He spoke to me of this sad story, in a way which I now seek in vain to explain, unless--" The count stopped short, as if his reason had been struck by the improbability of the supposition which he had formed.
"Unless!--" inquired the magistrate eagerly.
"Sir," said the count, without replying directly, "Albert is a hero, if he is not guilty." "Ah!" said the magistrate quickly, "have you, then, reason to think him innocent ?" M.Daburon's spite was so plainly visible in the tone of his words that M.de Commarin could and ought to have seen the semblance of an insult.
He started, evidently offended, and rising, said: "I am now no more a witness for, than I was a moment ago a witness against.

I desire only to render what assistance I can to justice, in accordance with my duty." "Confound it," said M.Daburon to himself, "here I have offended him now! Is this the way to do things, making mistake after mistake ?" "The facts are these," resumed the count.

"Yesterday, after having spoken to me of these cursed letters, Albert began to set a trap to discover the truth,--for he still had doubts, Noel Gerdy not having obtained the complete correspondence.

An animated discussion arose between us.

He declared his resolution to give way to Noel.