"In God and in you, my mother. I shall obey all the inspirations you send me, as I obey this, for, strange as it may appear, I cannot divest myself of the idea that this did come from you. At all events, it had its origin in a wise and noble sentiment,--a desire to know the truth, however disheartening it may be. "So to-morrow, I am resolved to attend the reunion at Madame Herbaut's house." * * * * * So the next day, Mlle. de Beaumesnil, having feigned indisposition, and having escaped the assiduous attentions of the Rochaigues by a firm refusal to admit them to her room, left the house soon after nightfall, accompanied by her governess, and, taking a cab some distance from the mansion, was driven to Madame Herbaut's house. END OF VOLUME I. THE SEVEN CARDINAL SINS PRIDE--CONTINUED [Illustration: "Gerald rushed in like one distracted"] Pride--One of the Seven Cardinal Sins. _ILLUSTRATED WITH ETCHINGS BY ADRIAN MARCEL._ _BY EUGENE SUE_ _IN TWO VOLUMES_ _VOLUME II._ CONTENTS. Vol. II. CHAPTER PAGE I. MADAME HERBAUT'S PARTY 13 II. THE DUCHESS ENTERTAINS ERNESTINE 23 III. A BOLD QUESTION 33 IV. REASON ASSERTS ITSELF 43 V. A CONSUMING FEVER OF LOVE 53 VI. A DELICATE MISSION 61 VII. GOOD NEWS 71 VIII. A STARTLING REVELATION 82 IX. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING 91 X. DESPAIR 99 XI. THE BALL 107 XII. M. DE MACREUSE OVERDOES THE MATTER 118 XIII. AN HONEST CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL 131 XIV. VILLAINY UNMASKED 141 XV. THE PROSPECTIVE MINISTER'S DEFEAT 151 XVI. DISINTERESTED AFFECTION 162 XVII. A FRIEND IN NEED 171 XVIII. A QUESTION OF IDENTITY 183 XIX. ERNESTINE'S APPEAL 190 XX. AN ALLIANCE OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE 198 XXI. "DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND" 207 XXII. A FINAL VICTORY 216 XXIII. A TEMPTING BAIT 228 XXIV. AN UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER 241 XXV. A SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE 253 XXVI. A CRUCIAL MOMENT 262 XXVII. THE MYSTERY DEEPENS 274 XXVIII. FOILED! 284