“But, dear father, why did you give me no sign of life? Why did you stay
away so long?”
The marquis was not unprepared for such a question. But how could he
answer it? Could he ever tell Jacques the true secret of his hesitation?
Turning his eyes aside, he answered,--
“I hoped I should be able to serve you better by remaining in Paris.”
But his embarrassment was too evident to escape Jacques.
“You did not doubt your own child, father?” he asked sadly.
“Never!” cried the marquis, “I never doubted a moment. Ask your mother,
and she will tell you that it was this proud assurance I felt which kept
me from coming down with her. When I heard of what they accused you, I
said ‘It is absurd!’”