“Most that I have is mortgaged to him on the investments I made at his direction,” wailed the woman.

“Well?”

“I will try––I am trying, desperately! I will save her, if I can! But––there is Monsignor Lafelle!”

“Is he working with Mr. Ames?”

“He works with and against him. And I’m sure he holds something over you and me. But, I will send for him––I will renew my vows to his Church––anything to––”

“Listen, dearest,” interrupted Carmen. “I will go to Mr. Ames myself. If I am the cause of it all, I can––”

182

“You will not!” cried the Beaubien fiercely. “I––I would kill him!”

“Why, mother dearest!”

The desperate woman put her head in the girl’s lap and sobbed bitterly.