Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/258

234 understand that she was still deeply attached to Kehlmark.

At the first words, which the minister heard of the passional aberration on the part of his enemy, he feigned a sort of scandalised pain and professional commiseration. At bottom, he rejoiced! But how to make use of this lucky, well-timed scandal against the Count? There were no proofs, and even had there been, it would be necessary to publish the shame of the young Govaertz. The two allies agreed to wait for a suitable occasion. Who knows, perhaps they might succeed some day in turning the youth, who had been led astray, against his execrable undoer?

Meanwhile, the Dykgrave's popularity continued to diminish. Landrillon applied himself again, with some hope of success, to work upon those Klaarvatsch vagabonds, who had so long been the Count's chosen companions, the wildest of whom still remained in his service.

"How is it I never guessed all that sooner?" reflected Bomberg striking his head, after the departure of the informer. "Treble blockhead that I am! Everything should have warned me and given me intuition of