y refusal gave rise to such unjustifiable reproaches on
his part, that from that hour I had my suspicions as to the soundness of
his mind. On the following day he left me, leaving me his house and
the free use of my own income, and he went to live in the Rue de la
Montagne-Sainte-Genevieve, taking with him my two children----"

"One moment, madame," said the lawyer, interrupting her. "What was that
income?"

"Twenty-six thousand francs a year," she replied parenthetically. "I
at once consulted old M. Bordin as to what I ought to do," she went
on; "but it seems that there are so many difficulties in the way of
depriving a father of the care of his children, that I was forced to
resign myself to remaining alone at the age of twenty-two--an age
at which many young women do very foolish things. You have read my
petition, no doubt, monsieur; you know the principal facts on which I
rely to procure a Commission in Lunacy with regard to M. d'Espard?"

"Have you ever applied to him, madame, to obtain the care of your
children?"

"Yes, monsieur; but in vain. It is very hard on a mother to be deprived
of the affection of her children, particularly when they can give her
such happiness as every woman clings to."

"The elder must be sixteen," said Popinot.

"Fifteen," said the Marquise eagerly.

Here Bianchon and Rastignac looked at each other. Madame d'Espard bit
her lips.

"What can the age of my children matter to you?"

"Well, madame," said the lawyer, without seeming to attach any
importance to his words, "a lad of fifteen and his brother, of thirteen,
I suppose, have legs and their wits about them; they might come to see
you on the sly. If they do not, it is because they obey their father,
and to obey him in that matter they must love him very dearly."

"I do not understand," said the Marquise.

"You do not know, perhaps," replied Popinot, "that in your petition
your attorney represents your children as being very unhappy with their
father?"

Madame d'Espard replied with charming innocence:

"I do not know what my attorney may have put into my mouth."

"Forgive my inferences," said Popinot, "but Justice weighs everything.
What I ask you, madame, is suggested by my wish thoroughly to understand
the matter. By your account M. d'Espard deserted you on the most
frivolous pretext. Instead of going to Briancon, where he wished to take
you, he remained in Paris. This point is not clear. Did he know this
Madame Jeanr