The departure of the two suspected individuals had excited among the assembled peasants a commotion, the noise of which reached the apartment of Lucia. Half terrified at the outcries, she approached the window, and saw Arthur at the moment he ascended the carriage of the king's attorney.
'Where is Monsieur d'Aubian going?' asked she involuntarily of the physician who had rejoined her.
'To prison, probably,' replied Monsieur Mallet, fixing his eyes steadily upon her.
'To prison!' almost shrieked Lucia.
'Are you then ignorant that it was he who attempted the life of Monsieur Gorsay? Your husband has formally accused him.'
The poor wife, instead of making reply, gazed around her with an air of bewilderment; suddenly turning deadly pale, she closed her eyes, and fell backward into the arms of the doctor, who seemed prepared for this crisis; for without being discomposed, he laid her upon a sofa, and afforded her the succor her situation required.
'Curate,' said he to the old priest who at this moment entered the room, 'this young woman has now two confessors.'
PART TWO IN OUR NEXT.