Zelie nearly fainted; when she recovered her senses she confessed everything.  After proving to her that she was in point of fact an accomplice, the magistrate told her that if she did not wish to injure either son or husband she must behave with the utmost prudence.

“You have now to do with me as an individual, not as a magistrate,” he said.  “No complaint has been lodged by the victim, nor has any publicity been given to the theft.  But your husband has committed a great crime, which may be brought before a judge less inclined than myself to be considerate.  In the present state of the affair I am obliged to make you a prisoner—­oh, in my own house, on parole,” he added, seeing that Zelie was about to faint.  “You must remember that my official duty would require me to issue a warrant at once and begin an examination; but I am acting now individually, as guardian of Mademoiselle Ursula Mirouet, and her best interests demand a compromise.”

“Ah!” exclaimed Zelie.

“Write to your husband in the following words,” he continued, placing Zelie at his desk and proceeding to dictate the letter:—­

“My Friend,—­I am arrested, and I have told all.  Return the certificates which uncle left to Monsieur de Portenduere in the will which you burned; for the procureur du roi has stopped payment at the Treasury.”

“You will thus save him from the denials he would otherwise attempt to make,” said the magistrate, smiling at Zelie’s orthography.  “We will see that the restitution is properly made.  My wife will make your stay in our house as agreeable as possible.  I advise you to say nothing of the matter and not to appear anxious or unhappy.”

Now that Zelie had confessed and was safely immured, the magistrate sent for Desire, told him all the particulars of his father’s theft, which was really to Ursula’s injury, but, as matters stood, legally to that of his co-heirs, and showed him the letter written by his mother.  Desire at once asked to be allowed to go to Nemours and see that his father made immediate restitution.

“It is a very serious matter,” said the magistrate.  “The will having been destroyed, if the matter gets wind, the co-heirs, Massin and Cremiere may put in a claim.  I have proof enough against your father.  I will release your mother, for I think the little ceremony that has already taken place has been sufficient warning as to her duty.  To her, I will seem to have yielded to your entreaties in releasing her.  Take her with you to Nemours, and manage the whole matter as best you can.  Don’t fear any one.  Monsieur Bongrand loves Ursula Mirouet too well to let the matter become known.”

Zelie and Desire started soon after for Nemours.  Three hours later the procureur du roi received by a mounted messenger the following letter, the orthography of which has been corrected so as not to bring ridicule on a man crushed by affliction.

To Monsieur le procureur du roi at Fontainebleau: