Blanche had triumphed. After this public betrothal Martial was bound to
her.
For a fortnight, indeed, he scarcely left her side. In her society
there was a charm whose sweetness almost made him forget his love for
Marie-Anne.
But unfortunately the haughty heiress could not resist the temptation
to make a slighting allusion to Marie-Anne, and to the lowliness of
the marquis's former tastes. She found an opportunity to say that she
furnished Marie-Anne with work to aid her in earning a living.
Martial forced himself to smile; but the indignity which Marie-Anne had
received aroused his sympathy and indignation.
And the next day he went to Lacheneur's house.
In the warmth of the greeting that awaited him there, all his anger
vanished, all his suspicions evaporated. Marie-Anne's eyes beamed with
joy on seeing him again; he noticed it.
"Oh! I shall win her yet!" he thought.
All the household were really delighted at his return; the son of the
commander of the military forces at Montaignac, and the prospective
son-in-law of the provost-marshal, Martial was a most valuable
instrument.
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