Hardin, with unmoved face, seats himself opposite Natalie. Pere
Francois remains.
"I will accept your terms, Judge Hardin," she steadily says,
"with the addition that the advice of Judge Davis be at my service
regarding the papers, and that I leave to-morrow for San Francisco.
"You are to send an agent, also. The money to be transferred by
telegraph, payable absolutely to me at Paris, by my bankers, at
the appointed time. Your agent may accompany me to the frontier
of the State. I will leave as soon as the bankers acknowledge the
transfer.
"In case of any failure on your part, the obligation to keep silent
ceases. I retain the marriage papers."
Hardin bows his head. The priest is silent. In a few moments, the
senator-elect says:
"I agree to all." His senatorial debut pictures itself in his mind.
Madame de Santos rises, "I authorize Pere Francois to remain with
you, on my behalf. Let the papers be at once prepared. I am ready
to leave to-morrow morning. I only insist the two papers which would
affect my child, be duplicated, and both witnessed by our lawyers."
Hardin bows assent. Natalie de Santos walks toward the door of her
rooms. Her last words fall on his ear: "Pere Francois will represent
me in all.
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