Sidonie spoke with a nervous volubility. Her timidity had fled; her love alone remained invincible. Bruno, however, maddened by her interference, persisted that he was guilty.
“I tell you I am guilty. Be quiet, Sidonie. Why do you defend me? What do you know about it?”
The justice gazed intently at Bruno. Jeannille Marselon also closely scrutinized him, and for a moment appeared surprised. The crowd, for a brief interval stupefied, soon recovered itself, and tongues began wagging faster than ever.
“What did I tell you?” exclaimed Léocadia and Rosalie.
“I have suspected Bruno all along,” said another.
Banastre did not for an instant turn his eyes away from Bruno’s face. He was puzzled. It scarcely seemed possible that one with such a frank and guileless countenance could commit such a heinous crime.
“It must have been one of the two—Firmin or Bruno,” continued Léocadia.
“For Heaven’s sake, be quiet!” cried Sidonie.
“Why should I?” returned Mademoiselle Faillot. “It is you who ought to go and hide yourself. Perhaps you dare say you love him, eh? He’s a fine lover.”
“Yes, I do love him. God bless him!” exclaimed Sidonie, with a look of utter devotion.