I was petrified; for these words shewed me my danger in all its nakedness.  I saw how I should esteem this worthy man’s good offices, and said to him in quite another tone, that innocent as I was, I saw that my best course was to throw myself on his kindness respecting Mdlle.  X. C. V., who had committed no crime, but would lose her reputation by this unhappy business.

“I know where she is,” I added, “and I may tell you that she would never have left her mother if she had not endeavoured to force her into a marriage she abhorred”

“Well, but the man is now married; let her return to her mother’s house, and you will be safe, unless the midwife persists in maintaining that you incited her to procure abortion.”

“There is no abortion in the matter; but other reasons prevent her returning to her family.  I can tell you no more without obtaining the consent of another party.  If I succeed in doing so I shall be able to throw the desired light on the question.  Be kind enough to give me a second hearing on the day after to-morrow.”

“I understand.  I shall be delighted to hear what you have to say.  I thank and congratulate you.  Farewell!”

I was on the brink of the precipice, but I was determined to leave the kingdom rather than betray the honour of my poor dear sweetheart.  If it had been possible, I would gladly have put an end to the case with money; but it was too late.  I was sure that Farsetti had the chief hand in all this trouble, that he was continually on my track, and that he paid the spies mentioned by M. de Sartine.  He it was who had set Vauversin, the barrister, after me, and I had no doubt that he would do all in his power to ruin me.

I felt that my only course was to tell the whole story to M. de Sartine, but to do that I required Madame du Rumain’s permission.

CHAPTER IX

My Examination I Give the Clerk Three Hundred Louis—­The Midwife and Cartel-Bajac Imprisoned—­Mdlle.  X. C. V. Is Brought to Bed of a Son and Obliges Her Mother to Make Me Amends—­The Suit Against Me Is Quashed—­Mdlle.  X. C. V. Goes With Her Mother to Brussels and From Thence to Venice, Where She Becomes a Great Lady—­My Work-girls—­Madame Baret—­I Am Robbed, Put in Prison, and Set at Liberty Again—­I Go to Holland—­Helvetius’ “Esprit”—­Piccolomini

The day after my interview with M. de Sartine I waited on Madame du Rumain at an early hour.  Considering the urgency of the case I took the liberty of rousing her from her slumbers, and as soon as she was ready to receive me I told her all.

“There can be no hesitation in the matter,” said this delightful woman.  “We must make a confidant of M. de Sartine, and I will speak to him myself to-day without fail.”

Forthwith she went to her desk and wrote to the criminal lieutenant asking him to see her at three o’clock in the afternoon.  In less than an hour the servant returned with a note in which he said he would expect her.  We agreed that I should come again in the evening, when she would tell me the result of her interview.