dertaking anything, before deciding upon
anything, if ever I felt any doubt, I asked myself, 'What would he do?'
And the mere thought of him is sufficient to banish any unworthy idea
from my heart." Her tone and manner betokened complete and unwavering
confidence; and her faith imparted an almost sublime expression to her
face. "If I was overcome, monsieur," she continued, "it was only because
I was appalled by the audacity of the accusation. How was it possible to
make Pascal even SEEM to be guilty of a dishonorable act? This is beyond
my powers of comprehension. I am only certain of one thing--that he is
innocent. If the whole world rose to testify against him, it would not
shake my faith in him, and even if he confessed that he was guilty I
should be more likely to believe that he was crazed than culpable!"

A bitter smile curved her lips, she was beginning to judge the situation
more correctly, and in a calmer tone she resumed: "Moreover, what does
circumstantial evidence prove? Did you not this morning hear all our
servants declaring that I was accountable for M. de Chalusse's
millions? Who knows what might have happened if it had not been for your
intervention? Perhaps, by this time, I should have been in prison."

"This is not a parallel case, my child."

"It IS a parallel case, monsieur. Suppose, for one moment, that I had
been formally accused--what do you think Pascal would have replied if
people had gone to him, and said, 'Marguerite is a thief?' He would have
laughed them to scorn, and have exclaimed, 'Impossible!"'

The magistrate's mind was made up. In his opinion, Pascal Ferailleur was
guilty. Still it was useless to argue with the girl, for he felt that he
should not be able to convince her. However, he determined, if possible,
to ascertain her plans in order to oppose them, if they seemed to him at
all dangerous. "Perhaps you are right, my child," he conceded, "still,
this unfortunate affair must change all your arrangements."

"Rather, it modifies them." Surprised by her calmness, he looked at her
inquiringly. "An hour ago," she added, "I had resolved to go to Pascal
and claim his aid and protection as one claims an undeniable right or
the fulfilment of a solemn promise; but now--"

"Well?" eagerly asked the magistrate.

"I am still resolved to go to him--but as an humble suppliant. And I
shall say to him, 'You are suffering, but no sorrow is intolerable when
there are two to bear the burden; and