“You cannot deny the evidence,” said he. “I suppose you will also say
that it was not for this girl’s sake you ceased spending your evenings
at M. Fauvel’s?”
“I swear that she was not the cause of my ceasing to visit M. Fauvel’s
family.”
“Then why did you cease, suddenly, your attentions to a young lady whom
you confidently expected to marry, and whose hand you had written to
your father to demand for you?”
“I had reasons which I cannot reveal,” answered Prosper with emotion.
The judge breathed freely; at last he had discovered a vulnerable point
in the prisoner’s armor.
“Did Mlle. Madeleine banish you?”
Prosper was silent, and seemed agitated.
“Speak,” said M. Patrigent; “I must tell you that this circumstance is
one of the most important in your case.”
“Whatever the cost may be, on this subject I am compelled to keep
silence.”
“Beware of what you do; justice will not be satisfied with scruples of
conscience.”