“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.”