Now it is to be, henceforth, open war between us. I have already the advantage, for he is absent; it would not be fair to augment my chances of success by turning informer. So, finally, if Marie loves me enough to vanquish her scruples to forget her duty towards a man whom she believes to be honest and good, shall I not take more pride in my conquest than if she believed herself only sacrificing a vile creature, who was unworthy of her and who had deceived her, a man that the law might claim as its prey?
Decidedly, I shall say nothing at all.
But suppose that man should return? My God, what a frightful thought!
Marie is his wife after all, and it is only by a extraordinary hazard that she has been saved from being defiled by that infamous man.
My scruples are crazy, are stupid. Why should I hesitate to tell Marie all?
But what good would it do? Would such a disclosure hasten, or would it hinder this man's return?
He may come back at any time.
What shall I do? What shall I do?
SERVAL, 12th December, 18—.
My incognito has been discovered, Marie knows who I am.