Upon this, the two young gentlemen took each of the country neighbours by the arm, and drew them away into another room, talking of shooting and travelling. The side door through which they went out, had scarcely closed upon them, when Paul appeared at the principal one. He went into the room he already knew, each corner of which concealed a door--the one led to a library, the other to the room in which he had been shut up on his first visit, awaiting the result of the conference between Marguerite and Emanuel, and then approaching the table, he remained there for a moment, looking attentively at the two doors, as though he had expected to see one of them opened. His hope was not fallacious. In a few moments, that of the library was opened, and he perceived a white form standing within it; he rushed towards it. “Is it you, Marguerite?” said he. “Yes,” replied a trembling voice. “Well?” “I told him all?” “And--” “And in ten minutes the contract is to be signed.” “I suspected as much--he is a miserable wretch.” “What’s to be done?” cried the young girl. “Take courage, Marguerite.” “Courage--oh! it now fails me entirely.” “There is that which will restore it,” said Paul, handing her a letter. “What does this letter contain?” “The name of the village in which you will find your son, and the name of the woman in whose house he has been concealed.” “My son! oh! you are my guardian angel,” cried Marguerite, endeavoring to kiss the hand which held the paper to her. “Silence! someone is coming--whatever may happen, you will find one at Achards.” Marguerite suddenly closed the door without replying to him, for she had heard: the sound of her brother’s footsteps. Paul turned round, and went to meet him, which he did, near the table. “I expected you at another time, sir, and in less numerous company,” said Emanuel, who was the first to speak. “It appears to me that we are alone at this moment,” said Paul, glancing around the room. “Yes, but it is here that the contract is to be signed, and in an instant this room will be full.” “But many things may be said in an instant, count.” “You are right, sir, but you must meet a man who does not require more than an instant to comprehend them.” “I am listening,” said Paul. “You spoke to me of letters,” rejoined Emanuel, drawing nearer to him, and lowering his voice. “It is true,” said Paul, with the same calmness. “You fixed a price upon those letters?” “That is also true.” “Well, then! if you are a man of honor, for that price, for the sum enclosed in this pocket-book, you ought now to be prepared to give them up.”