in the
hospital, and what, indeed, will become of my children? The neighbours
went for the commissary, who came. I didn't like to denounce Duport, but
I was obliged, in consequence of my daughter; only I said that in our
quarrel about our daughter he had pushed me, that it was nothing, but I
wanted my daughter Catherine because I feared the bad woman with whom my
husband lived would be the ruin of her."

"Well, and what did the commissary say?"

"Why, that my husband had a right to take away his daughter, as we were
not separated; that it would be a misfortune if my daughter turned out
badly from evil counsels, but that they were only suppositions, after
all, and that was not sufficient for a complaint against my husband.
'You have but one way--plead in the courts, demand a separation--and
then the beatings your husband has given you, his behaviour with a vile
woman, will be in your favour, and they will force him to restore your
daughter to you; but, otherwise, he has a right to keep her with him.'
'But how can I plead when I have my children to feed?' 'What can be
done?' said the clerk; 'that's the only way!'" and poor Jeanne sobbed
bitterly, adding, "And he is right--that is the only way! And so, in
three months, my daughter may be walking the streets, whilst if I could
plead and be separated it would not happen. Alas, poor Catherine, so
gentle and so affectionate!"

"Oh, you have, indeed, a bitter sorrow; and yet I was complaining!" said
La Lorraine, drying her eyes. "And your other children?"

"Why, on their account, I did all I could to bear the pains I was
suffering, and not go to the hospital; but I could not go on. I vomited
blood three or four times a day, and a fever took away the use of my
arms and legs, and I was at last unable to work. If I am quickly cured I
may return to my children, if they are not first dead from hunger or
locked up as beggars. Who will maintain them whilst I am here?"

"Oh, it is very terrible! Have you no kind neighbours?"

"They are as poor as myself, and have five children already. It is very
hard, but they promised to do a little something for them for a week;
that is all they could do. And so, cured or not cured, I must go out in
a week."

"But your friend, Mademoiselle Rigolette?"

"Unfortunately, she is in the country, and going to be married, the
porter said. No, I must be cured in eight days; and I asked all the
doctors who spoke to me yesterday, but they laughed as