PRES. Oh, yes. Let us hear. The gentlemen of the jury are listening.
MME. THOMAS [after a sign from her counsel] A girl came to me one day; she was a servant. She had been seduced by her master. I refused to do what she asked me to do: she went and drowned herself. Another I refused to help was brought up before you here for infanticide. Then when the others came, I said Yes. I’ve prevented many a suicide and many a crime.
PRES. So that’s your line of defence. It is in pity, in charity, that you have acted. The prosecution will answer that you have never failed to exact payment for your services, and a high payment.
MME. THOMAS. And you? Don’t they pay you for condemning other people?
PRES. Those you condemn to death and execute yourself are all innocent.
MME. THOMAS. You prosecute me, but you decorate the surgeons who trade in sterility.
PRES. Be silent. Sit down. Madame Lucie Brignac. [Lucie comes forward, in great emotion]. Calm yourself, madame, and tell us what you know. You are called for the defence.
LUCIE. It was I, monsieur, who asked to be heard.
PRES. Speak up, madame, I cannot hear what you say.
LUCIE [louder] It was I, monsieur, who asked to be heard. I wanted to defend the memory of my little one. I fear now I shall not have the strength. [She controls herself]. Annette was seduced by a man who had promised to marry her. She lived with us. When my husband knew that my sister was in a certain condition, he wished to send her away. I was indignant, and I left his house with her and my children. We went to Bordeaux. We had a few hundred francs, and we thought we could work for our living. [She stops].