The President of the Court, who seemed to take a great interest in the problem on trial before him, questioned Mme. Desruelles as to the cause of her sudden trip to New York.
She pointed to Desruelles with a scornful finger. “Ca!” she cried, “he had a mistress; he wished to abandon me; he called me Cosaque! He appointed to meet her in New York after settling up his cousin’s estate. I determined to make his amours uncomfortable. I pursued the woman to New York. I pulled her hair; I boxed her ears; I made her flee in dismay to California; then, my mission performed, I returned to Paris.”
The unhappy Scipion, in utter prostration of astonished protest, lifted his helpless hands and denied the mistress, the assignation—everything.
His wife turned away with an incredulous, scornful shrug.
“I have your letters, Monsieur. I compelled the creature to surrender them to me.”
The President ordered Mme. Desruelles to produce the letters, and while the huissier was gone examined M. Pache.
The latter gentleman testified as to the facts of Desruelles’ visit to Martinique, the false will, etc., and positively identified Desruelles.
“Have you ever seen that will?” asked the President.
“No,” said Pache.
“I have it here,” said the President. “It is duly authenticated, signed and sealed—look at it!”