"Allow me, Dame Petronille. I can not go so far as to accept your offer in my husband's name. He alone is the judge of his conduct. He gave me reasons to believe that he would be here this evening to take a few hours' rest. If my expectations prove true, I shall soon see him.... I shall notify him of Master Maillart's proposition. Ask your husband to send his emissary here at midnight. My husband will decide." "He should not hesitate a moment. Believe me, poor Dame Marguerite, you must exert your whole influence upon your husband, and decide him to avail himself of the one opportunity of escape left to him. He is in great danger." At this juncture Denise entered the room affecting great hurry and said: "Aunt, Dame Alison wishes to see you privately; she has no time to wait." To these words Denise added a significant gesture conveying to Marguerite the hint to seize the opportunity for putting an end to the visit of the detested Dame Petronille. Marguerite understood the thoughts of her niece, and said to the councilman's wife: "Please excuse me, there is a visitor I must receive." "Adieu, good Dame Marcel," said the councilman's wife, taking a step towards the door. "Fail not to remember my advice.... We must know how to resign ourselves to what can not be prevented.... The days follow, but do not resemble each other.... For the rest you understand me. Good evening, dear Dame Marguerite, I wish you happier days. May God preserve you and yours!" As always, not envy here followed hatred, but hatred envy. Born of the rankling enviousness that the unworthy entertain for the worthy, Petronille Maillart was consumed with malevolent hatred for the man and woman whose ruin she was plotting. Casting upon Marguerite the furtive look of a viper, Dame Petronille took her leave. CHAPTER II. LAST DAY AT HOME.