They had remained there for hours, sure that if the grace they demanded were ever granted them they would be cognisant of it at once.

That for which they pleaded, that for which they hoped, was for another infant, a child of pardon, the only sign which would assure them that at last they themselves had been forgiven.

But all was in vain.

The cold, hard mother was deaf to all their entreaties, and left them under the inexorable punishment of the death of their firstborn, whom she had taken and carried away, and whom she refused to restore to them.
"I prayed there for a long time," repeated Hubertine.

"I listened eagerly to know if there would not be some slight movement." Hubert questioned her with an anxious look.
"But there was nothing--no! no sound came up to me from the earth, and within me there was no feeling of relief.