Volume II Part 36 (2/2)
”Marquis,” said he, ”I a I ask you for the last time, what is your decision? I offer you peace or war
Peace means for you power and influence, while war--”
”War?” repeated Fougereuse, confused ”I--do not understand you!”
”Then I will express myself more clearly When the society reposes its confidence in a man like you and discloses its round, to be used in case of necessity
A comrade sometimes becomes an opponent--”
”I--should I ever become an enemy of the fathers? Oh, you do not believe that yourself!”
”Our measures are such that it cannot be done very easily, anyhow,”
replied Velletri, with faint malice; ”this is our ultimatum: Either you accept my proposition and hand over the sum named within five days, or one of our emissaries will place certain papers in the hands of the district-attorney!”
Fougereuse trely said:
”I--do not--understand--you”
”Then listen The papers are drafts whose signatures have been forged by the Vicomte de Talizac, and which are in our hands”
”Drafts? Forged drafts? Impossible--my son is not a criminal!” cried the marquis, desperately
”Ask the vico, he added: ”Marquis, I give you time to consider As soon as you have made up your mind, please be so kind as to let me know”
”One eable?”
”Perfectly so Inside of the next five days the preliminary steps must be taken in the Chamber of Peers--”
”I will do them to-morrow,” cried the ive the necessary guarantee Marquis, adieu!”
The Italian went away, and Fougereuse, entirely broken down, re deeply, when Simon, who had remained behind the curtain and overheard the interview, softly stepped forth, and said:
”Courage, marquis; there is no reason for despair Write to the pious fathers that you will satisfy their demands within the required five days”
”But I do not understand--”
”And yet it is very clear Fanfaro is in prison--”
”Even so--he will not be condees do not kill him, there are other acy of the Fougereuse will fall into your hands, and then the cabinet position is sure”