Serge, behind his shelter, shuddered.  Madame Desvarennes’s words were clear.  She knew all.

Jeanne’s voice was indignant when she replied: 

“By what right do you insult me by such a suspicion?”

“By the right which you have given me in not keeping to your bargain.  You ought to have kept out of the way, and I find you here, seeking danger and already trying those flirtations which are the forerunners of sin, and familiarizing yourself with evil before wholly giving yourself up to it.”

“Madame!” cried Jeanne, passionately.

“Answer!  Have you kept the promise you made me?”

“Have the hopes which you held out to me been realized?” replied Jeanne, with despair.  “For six months I have been away, and have I found peace of mind and heart?  The duty which you pointed out to me as a remedy for the pain which tortured me I have fruitlessly followed.  I have wept, hoping that the trouble within me would be washed away with my tears.  I have prayed to Heaven, and asked that I might love my husband.  But, no!  That man is as odious to me as ever.  Now I have lost all my illusions, and find myself joined to him for the rest of my days!  I have to tell lies, to wear a mask, to smile!  It is revolting, and I suffer!  Now that you know what is passing within me, judge, and say whether your reproaches are not a useless cruelty.”

On hearing Jeanne, Madame Desvarennes felt herself moved with deep pity.  She asked herself whether it was not unjust for that poor child to suffer so much.  She had never done anything wrong, and her conduct was worthy of esteem.

“Unhappy woman!” she said.

“Yes, unhappy, indeed,” resumed Jeanne, “because I have nothing to cling to, nothing to sustain me.  My mind is afflicted with feverish thoughts, my heart made desolate with bitter regrets.  My will alone protects me, and in a moment of weakness it may betray me.”

“You still love him?” asked Madame Desvarennes, in a deep voice which made Serge quiver.

“Do I know?  There are times when I think I hate him.  What I have endured since I have been here is incredible!  Everything galls me, irritates me.  My husband is blind, Micheline unsuspicious, and Serge smiles quietly, as if he were preparing some treachery.  Jealousy, anger, contempt, are all conflicting within me.  I feel that I ought to go away, and still I feel a, horrible delight in remaining.”

“Poor child!” said Madame Desvarennes.  “I pity you from my soul.  Forgive my unjust words; you have done all in your power.  You have had momentary weaknesses like all human beings.  You must be helped, and may rely on me.  I will speak to your husband to-morrow; he shall take you away.  Lacking happiness, you must have peace.  Go you are a brave heart, and if Heaven be just, you will be rewarded.”

Serge heard the sound of a kiss.  In an embrace, the mother had blessed her adopted daughter.  Then the Prince saw Madame Desvarennes go slowly past him.  And the silence was broken only by the sobs of Jeanne who was half lying on the sofa in the darkness.