He looked at her; but as she said nothing, he went on in a lower voice and yet more serious accents. “Listen, Aurelie. For some time we have been under observation. In the Ministry they search my drawers. Superiors and inferiors, all the world is in league against me. Why? Because they are all more or less in the pay of Marescal, and because they all know he is more powerful than I with the Minister. Now, you and I are linked to one another if only because he hates us both. And we are linked to one another by our past, which, whether you like it or not, is the same. I have brought you up. I am your guardian. My ruin is yours. And I even ask myself if it is not you they are really about to attack for reasons of which I am ignorant. Yes; I have got the impression from certain facts that they will leave me strictly alone, but that you are directly threatened.” She looked as if she were about to faint and asked: “What facts?” He answered: “It’s worse than that. I have received an anonymous letter, written on the paper of the Ministry—an absurd and incoherent letter in which I am warned that a prosecution is going to be started against you.” She had the strength to say: “A prosecution? You’re mad. And it’s because an anonymous letter——” “Yes, I know what you’re going to say,” he said quickly. “Some idle official who has heard some stupid rumor. But all the same Marescal is capable of every abomination.” “If you’re afraid, keep out of the business,” she said coldly. “I’m afraid for you, Aurelie.” “I’ve nothing to fear.” “Yes, you have,” he said quickly. “This man has sworn to destroy you.” “Then let me go.” “Are you strong enough?” “I’ve all the strength I need to escape from this prison in which you keep me and never to see you again,” she said bitterly. He shrugged his shoulders with an air of discouragement. “Don’t say that,” he said. “I could not live without you. I have suffered too much during your absence. I would rather endure anything—anything rather than be separated from you. My whole life depends on your regard, on you.” She drew herself up, trembling with indignation, and cried: “I forbid you to speak to me like that. You swore to me that I should never hear a word of that kind again—abominable words!” She sank back in her chair, exhausted by the effort. He moved away from her and threw himself into an arm-chair, his head between his hands, his shoulders shaken by his sobs, like a vanquished man for whom existence is an intolerable burden.