"But an honorable man said to me, 'Shall we repair the crime of another? Shall we not give this little one a home and a family?' I became your wife, your happy, honored companion, and poor Jacques will never know that he owes his life to a base profligate."
Simon laid his hand on his wife's head.
"Do you know why Simon Fougère wished to make reparation for the crime of the Vicomte de Talizac?"
"Because Simon Fougère had a loyal and generous heart!"
"Because," said Simon, in solemn tones, "because the Vicomte de Talizac is my brother!"
"Your brother! But who, then, are you?"
"The son of the Marquis de Fongereues," and in a few words Simon explained to his wife the situation already known to our readers.
"I reproach myself," concluded Simon, "for having so long concealed my name from you. I have not seen my father since I was a boy. I am indebted to him for a few years of happiness, but he was under the influence of others who awakened in him the pride of race. He has forgotten the Republican soldier, and has never cared to know whether I lived or died, since the day that he offered me a princely fortune, rank and title, to fight against France. But to return to this man, you are sure he is the friend and accomplice of Talizac?"
"I am sure."