Countess in her own right, she could bring her husband a title and certain prerogatives, together with a long lineage.

Perhaps in thinking of these advantages the elder of the twins, the Marquis de Simeuse, would sacrifice himself to give Laurence to his brother, who, according to the old laws, was poor and without a title.

But would the younger brother deprive the elder of the happiness of having Laurence for a wife?
At a distance, this strife of love and generosity might do no harm,--in fact, so long as the brothers were facing danger the chances of war might end the difficulty; but what would be the result of this reunion?
When Marie-Paul and Paul-Marie reached the age when passions rise to their greatest height could they share, as now, the looks and words and attentions of their cousin?
must there not inevitably arise a jealousy between them the consequences of which might be horrible?
What would then become of the unity of those beautiful lives, one in heart though twain in body?
To these questionings, passed from one to another as they finished their game, Madame d'Hauteserre replied that in her opinion Laurence would not marry either of her cousins.

The poor lady had experienced that evening one of those inexplicable presentiments which are secrets between the mother's heart and God.
Laurence, in her inward consciousness, was not less alarmed at finding herself tete-a-tete with her cousins.

To the active drama of conspiracy, to the dangers which the brothers had incurred, to the pain and penalties of their exile, was now succeeding another sort of drama, of which she had never thought.