It
was a snare to catch the bird. I felt indignant that he should
suppose me so wanting in delicacy of feeling and nobility of
character as to be dazzled by the life of display and facile
pleasure which he had depicted. I had disliked him at first, and
now I despised him; for it was impossible to misunderstand the
shameless proposal concealed beneath his half-jesting words. He
offered me my liberty in exchange for my fortune. That is only a
fair contract, one might say. Perhaps so; but if he were willing
to do this for a certain amount of money, what would he not do for
a sum twice or thrice as large? Such were my impressions, though I
asked myself again and again if I were not mistaken. No; the
events that followed only confirmed my suspicions. Three days
later the marquis came again. His visit was to the count, and
they held a long conference in this study. Having occasion to
enter the room, after the marquis's departure, I noticed on the
table a number of title deeds which he had probably brought for
the count's inspection. On the following week there was another
conference, and this time a lawyer was present. Any further
doubts I might have felt were dispelled by Madame Leon, who was
always well informed--thanks to her habit of listening at the
keyholes. 'They are talking of marrying you to the Marquis de
Valorsay--I heard them,' she remarked to me.
"However, the information did not terrify me.
Pages:
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250