“I should say so much the worse for you.”
“But suppose I insist?”
“And how can you insist? We are both in the same boat, and sink or swim together.”
“Are you certain of that?”
“So certain that I repeat from this day I wash my hands of you.”
“I am afraid you are in error.”
“How so?”
“Because for twelve months past; I have given food and shelter to a girl of the name of Clarisse. Do you by any chance know her?”
At the mention of this name, the lawyer started, as a man starts who, walking peacefully along, suddenly sees a deadly serpent coiled across his path.
“Clarisse,” stammered he, “how did you know of her? who told you?”