I thought I was helping your brother." "You have helped me better than you thought for," said the youngest, turning pale; "you have made him Comte de Cinq-Cygne." "What! do you mean to tell me the countess has made her choice ?" cried Madame d'Hauteserre.
"No," said Laurence; "we left the decision to fate and you are its instrument." She told of the agreement made that morning.

The elder Simeuse, watching the increasing pallor of his brother's face, was momentarily on the point of crying out, "Marry her; I will go away and die!" Just then, as the dessert was being served, all present heard raps upon the window of the dining-room on the garden side.

The eldest d'Hauteserre opened it and gave entrance to the abbe, whose breeches were torn in climbing over the walls of the park.
"Fly! they are coming to arrest you," he cried.
"Why ?" "I don't know yet; but there's a warrant against you." The words were greeted with general laughter.
"We are innocent," said the young men.
"Innocent or guilty," said the abbe, "mount your horses and make for the frontier.

There you can prove your innocence.

You could overcome a sentence by default; you will never overcome a sentence rendered by popular passion and instigated by prejudice.