"No, madame, I cannot write," answered La Chouette at all hazard.
"I am going to write then, from your dictation. Tell me all the circumstances attending the abandonment of this little girl." And Sarah, seating herself in an armchair before the desk, took a pen and made a motion for the old woman to draw near to her.
The eyes of La Chouette twinkled. At length she was standing erect alongside of Sarah's seat. She, bending over the table, prepared to write.
"I will read aloud slowly," said the countess, "you will correct my mistakes."
"Yes, madame," answered La Chouette, watching every movement.
Then she slipped her right hand into her basket, so as to take hold of the dagger without being seen. The lady began to write, "I declare that—"
But interrupting herself, and turning toward La Chouette, who already had hold of the handle of her dagger, Sarah added, "At what time was this child delivered to you?"
"In the month of February, 1827."
"By whom?" asked Sarah, with her face still turned toward La Chouette.
"By Pierre Tournemine, now in the galleys at Rochefort. Mrs. Seraphin, housekeeper of the notary, gave the little girl to him."