The door of the garret opened; the commissary entered.
"My moments are numbered, sir," said he to Rodolph. "I declare to you with much regret that I cannot allow this conversation to be protracted any longer."
"This conversation is ended, sir," replied Rodolph, bitterly, and pointing to the lapidary. "Louise has nothing more to say to her father,—he has nothing more to hear from his daughter,—he is a lunatic."
"I feared as much. It is really frightful!" exclaimed the magistrate.
And approaching the workman hastily, after a minute's scrutiny, he was convinced of the sad reality.
"Ah, sir," said he sorrowfully to Rodolph, "I had already expressed my sincerest wishes that the innocence of this young girl might be discovered; but after such a misfortune I will not confine myself to good wishes,—no,—no! I will speak of this honest and distressed family; I will speak of this fearful and last blow which has overwhelmed it; and do not doubt but that the judges will have an additional motive to find the accused innocent."
"Thanks, thanks, sir!" said Rodolph; "by acting thus it will not be a mere duty that you fulfil, but a holy office which you undertake."
"Believe me, sir, our duty is always such a painful one that it is most grateful to us to be interested in any thing which is worthy and good."
"One word more, sir. The disclosures of Louise Morel have fully convinced me of her innocence. Will you be so kind as inform me how her pretended crime was discovered, or rather denounced?"