"And she would not betray her assailant?"
"Not a word!" exclaimed Mlle. Fouchette. "I never believed Madeleine could rise to that."
"Nor I," said Jean.
"And the police did worry that Lerouge," continued the girl.
"Oh, they did?"
"Yes; but he easily proved that he was not only not Madeleine's lover, but that he was out somewhere with his—his——"
"Mistress, eh?" he said, bitterly. "Why not say it?"
"With his friend," she added, her eyes on the ground.
"Ugh!"
"But you, monsieur,—you have not yet told me your troubles. Your love goes badly, I suppose, eh?"