Everything seemed to favour the projects of these last two persons, who took an interest in the event of a very different character from that generally felt.  As the pains produced no result, and the accouchement was of the most difficult nature, while the countess was near the last extremity, expresses were sent to all the neighbouring parishes to offer prayers for the mother and the child; the Holy Sacrament was elevated in the churches at Moulins.

The midwife attended to everything herself.  She maintained that the countess would be more comfortable if her slightest desires were instantly complied with.  The countess herself never spoke a word, only interrupting the gloomy silence by heart-rending cries.  All at once, Madame de Boulle, who affected to be bustling about, pointed out that the presence of so many persons was what hindered the countess’s accouchement, and, assuming an air of authority justified by fictitious tenderness, said that everyone must retire, leaving the patient in the hands of the persons who were absolutely necessary to her, and that, to remove any possible objections, the countess dowager her mother must set the example.  The opportunity was made use of to remove the count from this harrowing spectacle, and everyone followed the countess dowager.  Even the countess’s own maids were not allowed to remain, being sent on errands which kept them out of the way.  This further reason was given, that the eldest being scarcely fifteen, they were too young to be present on such an occasion.  The only persons remaining by the bedside were the Marchioness de Bouille, the midwife, and the two Quinet girls; the countess was thus in the hands of her most cruel enemies.

It was seven o’clock in the evening; the labours continued; the elder Quinet girl held the patient by the hand to soothe her.  The count and the dowager sent incessantly to know the news.  They were told that everything was going on well, and that shortly their wishes would be accomplished; but none of the servants were allowed to enter the room.

Three hours later, the midwife declared that the countess could not hold out any longer unless she got some rest.  She made her swallow a liquor which was introduced into her mouth by spoonfuls.  The countess fell into so deep a sleep that she seemed to be dead.  The younger Quinet girl thought for a moment that they had killed her, and wept in a corner of the room, till Madame de Bouille reassured her.

During this frightful night a shadowy figure prowled in the corridors, silently patrolled the rooms, and came now and then to the door of the bedroom, where he conferred in a low tone with the midwife and the Marchioness de Bouille.  This was the Marquis de Saint-Maixent, who gave his orders, encouraged his people, watched over every point of his plot, himself a prey to the agonies of nervousness which accompany the preparations for a great crime.

The dowager countess, owing to her great age, had been compelled to take some rest.  The count sat up, worn out with fatigue, in a downstairs room hard by that in which they were compassing the ruin of all most dear to him in the world.