"The trial ended: the prisoner was found guilty, and condemned to the guillotine. Never shall I forget Madame Marville's cry of agony when the sentence was pronounced. How often in the dead of night have I started from sleep with that cry ringing in my ears!
"From the tribunal I returned home heart-broken by the black wickedness of which I had been guilty. If Marville died, what was I but his murderess?
"'Noel,' I said, that same night, 'you will not let the innocent suffer?'
"'What would you have me do?' was his reply. 'Walk to the guillotine instead of him? Upon my word, you are an affectionate wife!'
"I shuddered, for he spoke truth. I could prove the innocence of Eric Marville only at the price of Noel's death.
"Was it for the wife to bring her husband to the guillotine?
"How I preserved my reason at this time I do not know. It came somewhat as a relief to learn that Marville's sentence was changed to imprisonment for life.
"'If you may not prove his innocence,' I said, 'there is one thing you can do for him. Aid him to escape from prison to some far-off land, where he may live in happiness with his wife and child.'
"'Ah! I might do that,' your father replied. The notion seemed to appeal to his spirit of daring and adventure. 'That's a devilish good idea of yours, Thérèse. There would be a dash of excitement in it! Only,' he added, gloomily, stopping in his walk, 'it will mean the utter ruin of my career. It is whispered that the Ministry intend to appoint me to the next Colonial Governorship. I should like to see the fellow free, but his rescue must be left to others. It cannot be done by me. I should have to escape with him, and become exiled from France forever. No! no! it's impossible.'
"But I would not let the idea sleep. I gave him no rest, continually urging him to the work of rescue, even threatening to reveal the truth in connection with the murder, till at last, wearied by my importunities, he matured a plan for Marville's rescue. The result you know. After an imprisonment of five years Eric Marville escaped from Valàgenêt Prison, and was hurried on board the yacht Nemesis that was waiting for him in Quilaix Bay. Your father went with him; as a law-breaker he could not remain in France. I would have accompanied their flight, but the hour of your birth was drawing near. It had been arranged, therefore, that I should join them at a later date. Alas! I never set eyes upon your father again. He corresponded with me at irregular intervals, but after a lapse of eighteen months his letters ceased. The yacht in which he was cruising from place to place foundered off the English coast, and I have no reason to believe that he escaped a watery grave.