"I was almost convinced; but I had not received a formal assurance of it.

All the letters that I read spoke distinctly of your purpose, detailed your plan minutely; but not one pointed to, or in any way confirmed, the execution of your project." The count gazed at his son with a look of intense surprise.

He recollected distinctly all the letters; and he could remember, that, in writing to Valerie, he had over and over again rejoiced at their success, thanking her for having acted in accordance with his wishes.
"You did not go to the end of them, then, viscount," he said, "you did not read them all ?" "Every line, sir, and with an attention that you may well understand.
The last letter shown me simply announced to Madame Gerdy the arrival of Claudine Lerouge, the nurse who was charged with accomplishing the substitution.

I know nothing beyond that." "These proofs amount to nothing," muttered the count.

"A man may form a plan, cherish it for a long time, and at the last moment abandon it; it often happens so." He reproached himself for having answered so hastily.