That he but sought to murder him to the end that he might be removed from his path to Valerie, was a circumstance that need not too prominently be presented.

Still, presented it must be, for Florimond would require to know by what motive his brother was impelled ere he could credit him capable of such villainy.
Succinctly, but tellingly, Garnache brought out the story of the plot that had been laid for Florimond's assassination, and it joyed him to see the anger rising in the Marquis's face and flashing from his eyes.
"What reason have they for so damnable a deed ?" he cried, between incredulity and indignation.
"Their overweening ambition.

Marius covets Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye's estates." "And to gain his ends he would not stop at murdering me?
Is it, indeed, the truth you tell me ?" "I pledge my honour for the truth of it," answered Garnache, watching him closely.

Florimond looked at him a moment.

The steady glance of those blue eyes and the steady tone of that crisp voice scattered his last doubt.
"The villains!" cried the Marquis.