of the descent was argued from Melmotte’s skill in forgery.  But Marie, though she was thus isolated, and now altogether separated from the lords and duchesses who a few weeks since had been interested in her career, was the undoubted owner of the money,—­a fact which was beyond the comprehension of Madame Melmotte.  She could understand,—­and was delighted to understand,—­that a very large sum of money had been saved from the wreck, and that she might therefore look forward to prosperous tranquillity for the rest of her life.  Though she never acknowledged so much to herself, she soon learned to regard the removal of her husband as the end of her troubles.  But she could not comprehend why Marie should claim all the money as her own.  She declared herself to be...