This man who had left her presence with a threat upon his lips would return to torture her now. How could she escape him?
To-day she had succeeded in subduing her heart and conscience; would she again have the strength to master her feelings?
She well knew that her calmness and courage were entirely due to the inaptness of Clameran.
Why did he not use entreaties instead of threats?
When Louis spoke of Raoul, she could scarcely conceal her emotion; her maternal heart yearned toward the innocent child who was expiating his mother’s faults.
A chill of horror passed over her at the idea of his enduring the pangs of hunger.
Her child wanting bread, when she, his mother, was rolling in wealth!
Ah, why could she not lay all her possessions at his feet? With what delight would she undergo the greatest privations for his sake! If she could but send him enough money to support him comfortably!
But no; she could not take this step without compromising herself and her family.
Prudence forbade her acceptance of the intervention of Louis de Clameran.