“That is so.”

“I do not know, Dr. Legrand, whether you are fully aware of Monsieur Bruslart’s position and my own?”

“I think so, mademoiselle.  You were, I believe, to be man and wife.”

His suggestion that such a thing was now impossible was not lost upon Jeanne and was a little startling.  Did he believe that Lucien Bruslart was a scoundrel?

“Do you know that the fees paid to you by Lucien Bruslart are paid out of my money?”

“Officially I only know that they are paid by a certain person, and I ask no questions.  Having some knowledge of Monsieur Bruslart’s position, I have imagined that the necessary money was supplied by you.”

“I have only to authorize the banker who has funds of mine in hand to pay the amount.”

“Mademoiselle, I naturally thought of that.  All that was necessary was a form for your signature, so I called upon the banker.  I regret to tell you that he has no longer any funds of yours in hand.  The whole amount has been withdrawn.”

“By whom?”

Legrand shrugged his shoulders.

“I do not know.  If you wish me to make a guess, I should say by Lucien Bruslart.  You will know whether he had any document in his possession giving him such power.”

Jeanne knew that he had.  She had trusted him fully.  Even now she did not jump to the hasty conclusion that he had betrayed that trust.  There might be a dozen good reasons why he had withdrawn the money; to save it from being misappropriated by the State consequent on the banker’s possible arrest, or to spend carefully in arranging her escape.  It was probably an accident that the messenger had not arrived with the money this week, and in preparation for escape it was quite likely that Lucien might let it be understood that he had left Paris.  He would not be likely to confide in Monsieur Legrand.  He would certainly not desert her.

“Will you tell me the amount due for next week?” she asked.

The doctor took a paper from a drawer and handed it to her.  She uttered a sudden exclamation as she saw the amount.

“It is out of all reason,” she said.

“Mademoiselle, the security offered by this house may be said to be out of all reason too.”

“If this is paid, I remain a guest for another week?”

“Until next Saturday.”

Jeanne took her purse and counted out the money.  She had little left when it was done.

“Count it, Dr. Legrand, and give me the receipt.”

His eyes beamed as he counted and found the sum correct.

“I am happy again,” he said.  “So much may happen in a week.  I assure you, mademoiselle, your ability to pay lifts years from my shoulders.”

“Yes, monsieur, I have bought a long respite,” Jeanne said, rising as she took the receipt.  “I doubt not much will happen in a week.”

As she went out and closed the door, Legrand placed the money in a drawer which he locked.