It was necessary that she should speak.

Jeanne was the sole witness, and if the truth had to be got by main force she should be made to speak it.
"Ah, forgive me!" moaned the young girl.
"It is not a question of that! In one word, answer me: Does he love you ?" "Do I know ?" "Did he tell you he did ?" "Yes." "And he has married Micheline!" exclaimed Madame Desvarennes, with a fearful gesture.

"I distrusted him.

Why did I not obey my instinct ?" And she began walking about like a lioness in a cage.

Then, suddenly stopping and placing herself before Jeanne, she continued: "You must help me to save Micheline!" She thought only of her own flesh and blood.