"It is true, however, that it rests only with her to decide whether she will be the Marquise de Sairmeuse tomorrow.

Let us abandon these recriminations, they do not further the progress of our business." The faint glimmer of reason which still lighted M.de Sairmeuse's mind, checked the still more insulting reply that rose to his lips.

Trembling with suppressed rage, he made the circuit of the room several times, and finally paused before Marie-Anne, who remained in the same place, as motionless as a statue.
"Come, my good girl," said he, "give me the writing." "It is not in my possession, sir." "Where is it ?" "In the hands of a person who will give it to you only under certain conditions." "Who is this person ?" "I am not at liberty to tell you." There was both admiration and jealousy in the look that Martial fixed upon Marie-Anne.
He was amazed by her coolness and presence of mind.

Ah! how powerful must be the passion that imparted such a ringing clearness to her voice, such brilliancy to her eyes, such precision to her responses.
"And if I should not accept the--the conditions which are imposed, what then ?" asked M.de Sairmeuse.
"In that case the writing will be utilized." "What do you mean by that ?" "I mean, sir, that early to-morrow morning a trusty messenger will start for Paris, charged with the task of submitting this document to the eyes of certain persons who are not exactly friends of yours.

He will show it to Monsieur Laine, for example--or to the Duc de Richelieu; and he will, of course, explain to them its significance and its value.