The Marquis de Boiscoran had not been mistaken about M. Magloire. Much
shaken by Dionysia’s statement, he had been completely overcome by M.
Folgat’s explanations; and, when he now came to the jail, it was with a
determination to prove Jacques’s innocence.
“But I doubt very much whether he will ever forgive me for my
incredulity,” he said to M. Folgat while they were waiting for the
prisoner in his cell.
Jacques came in, still deeply moved by the scene with his father. M.
Magloire went up to him, and said,--
“I have never been able to conceal my thoughts, Jacques. When I thought
you guilty, and felt sure that you accused the Countess Claudieuse
falsely, I told you so with almost brutal candor. I have since found out
my error, and am now convinced of the truth of your statement: so I come
and tell you as frankly, Jacques, I was wrong to have had more faith in
the reputation of a woman than in the words of a friend. Will you give
me your hand?”