Nathalie made a mute sign of assent.
“Then you think,” Mme. de Beaudrillart went on, in the same dry and mechanical tones, “that it will be found they have not sufficient evidence to prove what they—have to prove!”
“I do not know,” said the wife, breathing hard. “I do not know. I only know that he must tell the truth.”
His mother’s hands gripped her chair.
“Acknowledge that—that he took the money?”
“Yes. Because it is true.”
A groan burst from Claire’s lips.
“Impossible!” cried Mme. de Beaudrillart, with an agitation she had not yet shown. “Plead guilty!”
Nathalie drove back anguish, recognising that all her strength was needed.
“What would flight plead, madame? That would mean that he was guilty of everything.”