Armed with this secret, he could bestow
the victory on M. Fortunat, and force M. de Coralth to capitulate.
And he could do this all the more easily, as he was sure that
Coralth had not recognized him, and that he was perhaps ignorant
of his very existence. Chupin had allowed himself to be carried
away by a sudden impulse of anger which he regretted; he had made
an ironical illusion to his enemy's past life, but after all this
had done no particular harm. So nothing prevented him from
lending M. Fortunat his assistance, and thus killing two birds
with one stone. He could have his revenge on Coralth, and at the
same time insure his patron a large fee, of which he could claim a
considerable share for himself. But no! The idea of deriving any
profit whatever from this affair inspired him with a feeling of
disgust--honor triumphed over his naturally crafty and avaricious
nature. It seemed to him that any money made in this way would
soil his fingers; for he realized there must be some deep villainy
under all this plotting and planning; he was sure of it, since
Coralth was mixed up in the affair. "I will serve my guv'nor for
nothing," he decided. "When a man is avenged, he's well paid."
Chupin decided upon this course because he could think of no
better plan. Still, if he had been master of events he would have
acted otherwise. He would have quietly presented the government
with this inheritance which he found M.
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