“There is one way—only one way,” he answered, bending towards her, speaking confidentially, and keeping his deep-set eyes fixed upon hers. “The man Dubard has very cleverly succeeded in forcing you to accept him as husband. But you must escape from your present peril by revealing the truth.”
“The truth of what?”
“The truth of that man’s motives.”
“But they are all a mystery. How can I ascertain the truth?”
“There is one man who knows—one man who, if he chose to speak, could at once give you freedom.”
“But who is he?” she inquired eagerly.
“Felice Solaro—your friend.”
“Solaro!” she gasped. “But he is in prison in Turin, condemned for fifteen years for treason!”
“For an offence of which he is not guilty,” declared the Under-Secretary quickly.
“Ah! And that is your opinion, as mine, general!” she cried eagerly. “I know he is innocent.”