As for Isabel Valois, he has a darker plot than mere theft and forgery, for the future.
The years to come will strengthen his possession and drown out all possible gossip.
Natalie de Santos must hang dependent on his bounty. He will not arm her with weapons against himself. He knows she will not return to face him in California. His power there is too great. If she dares to marry any one, her hold on him is lost. She must lie to hide her past. Hardin smiles, for he counts upon a woman's vanity and love of luxury. The veteran lawyer sums up the situation to himself. She is powerless. She dares not talk. Time softens down all passions. When safe, he will give the child some funds, but very discreetly.
And to bury the memory of Maxime Valois forever is his task.
Broadening his political influence, Hardin moves on to public prominence. He knows well he can bribe or buy judge and jury, suppress facts, and use the golden hammer in his hands, to beat down any attack. Gold, blessed gold!
The clattering stamps ring out merry music at Lagunitas as the months sweep by.
CHAPTER XV. — AN OLD PRIEST AND A YOUNG ARTIST.—THE CHANGELINGS.
As a thoroughfare of all nations, nothing excels the matchless Louvre. Though the fatal year of 1870 summons the legions of France under the last of the Napoleons to defeat, Paris, queen of cities, has yet to see its days of fire and flame. The Prussians thunder at its gates. It is "l'annee terrible." Dissension and rapine within. The mad wolves of the Commune are yet to rage over the bloody paths of the German conqueror.