Should he put this aside? He was young; there were long years before
him. He had suffered half the span of a man's life; need he suffer
longer?
He opened the letter and read it once again.
"_To Monsieur le Marquis de Perigny: A necromancer in the Rue Dauphin
tells me that I shall not outlive you, which is to be regretted.
Therefore, my honored Marquis, I leave you this peculiar legacy. When
you married the Princess Charlotte it was not because you loved her,
but because you hated me who loved her. You laughed when I swore to
you that some day I would have my revenge. Shortly after you were
married a trusted servant of mine left my house to serve me in yours.
And he served me well indeed, as presently you shall learn. Two days
before Madame le Marquise gave birth to your son and heir, a certain
handsome peasant named Margot Bourdaloue also entered into the world a
son of yours which was not your heir. Think you that it is Madame la
Marquise's son who ruffles it here in Paris under the name of the
Chevalier du Cevennes? I leave you to answer this question, to solve
this puzzle, or become mad over it. Recollect, I do not say that the
Chevalier is not the son of Madame la Marquise; I say, think you he is?
Monsieur, believe me, you have my heartiest sympathy in your trouble_.
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