“You should understand,” she said with a little more calmness—­for, since he permitted her to speak, she hoped to convince him—­“that I have done all I could to bring Madame Dammauville to the idea of calling, in consultation with Monsieur Balzajette, a doctor—­”

“Which would be myself.”

“You or another; I have not mentioned any name.  You should not think me awkward enough to put you forward clumsily; it would not be a good way to make you acceptable to an intelligent woman, and I value your dignity too much to lower it.  I believed that another doctor than Monsieur Balzajette would find a remedy, some way, a miracle if you will, to enable Madame Dammauville to go to the Palais de justice, and I said it.  I said it in every tone, in every way, with as much persuasion as I could put in my words.  Was it not the life of my brother that I defended, our honor?  At first, I found Madame Dammauville much opposed to this idea.  She would be better soon, she felt it.  Otherwise, if it were her duty to be carried to the Palais de justice, she would not hesitate.”

“She would do that?”

“Assuredly.  No one has a stronger sense of justice.  She would feel guilty did she not give her testimony to save an innocent person; not to save him when she could would be to take the responsibility of his loss.  It is therefore certain that if she cannot go to court alone, she will do all she can to go, no matter how—­on M. Balzajette’s arm, or on a stretcher.  I was, then, easy enough on this side, but I was not for the stretcher.  What would people think to see her in this condition?  What impression would she make on the jury?  Would not her appearance weaken the value of her testimony?  As Madame Dammauville is fond of me, and very kind to me, I determined to profit by this kindness to urge a consultation, but without mentioning any name.  I represented to her that, since M. Balzajette might say with every appearance of truth he had cured her, he should not be angry if she desired to ratify this cure.  That besides, there was an imperative motive that would not permit her to wait, for it would be very disagreeable to her to present herself at the court of assizes in a theatrical way, which was not at all according to her character or habits.  I easily discovered that the fear of giving pain to this old friend of her husband was the chief reason why she was opposed to this consultation.  It was then that your name was pronounced.”

“You acknowledge it, then?”

“You will see how, and you will not be angry about it.  I have often spoken to Madame Dammauville of mamma, and, consequently, of how you cured her paralysis, that resembled hers.  It was not wrong, was it, to say what you have done for us?  And without letting any one suspect my love, I could praise you, which my gratitude prompted.  She asked me many questions, and naturally, as usual when I speak of you, when I have the joy of pronouncing your name, I answered in detail.  That is not a crime?”