examining magistrate. When her husband
unveiled the thoughts in the back of his own mind, she had tried to
plumb the depths of hate in du Croisier's adherents. She wanted to find
out how du Croisier had gained over this deputy public prosecutor, who
had acted so promptly and so directly in opposition to the views of the
central power.

"In any case," continued she, "if celebrated counsel come down from
Paris, there is a prospect of a very interesting session in the Court of
Assize; but the matter will be snuffed out between the Tribunal and the
Court of Appeal. It is only to be expected that the Government should do
all that can be done, below the surface, to save a young man who comes
of a great family, and has the Duchesse de Maufrigneuse for a friend. So
I think that we shall have a 'sensation at Landernau.'"

"How you go on, madame!" the President said sternly. "Can you suppose
that the Court of First Instance will be influenced by considerations
which have nothing to do with justice?"

"The event proves the contrary," she said meaningly, looking full at
Sauvager and the President, who glanced coldly at her.

"Explain yourself, madame," said Sauvager, "you speak as if we had not
done our duty."

"Mme. Camusot meant nothing," interposed her husband.

"But has not M. le President just said something prejudicing a case
which depends on the examination of the prisoner?" said she. "And
the evidence is still to be taken, and the Court had not given its
decision?"

"We are not at the law-courts," the deputy public prosecutor replied
tartly; "and besides, we know all that."

"But the public prosecutor knows nothing at all about it yet," returned
she, with an ironical glance. "He will come back from the Chamber of
Deputies in all haste. You have cut out his work for him, and he, no
doubt, will speak for himself."

The deputy prosecutor knitted his thick bushy brows. Those interested
read tardy scruples in his countenance. A great silence followed, broken
by no sound but the dealing of the cards. M. and Mme. Camusot, sensible
of a decided chill in the atmosphere, took their departure to leave the
conspirators to talk at their ease.

"Camusot," the lady began in the street, "you went too far. Why lead
those people to suspect that you will have no part in their schemes?
They will play you some ugly trick."

"What can they do? I am the only examining magistrate."

"Cannot they slander you in whispers, and procure