“What! the papers know already?”
“Every thing.”
“And our name is printed in them?”
“Yes.”
She covered her face with her two hands.
“What disgrace!” she said.
“At first,” went on M. de Tregars, “I could hardly believe what I read. I hastened to come; and the first shopkeeper I questioned confirmed only too well what I had seen in the papers. From that moment, I had but one wish,—to see and speak to you. When I reached the door, I recognized M. Costeclar’s equipage, and I had a presentiment of the truth. I inquired from the concierge for your mother or your brother, and heard that Maxence had gone out a few moments before, and that Mme. Favoral had just left in a carriage with M. Chapelain, the old lawyer. At the idea that you were alone with Costeclar, I hesitated no longer. I ran up stairs, and, finding the door open, had no occasion to ring.”
Mlle. Gilberte could hardly repress the sobs that rose to her throat.
“I never hoped to see you again,” she stammered; “and you’ll find there on the table the letter I had just commenced for you when M. Costeclar interrupted me.”
M. de Tregars took it up quickly. Two lines only were written. He read: “I release you from your engagement, Marius. Henceforth you are free.”