res for six months,
when I had hoped to conquer in a few weeks. Menard was always followed
by the applause of the people on leaving the court; and it appeared
that I wasted my energies in rendering his victory more difficult, only
to increase his laurels.

The beauty of the accused had gained for her party all the young men of
the town, and her former beneficence engaged for her the poorer class
of the people. I had to contend against Menard, against the secret
predilection of innumerable hearts prejudiced in her favour, and the
remembrance of the virtues which Madame Bertollon had once displayed.

The more, however, my cause seemed hopeless, the more my courage rose.
An unusual energy animated me, and Menard himself began to respect or
fear me the more I drove him back from his first conquests. His party
diminished in proportion, as he was forced to acknowledge the truth of
facts which he had before rendered doubtful and uncertain. Soon I
heard my praise in public; soon a small number of partisans surrounded
me: soon the applause of the people was increased, the more Madame
Bertollon appeared guilty, and her beauty and virtues were eclipsed and
darkened by the remembrance of so black a deed.

Pleasing as this incense was to me, it delighted me less than
Clementine's quiet approval. Madame Bertollon was related to the
family De Sonnes. When it was known that I undertook Bertollon's
cause, Clementine often appeared at the window shaking her head sadly,
and making menacing signs. I thought I understood her, and shrugged my
shoulders, but was not deterred from performing a duty so sacred.

As my name became more known and lauded in Montpellier, she became more
friendly. She appeared to forget her relationship to Madame Bertollon
in my success. Yes! I saw myself loved by the angel I adored. No
mortal could be happier than I. Our dumb correspondence had now lasted
for years.

But I turn to that fatal trial which now took the most serious turn for
the accused. Madame Bertollon seeing every fact and witness in league
against her, could do nothing but strongly deny her intention of
poisoning her husband, though appearances rendered her guilty. I now
insisted on interrogating her more closely respecting her object in
buying the poison a week previous to the deed. To this she gave
evasive answers, and entangled herself in contradictions. It was
evident that she feared discovering the reason. All the entreati