“I am only a depositary, you tell me.  It was, indeed, in this light that I formerly regarded myself.

“If your poor sainted mother was still alive, she would tell you the anxiety and anguish I felt on being made the master of riches which were not mine.  I trembled lest I should yield to their seductions; I was afraid of myself.  I felt as a gambler might feel who had the winnings of others confided to his care; as a drunkard might feel who had been placed in charge of a quantity of the most delicious wines.

“Your mother would tell you that I moved heaven and earth to find the Duc de Sairmeuse.  But he had left the Count d’Artois, and no one knew where he had gone or what had become of him.  Ten years passed before I could make up my mind to inhabit the chateau—­yes, ten years—­during which I had the furniture dusted each morning as if the master was to return that evening.

“At last I ventured.  I had heard Monsieur d’Escorval declare that the duke had been killed in battle.  I took up my abode here.  And from day to day, in proportion as the domain of Sairmeuse became more beautiful and extensive beneath my care, I felt myself more and more its rightful owner.”

But this despairing pleading in behalf of a bad cause produced no impression upon Marie-Anne’s loyal heart.

“Restitution must be made,” she repeated.  M. Lacheneur wrung his hands.

“Implacable!” he exclaimed; “she is implacable.  Unfortunate girl! does she not understand that it is for her sake I wish to remain where I am?  I am old, and I am familiar with toil and poverty; idleness has not removed the callosities from my hands.  What do I require to keep me alive until the day comes for me to take my place in the graveyard?  A crust of bread and an onion in the morning, a porringer of soup in the evening, and for the night a bundle of straw.  I could easily earn that.  But you, unhappy child! and your brother, what will become of you?”

“We must not discuss nor haggle with duty, my father.  I think, however, that you are needlessly alarmed.  I believe the duke is too noble-hearted ever to allow you to suffer want after the immense service you have rendered him.”

The old servitor of the house of Sairmeuse laughed a loud, bitter laugh.

“You believe that!” said he; “then you do not know the nobles who have been our masters for ages.  ’A., you are a worthy fellow!’—­very coldly said—­will be the only recompense I shall receive; and you will see us, me, at my plough; you, out at service.  And if I venture to speak of the ten thousand francs that were given me, I shall be treated as an impostor, as an impudent fool.  By the holy name of God this shall not be!”

“Oh, my father!”

“No! this shall not be.  And I realize—­as you cannot realize—­the disgrace of such a fall.  You think you are beloved in Sairmeuse?  You are mistaken.  We have been too fortunate not to be the victims of hatred and jealousy.  If I fall to-morrow, you will see all who kissed your hands to-day fall upon you to tear you to pieces!”