"
"This is not a parallel case, my child."
"It IS a parallel case, monsieur. Suppose, for one moment, that I
had been formally accused--what do you think Pascal would have
replied if people had gone to him, and said, 'Marguerite is a
thief?' He would have laughed them to scorn, and have exclaimed,
'Impossible!"'
The magistrate's mind was made up. In his opinion, Pascal
Ferailleur was guilty. Still it was useless to argue with the
girl, for he felt that he should not be able to convince her.
However, he determined, if possible, to ascertain her plans in
order to oppose them, if they seemed to him at all dangerous.
"Perhaps you are right, my child," he conceded, "still, this
unfortunate affair must change all your arrangements."
"Rather, it modifies them." Surprised by her calmness, he looked
at her inquiringly. "An hour ago," she added, "I had resolved to
go to Pascal and claim his aid and protection as one claims an
undeniable right or the fulfilment of a solemn promise; but now--"
"Well?" eagerly asked the magistrate.
"I am still resolved to go to him--but as an humble suppliant.
And I shall say to him, 'You are suffering, but no sorrow is
intolerable when there are two to bear the burden; and so, here I
am. Everything else may fail you--your dearest friends may basely
desert you; but here am I. Whatever your plans may be--whether
you have decided to leave Europe or to remain in Paris to watch
for your hour of vengeance, you will need a faithful, trusty
companion--a confidant--and here I am! Wife, friend, sister--I
will be which ever you desire.
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