"You mean, then, to raise up yourself in opposition to me, fearing that I will carry off your mistress? Any one can see that. But I have said that I would take her off, and I mean to take her, _mort-Dieu!_ Don't you suppose that I know all that has been going on here? Don't I know all about the presents you have made her? And haven't I been getting these letters of thanks from those two foolish women, letters that I could not understand, thanking me for all those fine presents? But it has all come to an end, it has got to stop; do you hear? Belmont is on his way home, and in the meantime I take the demoiselle, whether or no, by force if I must." Not wishing to answer this man, I rang the bell. "Pierre," said I to the servant-man, "I wish you to saddle two horses, one for myself and one for George, who must go with me. I also wish you to tell Lefort to mount his horse, and tell his son to do the same. They are to go to the _ferme des Prés_ and wait for me." The servant went out. "Now, monsieur," said I to Duvallon, "reflect well on what you are about to do. If you do not instantly quit this part of the country I will tell all to Madame Belmont and her aunt, and shall advise them to put themselves under the protection of the law. I am going immediately to the Field Farm. I shall wait there for you, monsieur, and I shall see if you dare to come." Then ringing again for Pierre, I said: "Show monsieur out." Without waiting for a reply from Duvallon, I went out, mounted my horse, and set off for the farm. Lefort and his son had already started ahead of me. SERVAL, 31st December, 18--. Yesterday Duvallon did not dare to come to the farm. He wrote to Marie telling her that he had gone back to Nantes. The letter was filled with the grossest insults. He threatened her with the return of Belmont. Marie is plunged in the darkest despair. To-day I was not able to see her. There is but one thing left for me to do: that is to persuade Marie to follow me. What can her life be from this time? If Belmont comes back he will sooner or later be arrested, whether I denounce him or no. If he is acquitted, he is Marie's master: she is his wife; she will be obliged to go with him. If he is found guilty, if he is condemned, what a horrible fate for Marie! And what is to become of me? My life belongs to her, as hers does to me. If she refuses to come with me, what is to be done? The former crimes of this man will not annul the marriage, or if they do, what publicity, what disgusting revelations, will Marie have to submit to! She must do it, she must follow me, it is the only thing she can do. What has she to keep her here, poor orphan girl? Her aunt, that excellent woman. But perhaps she would come with us,--no, no. If she suspected the truth; if she knew that there was between us a sweeter bond than that of friendship, that we belonged to each other for ever and always; if she knew-- No, no! it is not to be thought of.