who may be discre

ons. There was a question which constantly rose to his lips, and which s

d t

perfectly what he m

til the day should come when the law wo

riet

her hand, and

consent, I will ask you openly for your arm; and then, in broad daylight,

d, and, carrying it to his lips, he said,-"Tha

purpose it was necessary that Henrietta should be induced to conceal her intentions as lon

; but believe me, all your

issed his daughter, said a few words about rain and fine weath

u spoken

es

el

wants a few da

ked displease

usiness, my dear Daniel. And, if you want any additional motive, I will tell

imed Daniel

ed upon his heels; and the butler came

ll and sad. It was promptly despatched; for the count seemed

he coffee around, when he

ste. Miss Brand

ve of Henrietta; he carried him off to his carriage, pushed him in, jumped in af