After all, he could be certain about that, as
no one but himself knew what the poison was and how it could be
used. The person who picked up the bottle would probably throw it
away again as useless; and then, again, perhaps when Kitty threw the
bottle away the stopper came out, and the contents would be lost.
And then Kitty still had more left, but--bah!--she would not use it
on Madame Midas. That was the vague threat of a jealous woman to
frighten him. The real danger he was in lay in the fact that she
might tell Madame Midas the relations between them, and then there
would be no chance of his marrying at all. If he could only stop
Kitty's mouth in some way--persuasion was thrown away on her. If he
could with safety get rid of her he would. Ah! that was an idea. He
had some of this poison--if he could only manage to give it to her,
and thus remove her from his path. There would be no risk of
discovery, as the poison left no traces behind, and if it came to
the worst, it would appear she had committed suicide, for poison
similar to what she had used would be found in her possession. It
was a pity to kill her, so young and pretty, and yet his safety
demanded it; for if she told Madame Midas all, it might lead to
further inquiries, and M. Vandeloup well knew his past life would
not bear looking into. Another thing, she had threatened him about
some secret she held--he did not know what it was, and yet almost
guessed; if that was the secret she must be got rid of, for it would
imperil not only his liberty, but his life.
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