“That is to say, sir,” replied Claire bitterly, “that you doubt my word!”

“The circumstances are such, mademoiselle,—­”

“You accuse me, then, of falsehood, sir.  Know that, were we criminals, we should not descend to justifying ourselves; we should never pray nor ask for pardon.”

Mademoiselle d’Arlange’s haughty, contemptuous tone could only anger the magistrate.  How harshly she treated him!  And simply because he would not consent to be her dupe.

“Above all, mademoiselle,” he answered severely, “I am a magistrate; and I have a duty to perform.  A crime has been committed.  Everything points to M. Albert de Commarin as the guilty man.  I arrest him; I examine him; and I find overwhelming proofs against him.  You come and tell me that they are false; that is not enough.  So long as you addressed me as a friend, you found me kind and gentle.  Now it is the magistrate to whom you speak:  and it is the magistrate who answers, ‘Prove it.’”

“My word, sir,—­”

“Prove it!”

Mademoiselle d’Arlange rose slowly, casting upon the magistrate a look full of astonishment and suspicion.

“Would you, then, be glad, sir,” she asked, “to find Albert guilty?  Would it give you such great pleasure to have him convicted?  Do you then hate this prisoner, whose fate is in your hands?  One would almost think so.  Can you answer for your impartiality?  Do not certain memories weigh heavily in the scale?  Are you sure that you are not, armed with the law, revenging yourself upon a rival?”

“This is too much,” murmured the magistrate, “this is too much!”

“Do you know the unusual, the dangerous position we are in at this moment?  One day, I remember, you declared your love for me.  It appeared to me sincere and honest; it touched me.  I was obliged to refuse you, because I loved another; and I pitied you.  Now that other is accused of murder, and you are his judge; and I find myself between you two, praying to you for him.  In undertaking the investigation you acquired an opportunity to help him; and yet you seem to be against him.”

Every word Claire uttered fell upon M. Daburon’s heart like a slap on his face.  Was it really she who was speaking?  Whence came this sudden boldness, which made her choose all those words which found an echo in his heart?

“Mademoiselle,” said he, “your grief has been too much for you.  From you alone could I pardon what you have just said.  Your ignorance of things makes you unjust.  If you think that Albert’s fate depends upon my pleasure, you are mistaken.  To convince me is nothing; it is necessary to convince others.  That I should believe you is all very natural, I know you.  But what weight will others attach to your testimony, when you go to them with a true story—­most true, I believe, but yet highly improbable?”

Tears came into Claire’s eyes.

“If I have unjustly offended you, sir,” said she, “pardon me; my unhappiness makes me forget myself.”