“It isn’t certain yet that I shall make the argument,” replied the lawyer.
“What! You are not to make the argument?”
Mr. Battard had to explain his confidences, which had escaped him without thinking, by going further into the thing.
“That young duffer Maurice doesn’t wish to be seriously defended. He prefers to look out for his mistress’s honour.”
He pronounced these last words with disdainful irony, explaining to the attentive magistrate that the accused man threatened to contradict in advance any reference to Mrs. Frasne as the guilty party.
“If you don’t argue, then who will?”
“I don’t know. Mr. Hamel doubtless.”
His tone showed hardly any more respect for the aged lawyer than for the guilty woman. The former’s age and feebleness were thrown into high relief by the single mocking mention of his name.
After some moments of silence Mr. Vallerois concluded:
“I understand what Roquevillard’s driving at now. He’s suppressing the theft to save his son. It’s his last chance. He doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice his fortune. It’s very fine.”