"By her notary, perhaps? For a moment I had such a suspicion." "The man was a monster, sir! Alas! this cruel crime is not his only one. But, happily," said Clémence, thinking of Rudolph, "he has been compelled to make restitution; and while closing the eyes of Madame de Fermont, I have been able to assure her that her daughter is provided for. Her death thus had fewer pangs." "I comprehend; knowing that her daughter was under your protection, madame, my poor friend died more tranquilly." "Not only is my protection forever secured to Miss de Fermont, but her fortune will also be restored." "Her fortune! How? The notary--" "Has been forced to restore her money, which he had appropriated to himself by a horrid crime!" "A crime?" "This man assassinated the brother of Madame de Fermont, and made her believe that this unfortunate man had committed suicide, after having dissipated her fortune." "This is horrible; it can hardly be credited; and yet I have had my doubts about this notary, for Renneville was honor itself. And this money--" "Is deposited with a venerable priest, M. le Curé of Bonne-Nouvelle; he will hand it to Miss de Fermont." "This restitution is not sufficient for human justice, madame! The scaffold claims this notary, for he has not only committed one murder, but two. The death of Madame de Fermont, the sufferings which her daughter has endured on this hospital bed, have been caused by the infamous abuse of confidence of this wretch!" "And this wretch has committed another murder, quite as frightful!" "What do you say, madame?" "If he made away with the brother of Madame de Fermont by a pretended suicide, only a few days since he cruelly murdered a young girl, in whose destruction he was interested, by causing her to be drowned, certain that this would be attributed to accident." Saint Rémy shuddered, looked at Madame d'Harville with surprise, and thinking of Fleur-de-Marie, cried: "Oh! what a strange coincidence!" "What is the matter, my lord?" "That young girl! Where was it he wished to drown her?" "In the Seine, near Asnières, I am told." "It is she! it is the same!" cried Saint Rémy. "Of whom do you speak, my lord?" "Of the girl this monster had an interest in." "Fleur-de-Marie?" "Do you know her, my lady?" "Poor child! I loved her tenderly. Ah! if you had known how beautiful she was! But how did your lordship--" "Dr. Griffon and myself gave her the first assistance." "The first assistance? to her? where?" "On Ravageurs' Island, where she was saved." "Saved! Fleur-de-Marie! saved?" "By a good creature, who, at the risk of her life, drew her out of the Seine. But what is the matter, madame?" "Oh! sir, I dare not believe in so much happiness. I entreat you, tell me--describe the girl!" "Of admirable beauty, and angelic face--" "Large blue eyes--flaxen hair?" "Yes, my lady." "And when they tried to drown her, was she with an aged woman?"