His discernment and
intelligence were certainly above his station, but he was not
sufficiently acute to read a character like that of the young Marquis de
Sairmeuse.
The document which he had written in a moment of _abandon_ and
blindness, was almost without influence in determining his course.
He pretended to be greatly alarmed, in order to frighten his father; but
in reality he considered the threat puerile.
Marie-Anne would have obtained the same assistance from him if she had
not possessed this letter.
Other influences had decided him: the difficulties and dangers of the
undertaking, the risks to be incurred, the prejudices to be braved.
To save the life of Baron d'Escorval--an enemy--to wrest him from the
execution on the very steps of the scaffold, as it were, seemed to him
a delightful enterprise. And to assure the happiness of the woman he
adored by saving the life of an enemy, even after his suit had been
refused, seemed a chivalrous act worthy of him.
Besides, what an opportunity it afforded for the exercise of his
_sang-froid_, his diplomatic talent, and the _finesse_ upon which he
prided himself!
It was necessary to make his father his dupe.
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