"Answer me."
"Who knows?"
"Why seek to mislead me? Haven't I as well as you had experience in
these things? If Tremorel is brought to trial, all is over with
Laurence! And I love her! Yes, I dare to confess it to you, and let you
see the depth of my grief, I love her now as I have never loved her. She
is dishonored, an object of contempt, perhaps still adores this
wretch--what matters it? I love her a thousand times more than before
her fall, for then I loved her without hope, while now--"
He stopped, shocked at what he was going to say. His eyes fell before M.
Lecoq's steady gaze, and he blushed for this shameful yet human hope
that he had betrayed.
"You know all, now," resumed he, in a calmer tone; "consent to aid me,
won't you? Ah, if you only would, I should not think I had repaid you
were I to give you half my fortune--and I am rich--"