“Will not the risk be greater if you refuse to answer me?” she asked, looking at him steadily.
Her argument was conclusive. A few minutes, and he had apparently decided.
“Well, if you compel me, I suppose I must tell you,” said he, dropping into a hoarse whisper. “If I do, you’ll promise never to repeat it?”
“Yes,” she replied eagerly.
“Swear to keep the secret. Indeed, it was through my efforts that your life was saved.”
“I’ll preserve silence,” she promised. “Then, the truth is that you were the dangerous rival of a woman in the affections of a man whom she desired should marry her. The man merely admired her, but loved you. Having set her mind upon marrying him, she deliberately planned that you, the only obstacle, should be removed. The woman—”
“Whose name is Valérie Dedieu,” interposed Dolly calmly.
“Why, how did you know?” he asked in surprise.
“I know more than you anticipate,” replied she meaningly.
“Ah, it was a diabolical plot! The woman—I mean Valérie—planned it with Victor.”