The cross-examination, with its unimpeachable logic, left Philippe no loop-hole for escape. He felt that he was lost.
For a moment, he was on the point of throwing up the game and exclaiming:
"Well, yes, I was there. I heard everything. My father is right. We must accept his word...."
This was a display of weakness which a man like Philippe was bound and fated to resist. On the other hand, how could he betray Suzanne?
He crossed his arms over his chest and muttered:
"I have nothing to say."
Marthe, suddenly dropping her accusing tone and shaking with anguish, rushed up to him and cried:
"You have nothing to say? What do you mean? Oh, Philippe, I entreat you, speak!... Confess that you are lying and that you were there ... I beseech you.... My mind is full of horrible thoughts.... Things have been happening—I have noticed them—which obsess me now.... It's not true, tell me that it's not true!"
He thought that he beheld salvation in this unexpected distress. Disarmed, reduced to silence by a sort of confession which he could retract at leisure, his wife was making herself his accomplice and rescuing him by ceasing to attack him.