“Have you nothing to add, sir?” asked M. Galpin.
“Nothing, except that I am innocent.”
M. Galpin found it difficult to repress his impatience. He said,—
“Well, then, prove it. Refute the charges which have been brought against you, which overwhelm you, which induce me, the court, and everybody else, to consider you guilty. Speak, and explain your conduct.”
Jacques kept obstinately silent.
“Your resolution is fixed,” said the magistrate once more, “you refuse to say any thing?”
“I am innocent.”
M. Galpin saw clearly that it was useless to insist any longer.
“From this moment,” he said, “you are no longer in close confinement. You can receive the visits of your family in the prison parlor. The advocate whom you will choose will be admitted to your cell to consult with you.”
“At last!” exclaimed Jacques with explosive delight; and then he added,—