The woman was recalled, and entered upon a dreadful and circumstantial deposition. The flower-girl, it was true, was alone criminal; but Maurice and Lorin were her accomplices.
This denunciation produced an incredible effect upon the public mind; and now, indeed, Simon was in the ascendant.
"Gendarmes," said the president, "bring forward the flower-girl."
"Oh, this is frightful!" said Maurice, concealing his face in his hands.
The flower-girl was called, and placed before the Tribune, exactly opposite to Tison's wife, whose testimony had convicted her of a capital crime.
She raised her veil.
"Héloïse!" cried the woman Tison; "my child. You here!"
"Yes, mother," replied the young woman, gently.
"And why do you enter between two gendarmes?"