“Was the secret that we confided to De Croisenois only words?”
This thrust went home.
“Do you mean that you think he would betray us?” said he.
“Why should he not if it were to his interests to do so? Reflect, Croisenois is almost at the end of his tether. We have dangled the line of a princely fortune before his eyes. Do you think he would do nothing if we were to say, ‘Excuse us, but we made a mistake; poor as you are, so you must remain, for we do not intend to help you?’”
“But is it necessary to say that at all?”
“Well, at any rate, whatever we choose to say, what limit do you think he will place upon his extortions now that he holds our secret? We have taught him his music, and he will make us do our part in the chorus, and can blackmail us as well as we can others.”
“We played a foolish game,” answered Dr. Hortebise moodily.
“No; we had to confide in some one. Besides, the two affairs, that of Madame de Mussidan and the Duke de Champdoce, ran so well together. They were the simultaneous emanations of my brain. I worked them up together, and together they must stand or fall.”
“Then you are determined to go on?”
“Yes; more determined than ever.”