of the descent was argued from Melmotte’s skill
in forgery. But Marie, though she was thus isolated,
and now altogether separated from the lords and duchesses
who a few weeks since had been interested in her career,
was the undoubted owner of the money,—a
fact which was beyond the comprehension of Madame
Melmotte. She could understand,—and
was delighted to understand,—that a very
large sum of money had been saved from the wreck, and
that she might therefore look forward to prosperous
tranquillity for the rest of her life. Though
she never acknowledged so much to herself, she soon
learned to regard the removal of her husband as the
end of her troubles. But she could not comprehend
why Marie should claim all the money as her own.
She declared herself to be...