The expectant Raoul caught the word. He gave an exclamation of joy, as if a light had broken upon his dark despair.
"The safe!" he cried; "do you know where the key is?"
"Yes, it is here."
"Thank heaven!"
He looked at Madame Fauvel with such a demoniacal glance that she dropped her eyes.
"Give it to me, mother," he entreated.
"Miserable boy!"
"It is life that I ask of you."
This prayer decided her. Taking a candle, she stepped quickly into her room, opened the writing-desk, and there found M. Fauvel's own key.
But as she was handing it to Raoul, reason returned.