“Ah—so——”
“Your threats obliged me to decide contrary to my own wishes. I felt that no amount of slander or disgrace would daunt you.”
“Of course not, when so many millions are at stake.”
“I reflected, and I saw that nothing would arrest you upon your downward path except a large fortune. If you were poor and compelled to earn your daily bread—a task which you are probably incapable of performing—who can tell what depths of degradation you might descend to? With your instincts and your vices, who knows what crime you wouldn’t commit to obtain money? It wouldn’t be long before you were in the dock, and I should hear of you only through your disgrace. But, on the other hand, if you were rich, you would probably lead an honest life, like many others, who, wanting for nothing, are not tempted to do wrong, who, in fact, show virtue in which there is nothing worthy of praise. For real virtue implies temptation—a struggle and victory.”
Although he did not understand these remarks very well, M. Wilkie evinced a desire to offer some objections; but Madame d’Argeles had already resumed: “So I went to my notary this morning. I told him everything; and by this time my renunciation of my rights to the estate of the Count de Chalusse is already recorded.”
“What! your renunciation. Oh! no.”
“Allow me to finish since you don’t understand me. As soon as I renounce the inheritance it becomes yours.”
“Truly?”
“I have no wish to deceive you. I only desire that the name of Lia d’Argeles should not be mentioned. I will give you the necessary proofs to establish your identity; my marriage contract and your certificate of birth.”
It was joy that made M. Wilkie speechless now. “And when will you give me these documents?” he faltered, after a short pause.