The under-maid is joyous at her promotion. Madame de Santos sleeps the sleep of the just. Happy woman!
Marie B‚rard rages in her room, while her mistress sleeps in a bed once used by a Queen of France.
The ticking clock drives her to madness. She throws it into the court-yard.
Spurned! foiled! baffled!
Ah, God! She will have both fortunes. She remembers that little paper of years ago.
Yes, to find it now. Near her heart. By the candle, she reads the cabalistic words:
"Leroyne & Co., 16 Rue Vivienne."
Was it an imprudence to speak of Hardin? No, it was a mere threat. Marie's cunning eyes twinkle. She will get this money here quietly. Then, to the bank—to the bank! Two fortunes at one "coup."
But she must see Jules! Jules Tessier! He must help now; he must help. And how? He is at the Caf‚ Ney.
Yet she has often slipped out with him to the "bals de minuit." A friend can replace him; servants keep each others' secrets. Victory!