“The penalty for sheltering an emigre is death!” replies Forget-Not shrilly, again playing to the Jacobins.
But Henriette is thinking of the suffering Louise. She strives to direct the Judge’s attention to the blind girl.
“She might hear!” says Henriette softly. “Please––not so loud!”
The Judge turns the pages of his book in studied indifference.
“Please––my sister––we have just met after a long time––she––she is blind!” The little voice breaks off in sobs.
The idea strikes her that, if they can only see the helpless creature, they will have pity. She calls:
“Louise, stand up––they want to see you!”
The cripple Pierre aids Louise to her feet. She stands there alone, a picture of abject misery.
“You see!” cries Henriette. “Blind––no one to care for her!”