expose me to committing a most deplorable
error, when it would have been so easy to have told me all this?"

"It seems to me, sir, that an honourable man cannot confess that he has
obtained a secret interview from a lady, until he has full permission
from her to do so. He ought to risk his life sooner than the honour of
her who has trusted in him; but be assured Albert relied on me."

There was nothing to reply to this; and the sentiments expressed by
Mademoiselle d'Arlange gave a meaning to one of Albert's replies in the
examination.

"This is not all yet, mademoiselle," continued the magistrate; "all that
you have told me here, you must repeat in my office, at the Palais de
Justice. My clerk will take down your testimony, and you must sign
it. This proceeding will be painful to you; but it is a necessary
formality."

"Ah, sir, I will do so with pleasure. What can I refuse, when I know
that he is in prison? I was determined to do everything. If he had
been tried at the assizes, I would have gone there. Yes, I would have
presented myself, and there before all I would have told the truth.
Doubtless," she added sadly, "I should have been greatly compromised. I
should have been looked upon as a heroine of romance; but what matters
public opinion, the blame or approval of the world, since I am sure of
his love?"

She rose from her seat, readjusting her cloak and the strings of her
bonnet.

"Is it necessary," she asked, "that I should await the return of the
police agents who are examining the wall?"

"It is needless, mademoiselle."

"Then," she continued in a sweet voice, "I can only beseech you," she
clasped her hands, "conjure you," her eyes implored, "to let Albert out
of prison."

"He shall be liberated as soon as possible; I give you my word."

"Oh, to-day, dear M. Daburon, to-day, I beg of you, now, at once! Since
he is innocent, be kind, for you are our friend. Do you wish me to go
down on my knees?"

The magistrate had only just time to extend his arms, and prevent her.

He was choking with emotion, the unhappy man! Ah! how much he envied the
prisoner's lot!

"That which you ask of me is impossible, mademoiselle," said he in
an almost inaudible voice, "impracticable, upon my honour. Ah! if it
depended upon me alone, I could not, even were he guilty, see you weep,
and resist."

Mademoiselle d'Arlange, hitherto so firm, could no longer restrain her
sobs.

"Miserable girl that I am!" she cried, "h