"You hope then they will leave me my son?"
"Without doubt."
"How," replied Marie, clasping her hands and looking at the doctor with inexpressible anguish, "could there be a doubt that they will leave me my son?"
"He is more than sixteen years old, and in a case of separation, the son follows the father; a daughter would be given to you."
"But, then," replied Marie, all excited with fear, "what good is this separation, if I am not sure of keeping my son?"
"First, to assure your peace, your life perhaps, because your husband—"
"But my son, my son?"
"We will do everything in the world to have him given to you."
"And if they do not give him to me?"
"Alas! madame."