It was impossible to doubt this intelligence, for the Montaignac papers
mentioned this fact, with all the circumstances on the following day.
The abbe attributed this sudden and happy change entirely to the rupture
between the duke and the marquis, and this was the universal opinion in
the neighborhood. Even the retired officers remarked:
"The duke is decidedly better than he is supposed to be, and if he has
been severe, it is only because he was influenced by that odious Marquis
de Courtornieu."
Marie-Anne alone suspected the truth. A secret presentiment told her
that it was Martial de Sairmeuse who had shaken off his wonted apathy,
and was working these changes and using and abusing his ascendancy over
the mind of his father.
"And it is for your sake," whispered an inward voice, "that Martial is
thus working. What does this careless egotist care for these obscure
peasants, whose names he does not even know? If he protects them, it is
only that he may have a right to protect you, and those whom you love!"
With these thoughts in her mind, she could not but feel her aversion to
Martial diminish.
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