Adrienne had listened to the preceding discussion with deep attention.  Suddenly she started, as if struck by a sudden revelation.

After a moment’s silence, she said to Rodin, without anger, without bitterness, but with an expression of gentle and serene calmness:  “We are told, sir, that happy love works miracles.  I should be tempted to believe it; for, after some minutes’ reflection, and when I recall certain circumstances, your conduct appears to me in quite a new light.”

“And what may this new perspective be, my dear young lady?”

“That you may see it from my point of view, sir, allow me to remind you of a few facts.  That sewing-girl was generously devoted to me; she had given me unquestionable proofs of her attachment.  Her mind was equal to her noble heart; but she had an invincible dislike to you.  All on a sudden she disappears mysteriously from my house, and you do your best to cast upon her odious suspicions.  M. de Montbron has a paternal affection for me; but, as I must confess, little sympathy for you; and you have always tried to produce a coldness between us.  Finally, Prince Djalma has a deep affection for me, and you employ the most perfidious treachery to kill that sentiment within him.  For what end do you act thus?  I do not know; but certainly with some hostile design.”

“It appears to me, madame,” said Rodin, severely, “that you have forgotten services performed.”

“I do not deny, sir, that you took me from the house of Dr. Baleinier; but, a few days sooner or later, I must infallibly have been released by M. de Montbron.”

“You are right, my dear child,” said the count; “it may be that your enemies wished to claim the merit of what must necessarily have happened through the exertions of your friends.”

“You are drowning, and I save you—­it is all a mistake to feel grateful,” said Rodin, bitterly; “some one else would no doubt have saved you a little later.”

“The comparison is wanting in exactness,” said Adrienne, with a smile; “a lunatic asylum is not a river, and though, from what I see, I think you quite capable of diving, you have had no occasion to swim on this occasion.  You merely opened a door for me, which would have opened of itself a little later.”

“Very good, my dear child!” said the count, laughing heartily at Adrienne’s reply.

“I know, sir, that your care did not extend to me only.  The daughters of Marshal Simon were brought back by you; but we may imagine that the claim of the Duke de Ligny to the possession of his daughters would not have been in vain.  You returned to an old soldier his imperial cross, which he held to be a sacred relic; it is a very touching incident.  Finally, you unmasked the Abbe d’Aigrigny and Dr. Baleinier:  but I had already made up my mind to unmask then.  However, all this proves that you are a very clever man—­”

“Oh, madame!” said Rodin, humbly.