Finally, far from being suspicious, Jacques Ferrand found,
in the progress of events, new motives of security.
All responded to his wishes. The death of Madame Seraphin rid him of a
dangerous accomplice. The death of Fleur-de-Marie (he thought her dead)
released him from the living proof of his crime of child-stealing. He did
not fear the Countess M'Gregor now that she was wounded, while La Chouette
was dead, as we have related.
We repeat, no sentiment of suspicion came to counterbalance in his mind the
sudden, irresistible impression which he had experienced at the sight of
Cecily. He seized, with delight, the occasion to receive into his solitary
dwelling the pretended niece of Madame Pipelet.
The character, habits, antecedents of Jacques Ferrand known and stated, the
provoking beauty of the Creole, such as we have endeavored to paint it,
some other facts which we will now expose, will cause to be comprehended,
we hope, the sudden frenzied passion of the notary for this seductive and
dangerous creature.
Although Jacques Ferrand was never to obtain the object of his wishes, the
Creole was very careful not to deprive him of all hope; but the vague and
distant hopes which she rocked in the cradle of so many caprices were for
him only increased tortures, and riveted more solidly still the burning
chain he wore.
If any astonishment is felt that a man of such vigor and audacity had not
had recourse to cunning or violence to triumph over the calculated
resistance of Cecily, it must not be forgotten that Cecily was not a second
Louise.
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