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Rodin made a sign of impatience； to hasten Father d'Aigrigny to read the
note； which he did as follows。 〃‘For some days； the mind of the marshal
has appeared to be less sorrowful； anxious and agitated。 He lately
passed two hours with his daughters； which had not been the case for some
time before。 The harsh countenance of the soldier Dagobert is becoming
smoothera sure sign of some amelioration in the condition of the
marshal。 Detected by their handwriting； the last anonymous letters were
returned by Dagobert to the postman； without having been opened by the
marshal。 Some other method must be found to get them delivered。'〃
Looking at Rodin； Father d'Aigrigny said to him： 〃Your reverence thinks
with me that this note is not very satisfactory？〃
Rodin held down his head。 One saw by the expression of his countenance
how much he suffered by not being able to speak。 Twice he put his hand
to his throat； and looked at Father d'Aigrigny with anguish。
〃Oh！〃 cried Father d'Aigrigny； angrily； when he had perused another note；
〃for one lucky chance； to…day brings some very black ones。〃
At these words turning hastily to Father d'Aigrigny； and extending his
trembling hands； Rodin questioned him with look and gesture。 The
cardinal； sharing his uneasiness； exclaimed： 〃What do you learn by this
note； my dear father？〃
〃We thought the residence of M。 Hardy in our house completely unknown；〃
replied Father d'Aigrigny； 〃but we now fear that Agricola Baudoin has
discovered the retreat of his old master； and that he has even
communicated with him by letter； through a servant of the house。 So；〃
added the reverend father； angrily； 〃during the three days that I have
not been able to visit the pavilion； one of my servants must have been
bought over。 There is one of them； a man blind of one eye； whom I have
always suspectedthe wretch！ But no： I will not yet believe this
treachery。 The consequences would be too deplorable； for I know how
matters stand； and that such a correspondence might ruin everything。 By
awaking in M。 Hardy memories with difficulty laid asleep； they might
destroy in a single day all that has been done since he inhabits our
house。 Luckily； this note contains only doubts and fears； my other
information will be more positive； and will not； I hope； confirm them。〃
〃My dear father；〃 said the cardinal； 〃do not despair。 The Lord will not
abandon the good cause！〃
Father d'Aigrigny seemed very little consoled by this assurance。 He
remained still and thoughtful； whilst Rodin writhed his head in a
paroxysm of mute rage； as he reflected on this new check。
〃Let us turn to the last note；〃 said Father d'Aigrigny； after a moment of
thoughtful silence。 〃I have so much confidence in the person who sends
it； that I cannot doubt the correctness of the information it contains。
May it contradict the others！〃
In order not to break the chain of facts contained in this last note；
which was to have so startling an effect on the actors in this scene； we
shall leave it to the reader's imagination to supply the exclamations of
surprise； hate； rage and fear of Father d'Aigrigny； and the terrific
pantomime of Rodin； during the perusal of this formidable document； the
result of the observations of a faithful and secret agent of the reverend
fathers。 Comparing this note with the other information received； the
results appeared more distressing to the reverend fathers。 Thus Gabriel
had long and frequent conferences with Adrienne； who before was unknown
to him。 Agricola Baudoin had opened a communication with Francis Hardy；
and the officers of justice were on the track of the authors and
instigators of the riot which had led to the burning of the factory of
Baron Tripeaud's rival。 It seemed almost certain that Mdlle。 de
Cardoville had had an interview with Prince Djalma。
This combination of facts showed that； faithful to the threats she had
uttered to Rodin； when she had unmasked the double perfidy of the
reverend father； Mdlle。 de Cardoville was actively engaged in uniting the
scattered members of her family； to form a league against those dangerous
enemies； whose detestable projects； once unveiled and boldly encountered；
could hardly have a chance of success。 The reader will now understand
the tremendous effect of this note on Father d'Aigrigny and Rodinon
Rodin； stretched powerless on a bed of pain at the moment when the
scaffolding； raised with so much labor； seemed to be tumbling around him。
CHAPTER XXIX。
THE OPERATION。
We have given up the attempt to paint the countenance； attitude； and
gesticulation of Rodin during the reading of this note； which seemed to
ruin all his most cherished hopes。 Everything was failing at once； at
the moment when only superhuman trust in the success of his plans could
give him sufficient energy to strive against mortal sickness。 A single；
absorbing thought had agitated him even to delirium： What progress；
during his illness； had been made in this immense affair？ He had first
heard a good piece of news； the death of Jacques Rennepont； but now the
advantages of this decease； which reduced the number of the heirs from
seven to six； were entirely lost。 To what purpose would be this death；
if the other members of the family； dispersed and persecuted with such
infernal perseverance； were to unite and discover the enemies who had so
long aimed at them in darkness？ If all those wounded hearts were to
console； enlighten； support each other； their cause would be gained； and
the inheritance rescued from the reverend fathers。 What was to be done？
Strange power of the human will！Rodin had one foot in the grave； he was
almost at the last gasp； his voice had failed him。 And yet that
obstinate nature； so full of energy and resources； did not despair。 Let
but a miracle restore his health； and that firm confidence in the success
of his projects which has given him power to struggle against disease；
tells him that he could yet save allbut then he must have health and
life！ Health！ life！ His physician does not know if he will survive the
shockif he can bear the painof a terrible operation。 Health！ life！
and just now Rodin heard talk of the solemn funeral they had prepared for
him。 And yethealth； life； he will have them。 Yes； he has willed to
liveand he has livedwhy should he not live longer？ He will live
because he has willed it。
All that we have just written passed though Rodin's mind in a second。
His features； convulsed by the mental torment he endured； must have
assumed a very strange expression； for Father d'Aigrigny and the cardinal
looked at him in silent consternation。 Once resolved to live； and to
sustain a desperate struggle with the Rennepont family； Rodin acted in
consequence。 For a few moments Father d'Aigrigny and the prelate
believed themselves under the influence of a dream。 By an effort of
unparalleled energy； and as if moved by hidden mechanism； Rodin sprang
from the bed； dragging the sheet with him； and trailing it； like a
shroud； behind his livid and fleshless body。 The room was cold； the face
of the Jesuit was bathed in sweat； his naked and bony feet left their