g myself by telling you that the
sum may possibly be recovered," said Jacques Collin, making the judge
understand that he saw his suspicions. "That poor girl was much loved
by those about her; and if I were free, I would undertake to search
for this money, which no doubt belongs to the being I love best in the
world--to Lucien!--Will you allow me to read that letter; it will not
take long? It is evidence of my dear boy's innocence--you cannot
fear that I shall destroy it--nor that I shall talk about it; I am in
solitary confinement."

"In confinement! You will be so no longer," cried the magistrate. "It
is I who must beg you to get well as soon as possible. Refer to your
ambassador if you choose----"

And he handed the letter to Jacques Collin. Camusot was glad to be out
of a difficulty, to be able to satisfy the public prosecutor, Mesdames
de Maufrigneuse and de Serizy. Nevertheless, he studied his prisoner's
face with cold curiosity while Collin read Esther's letter; in spite
of the apparent genuineness of the feelings it expressed, he said to
himself:

"But it is a face worthy of the hulks, all the same!"

"That is the way to love!" said Jacques Collin, returning the letter.
And he showed Camusot a face bathed in tears.

"If only you knew him," he went on, "so youthful, so innocent a soul, so
splendidly handsome, a child, a poet!--The impulse to sacrifice oneself
to him is irresistible, to satisfy his lightest wish. That dear boy is
so fascinating when he chooses----"

"And so," said the magistrate, making a final effort to discover the
truth, "you cannot possibly be Jacques Collin----"

"No, monsieur," replied the convict.

And Jacques Collin was more entirely Don Carlos Herrera than ever. In
his anxiety to complete his work he went up to the judge, led him to the
window, and gave himself the airs of a prince of the Church, assuming a
confidential tone:

"I am so fond of that boy, monsieur, that if it were needful, to spare
that idol of my heart a mere discomfort even, that I should be the
criminal you take me for, I would surrender," said he in an undertone.
"I would follow the example of the poor girl who has killed herself for
his benefit. And I beg you, monsieur, to grant me a favor--namely, to
set Lucien at liberty forthwith."

"My duty forbids it," said Camusot very good-naturedly; "but if a sinner
may make a compromise with heaven, justice too has its softer side, and
if you can give me sufficien