"
She said this, and yet she was dying of sorrow and anguish.
Faithful to the promise she had made Maurice, she had said nothing of
her condition, or of the marriage solemnized in the little church at
Vigano. And she saw with inexpressible terror, the approach of
the moment when she could no longer keep her secret. Her agony was
frightful; but what could she do!
Fly? but where should she go? And by going, would she not lose all
chance of hearing from Maurice, which was the only hope that sustained
her in this trying hour?
She had almost determined on flight when circumstances--providentially,
it seemed to her--came to her aid.
Money was needed at the farm. The guests were unable to obtain any
without betraying their whereabouts, and Father Poignot's little store
was almost exhausted.
Abbe Midon was wondering what they were to do, when Marie-Anne told him
of the will which Chanlouineau had made in her favor, and of the money
concealed beneath the hearth-stone in the best chamber.
"I might go to the Borderie at night," suggested Marie-Anne, "enter the
house, which is unoccupied, obtain the money and bring it here.
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