Your financial affairs are
utterly ruined; you are only the nominal possessor of the estate you
inherited from your ancestors. If you succeed in the task which you are
about to undertake, the entire sum of money, the interest of which you
receive annually, becomes your own. Five millions of francs deserve some
sacrifice. With this sum you can become an independent woman, and your
daughter will never be reproached with having been, in her childhood, a
member of Cythera's Brigade."
Countess Themire deliberated a few moments; then she asked:
"May I not kiss my daughter farewell?"
"Leave your kiss with me, and I will deliver it faithfully!" smilingly
responded the marquis.
"How can you jest at such a moment? Suppose my absence lasts a long
time?"
"That is very probable."
"Am I not even to hear from my child--not even to let her know that I am
living?"
"Certainly, countess; you may communicate with her through me. Moreover,
it rests with yourself how soon you will return. Until that time it
shall be my pleasure to take care of Amelie; you may rest in peace as to
that!"
"Yes; she could not be in worse hands than in those of her mother!"
bitterly rejoined the countess.
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