Marescal shook it and held it up against the light of an electric light bulb. It contained a roll of paper.
He hesitated—should he read that paper?
“No, no! Not yet!—Later in the presence of [[186]]Bregeac! Bravo, Sauvinoux! You’ve worked splendidly, my lad!”
His joy was overflowing. He went away, murmuring:
“This time I am near my goal. I hold Bregeac in my hands and I’ve only to tighten my grip. As for the girl, there is no longer any one to defend her. Her lover is in prison. There are just you and I, darling!” [[187]]
CHAPTER IX
SISTER ANN, SISTER ANN, DO YOU SEE ANYTHING?
At two o’clock the same day Aurelie was dressing feebly. An old servant of the house of Valentine, who was now the only servant they had, had brought up her lunch to her room and had told her that Bregeac wished to speak to her.
She had not fully recovered from her illness. Pale and very feeble, she put some rouge on her lips and cheeks and forced herself to appear before the man she detested, carrying her head high.