.

CONFESSION.
Madame Desvarennes understood the situation at a glance.

She beheld Cayrol livid, tottering, and excited.

She felt Jeanne trembling on her breast; she saw something serious had occurred.

She calmed herself and put on a cold manner to enable her the better to suppress any resistance that they might offer.
"What is the matter ?" she asked, looking severely at Cayrol.
"Something quite unexpected," replied the banker, laughing nervously.
"Madame refuses to follow me." "And for what reason ?" she asked.
"She dare not speak!" Cayrol resumed, whose excitement increased as he spoke.