"Now," continued M. Lacheneur, "I must tell you my hopes, and acquaint
you with the cause for which I am laboring----"
"What does that matter to me?" Maurice exclaimed, gayly; and, springing
toward Marie-Anne, he seized her hand and raised it to his lips, crying,
with the joyous laugh of youth:
"My cause--here it is!"
Lacheneur turned away. Perhaps he recollected that a sacrifice of his
pride was all that was necessary to assure the happiness of these poor
children.
But if a feeling of remorse entered his mind, he drove it away, and with
increased sternness, he said:
"Still, Monsieur d'Escorval, it is necessary for you to understand our
agreement."
"Make known your conditions, sir."
"First, your visits here--after certain rumors that I have put in
circulation--would arouse suspicion. You must come here only at night,
and then only at hours that have been agreed upon in advance--never when
you are not expected."
The attitude of Maurice expressed his entire consent.
"Moreover, you must find some way to cross the river without having
recourse to the ferryman, who is a dangerous fellow.
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