Read "Baron Trigault's Vengeance" by Emile Gaboriau online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Stupefied with astonishment, M. Wilkie stood for a moment silent and motionless. "Allow me," he faltered at last; "Allow me -- I wish to explain. " But Madame d'Argeles did not even turn her head; the door closed behind her and he was left alone.
However strong a man's nature may be, he always has certain moments of weakness. For instance, at the present moment Wilkie was completely at a loss what to do. Not that he repented, he was incapable of that; but there are hours when the most hardened conscience is touched, and when long dormant instincts at last assert their rights. If he had obeyed his first impulse, he would have darted after his mother and thrown himself on his knees before her. But reflection, remembrance of the Viscount de Coralth, and the Marquis de Valorsay, made him silent the noblest voice that had spoken in his soul for many a long day. So, with his head proudly erect, he went off, twirling his mustaches and followed by the whispers of the servants -- whispers which were ready to change into hisses at any moment.