Without waiting for a reply from Duvallon, I went out, mounted my horse, and set off for the farm.
Lefort and his son had already started ahead of me.
SERVAL, 31st December, 18—.
Yesterday Duvallon did not dare to come to the farm.
He wrote to Marie telling her that he had gone back to Nantes. The letter was filled with the grossest insults. He threatened her with the return of Belmont.
Marie is plunged in the darkest despair. To-day I was not able to see her.
There is but one thing left for me to do: that is to persuade Marie to follow me.
What can her life be from this time?
If Belmont comes back he will sooner or later be arrested, whether I denounce him or no.
If he is acquitted, he is Marie's master: she is his wife; she will be obliged to go with him.