But such emotions are not apt to last long. A few moments later, and Jacques de Boiscoran, arm in arm with his counsel, left his prison, in which he had for several months suffered all that an honest man can suffer. He had paid a fearful penalty for what, in the eyes of so many men, is but a trifling wrong.
When they reached the street in which the Chandores lived, M. Folgat said to his client,—
“They do not expect you, I am sure. Go slowly, while I go ahead to prepare them.”
He found Jacques’s parents and friends assembled in the parlor, suffering great anxiety; for they had not been able to ascertain if there were any truth in the vague rumors which had reached them.
The young advocate employed the utmost caution in preparing them for the truth; but at the first words Dionysia asked,—
“Where is Jacques?”
Jacques was kneeling at her feet, overcome with gratitude and love.
V.
The next day the funeral of Count Claudieuse took place. His youngest daughter was buried at the same time; and in the evening the Countess left Sauveterre, to make her home henceforth with her father in Paris.
In the proper course of the law, the sentence which condemned Jacques was declared null and void; and Cocoleu, found guilty of having committed the crime at Valpinson, was sentenced to hard labor for life.