that month, distressed by Pierrette's horrible sufferings, Monsieur
Martener made several journeys to Paris; there he consulted Desplein and
Bianchon, and even went so far as to propose to them an operation of the
nature of lithotrity, which consists in passing into the head a hollow
instrument by the help of which an heroic remedy can be applied to
the diseased bone, to arrest the progress of the caries. Even the bold
Desplein dared not attempt that high-handed surgical measure, which
despair alone had suggested to Martener. When he returned home from
Paris he seemed to his friends morose and gloomy. He was forced to
announce on that fatal evening to the Auffrays and Madame Lorrain and to
the two priests and Brigaut that science could do no more for Pierrette,
whose recovery was now in God's hands only. The consternation among them
was terrible. The grandmother made a vow, and requested the priests to
say a mass every morning at daybreak before Pierrette rose,--a mass at
which she and Brigaut might be present.

The trial came on. While the victim lay dying, Vinet was calumniating
her in court. The judge approved and accepted the report of the Family
Council, and Vinet instantly appealed. The newly appointed _procureur
du roi_ made a requisition which necessitated fresh evidence. Rogron and
his sister were forced to give bail to avoid going to prison. The order
for fresh evidence included that of Pierrette herself. When Monsieur
Desfondrilles came to the Auffrays' to receive it, Pierrette was dying,
her confessor was at her bedside about to administer extreme unction.
At that moment she entreated all present to forgive her cousins as
she herself forgave them, saying with her simple good sense that the
judgment of these things belonged to God alone.

"Grandmother," she said, "leave all you have to Brigaut" (Brigaut burst
into tears); "and," continued Pierrette, "give a thousand francs to that
kind Adele who warmed my bed. If Adele had remained with my cousins I
should not now be dying."

It was at three o'clock on the Tuesday of Easter week, on a beautiful,
bright day, that the angel ceased to suffer. Her heroic grandmother
wished to watch all that night with the priests, and to sew with her
stiff old fingers her darling's shroud. Towards evening Brigaut left the
Auffray's house and went to Frappier's.

"I need not ask you, my poor boy, for news," said the cabinet-maker.

"Pere Frappier, yes, it is ended for her--bu