"The President now deals with what happened on the other fatal night, the 'Night of the Confession.'
"'What happened on November 25th, in the evening?'
"Three journalists who were continually pestering us, Messrs. de Labruyère, Hutin and Barby, arrived at seven-thirty. Madame only came at nine.'...
"'Did you listen at the door? Witnesses have asserted it.'
"'It is false. Let them come and say it to me.' Mariette is quite angry.
"'When your mistress went to bed, you had a long talk with her?'
"'Is not that natural? The poor woman, she looked like a corpse; she asked me for strychnine. She wanted to die and I kept on repeating: "It's all right... be calm." And then, when I saw M. Barby listening behind, I told him: "You have no business here. Clear out."'
"Mariette uses the strongest expression in the French language to order a rapid exit. She speaks so vehemently, and, it must be added, convincingly, that every one in the Court is impressed. Once more there is a general murmur of disapproval at the conduct of certain journalists."
M. de Balincourt made a brief appearance. He stammered a few words, and went away.
M. Bdl. was the next witness, and disclosed that he had never entertained the idea of marrying. He concluded his evidence with the words: "I am convinced of Mme. Steinheil's absolute innocence." He was followed at the witnesses' bar by one of his friends, M. Martin, who, after stating that there had never been any question of marriage between M. Bdl. and me, turned towards me and said: "Madame, you have been shockingly abandoned by all, but you have my full esteem."