A sympathetic murmur ran through the court. She raised her veil and looked steadily at the Lieutenant, never once glancing towards the prisoner, who, pale and trembling, was observing her every movement.
"Madame de Peyrelade," said the Lieutenant, "do you remember to have heard M. de Fontane utter any hostile expressions on receipt of either of the letters lately examined?"
Madame had nothing to say beyond what had been stated by Gustave, Monsieur de Fontane's servant.
"Did Madame think that Monsieur de Fontane thoroughly pardoned the imprudent language of M. de Pradines?"
The lady said that she believed it from her heart.
"Did not Madame, on the night of her fête, leave the salon and go out a little after nine o'clock on the terrace at the west side of the Château?"
She answered in the affirmative.
"Did not Madame aver that she then heard two shots fired, at a considerable distance from the Château?"
She did, and was greatly terrified.
"Could Madame have been mistaken as to the second report? Is Madame certain that she distinguished more than one?"