“Nothing,” continued he, “no, nothing, can approach to what I then endured.  My very heartstrings were bound up in that woman.  She was like a part of myself.  In separating from her, it seemed to me that I was tearing away a part of my own flesh.  I cannot describe the furious passions her memory stirred within me.  I scorned her and longed for her with equal vehemence.  I hated her, and I loved her.  And, to this day, her detestable image has been ever present to my imagination.  Nothing can make me forget her.  I have never consoled myself for her loss.  And that is not all, terrible doubts about Albert occurred to me.  Was I really his father?  Can you understand what my punishment was, when I thought to myself, ’I have perhaps sacrificed my own son to the child of an utter stranger.’  This thought made me hate the bastard who called himself Commarin.  To my great affection for him succeeded an unconquerable aversion.  How often, in those days I struggled against an insane desire to kill him!  Since then, I have learned to subdue my aversion; but I have never completely mastered it.  Albert, sir, has been the best of sons.  Nevertheless, there has always been an icy barrier between us, which he was unable to explain.  I have often been on the point of appealing to the tribunals, of avowing all, of reclaiming my legitimate heir; but regard for my rank has prevented me.  I recoiled before the scandal.  I feared the ridicule or disgrace that would attach to my name; and yet I have not been able to save it from infamy.”

The old nobleman remained silent, after pronouncing these words.  In a fit of despair, he buried his face in his hands, and two great tears rolled silently down his wrinkled cheeks.

In the meantime, the door of the room opened slightly, and the tall clerk’s head appeared.

M. Daburon signed to him to enter, and then addressing M. de Commarin, he said in a voice rendered more gentle by compassion:  “Sir, in the eyes of heaven, as in the eyes of society, you have committed a great sin; and the results, as you see, are most disastrous.  It is your duty to repair the evil consequences of your sin as much as lies in your power.”

“Such is my intention, sir, and, may I say so? my dearest wish.”

“You doubtless understand me,” continued M. Daburon.

“Yes, sir,” replied the old man, “yes, I understand you.”

“It will be a consolation to you,” added the magistrate, “to learn that M. Noel Gerdy is worthy in all respects of the high position that you are about to restore to him.  He is a man of great talent, better and worthier than any one I know.  You will have a son worthy of his ancestors.  And finally, no one of your family has disgraced it, sir, for Viscount Albert is not a Commarin.”

“No,” rejoined the count quickly, “a Commarin would be dead at this hour; and blood washes all away.”

The old nobleman’s remark set the investigating magistrate thinking profoundly.