After marrying, and being so harshly treated that she daily prayed for death to come to her relief, she began to blame everybody but herself for her misfortunes.
Weakly superstitious, she traced back the origin of her sorrows to the day when she took the oath on the holy gospel during mass.
Her constant prayers that God would send her a child to soothe her wounded heart, being unanswered, she was convinced that she was cursed with barrenness for having assisted in the abandonment of an innocent, helpless babe.
She often thought, that by revealing everything, she could appease the wrath of Heaven, and once more enjoy a happy home. Nothing but her love for Valentine gave her strength to resist a constant temptation to confess everything.
But to-day the sight of Louis decided her to relieve her mind. She thought there could be no danger in confiding in Gaston’s brother. Alas for woman’s tongue!
The sale was finally concluded. It was agreed that Fougeroux should give five thousand two hundred and eighty francs in cash for the chateau, and land attached; and Joseph was to have the old furniture.
The marquis and the new owner of the chateau shook hands, and noisily called out the essential word:
“Agreed!”
Fougeroux went himself to get the “bargain bottle” of old wine.
The occasion was favorable to Mihonne; she walked quickly over to where the marquis stood, and said in a nervous whisper: