She loved me, this poor woman who had given me her milk, she suffered from the knowledge of the injustice that had been done me.

Must I say it, her complicity in the matter weighed upon her conscience; it was a remorse too great for her old age.

I saw her, I interrogated her, and she told me all.

The count's scheme, simply and yet ingeniously conceived, succeeded without any effort.

Three days after my birth, the crime was committed, and I, poor, helpless infant, was betrayed, despoiled and disinherited by my natural protector, by my own father! Poor Claudine! She promised me her testimony for the day on which I should reclaim my rights!" "And she is gone, carrying her secret with her!" murmured the old fellow in a tone of regret.
"Perhaps!" replied Noel, "for I have yet one hope.