The prefect, a very intelligent man, dropped a word to me yesterday about you which has made me uneasy.

In short, I sincerely wish you would not remain here." This speech was received in dumb amazement.

Marie-Paul rang the bell.
"Gothard," he said, to the little page, "send Michu here." "Michu, my friend," said the Marquis de Simeuse when the man appeared, "is it true that you intended to kill Malin ?" "Yes, Monsieur le marquis; and when he comes here again I shall lie in wait for him." "Do you know that we are suspected of instigating it, and that our cousin, by taking you as her farmer is supposed to be furthering your scheme ?" "Good God!" cried Michu, "am I accursed?
Shall I never be able to rid you of that villain ?" "No, my man, no!" said Paul-Marie.

"But we will always take care of you, though you will have to leave our service and the country too.

Sell your property here; we will send you to Trieste to a friend of ours who has immense business connections, and he'll employ you until things are better in this country for all of us." Tears came into Michu's eyes; he stood rooted to the floor.
"Were there any witnesses when you aimed at Malin ?" asked the Marquis de Chargeboeuf.
"Grevin the notary was talking with him, and that prevented my killing him--very fortunately, as Madame la Comtesse knows," said Michu, looking at his mistress.
"Grevin is not the only one who knows it ?" said Monsieur de Chargeboeuf, who seemed annoyed at what was said, though none but the family were present.
"That police spy who came here to trap my masters, he knew it too," said Michu.
Monsieur de Chargeboeuf rose as if to look at the gardens, and said, "You have made the most of Cinq-Cygne." Then he left the house, followed by the two brothers and Laurence, who now saw the meaning of his visit.
"You are frank and generous, but most imprudent," said the old man.