Without hesitation, unconsciously, she abandoned the other--the child of adoption.

She claimed the safety of her daughter as a debt.
"What has she to fear ?" asked Jeanne, bitterly.

"She triumphs, as she is his wife." "If he were to abandon her," said the mother with anguish.

Then, reflecting: "Still, he has sworn to me that he loved her." "He lied!" cried Jeanne, with rage.

"He wanted Micheline for her fortune!" "But why that ?" inquired Madame Desvarennes, menacingly.