Part 90 (1/2)
As M. Folgat was bowing, she asked,--
”You are M. de Boiscoran's counsel?”
”Yes, madam,” replied the young advocate.
”The doctor tells me you wish to speak to me.”
”Yes, madam.”
With a queenly air, she pointed to a chair, and, sitting down herself, she said,--
”I hear, sir.”
M. Folgat began with beating heart, but a firm voice,--
”I ought, first of all, madam, to state to you my client's true position.”
”That is useless, sir. I know.”
”You know, madam, that he has been summoned to trial, and that he may be condemned?”
She shook her head with a painful movement, and said very softly,--
”I know, sir, that Count Claudieuse has been the victim of a most infamous attempt at murder; that he is still in danger, and that, unless G.o.d works a miracle, I shall soon be without a husband, and my children without a father.”
”But M. de Boiscoran is innocent, madam.”
The features of the countess a.s.sumed an expression of profound surprise; and, looking fixedly at M. Folgat, she said,--
”And who, then, is the murderer?”
Ah! It cost the young advocate no small effort to prevent his lips from uttering the fatal word, ”You,” prompted by his indignant conscience.
But he thought of the success of his mission; and, instead of replying, he said,--
”To a prisoner, madam, to an unfortunate man on the eve of judgment, an advocate is a confessor, to whom he tells every thing. I must add that the counsel of the accused is like a priest: he must forget the secrets which have been confided to him.”
”I do not understand, sir.”
”My client, madam, had a very simple means to prove his innocence.
He had only to tell the truth. He has preferred risking his own honor rather than to betray the honor of another person.”
The countess looked impatient, and broke in, saying,--
”My moments are counted, sir. May I beg you will be more explicit?”
But M. Folgat had gone as far as he well could go.
”I am desired by M. de Boiscoran, madam, to hand you a letter.”