Madame de Santos sleeps
the sleep of the just. Happy woman!
Marie Berard 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 Cafe 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!
She must see him at once. Yes, Jules will guide her. He can go to
the bank, after she has received her money. And then the double
payment and vengeance on madame!
Like lightning, she muffles herself for the voyage. A coupe, ten
minutes, and above all--a silent exit. All is safe; the house
sleeps.
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