"Oh, I did not dare. M. Ferrand was anxious to get rid of me, and he would certainly have sent for Dr. Vincent, who would have killed me at my master's instead of killing me at the Martials, or else M. Ferrand would have stifled me, and said that I had died in my confinement. Alas, sir, perhaps these were vain terrors, but they came over me at this moment and caused my suffering; otherwise I would have endured the shame, and should never have been accused of killing my child. Instead of calling for help, and for fear my cries should be heard, I stuffed my mouth full with the bedclothes. At length, after dreadful anguish, alone, in the midst of darkness, the child was born, and,--dead,--I did not kill it!--indeed, I did not kill it,--ah, no! In the midst of this fearful night I had one moment of bitter joy, and that was when I pressed my child in my arms." And the voice of Louise was stifled with sobs. Morel had listened to his daughter's recital with a mournful apathy and indifference which alarmed Rodolph. However, seeing her burst into tears, the lapidary, who was still leaning on his work-board with his two hands pressed against his temples, looked at Louise steadfastly, and said: "She weeps,--she weeps,--why is she weeping?" Then, after a moment's hesitation, "Ah, yes,--I know, I know,--the notary,--isn't it? Go on my poor Louise,--you are my daughter,--I love you still,--just now I did not recognise you,--my eyes were darkened with my tears,--oh, my head,--how badly it aches,--my head, my head!" "You do not believe me guilty, do you, father, do you?" "Oh, no, no!" "It is a terrible misfortune; but I was so fearful of the notary." "The notary? Ah, yes, and well you might be; he is so wicked, so very wicked!" "But you will forgive me now?" "Yes, yes." "Really and truly?" "Yes--ah, yes! Ah! I love you the same as ever,--although I cannot--not say--you see--because--oh, my head, my head!" Louise looked at Rodolph in extreme alarm. "He is suffering deeply; but let him calm himself. Go on." Louise, after looking twice or thrice at Morel with great disquietude, thus resumed: "I clasped my infant to my breast, and was astonished at not hearing it breathe. I said to myself, 'The breathing of a baby is so faint that it is difficult to hear it.' But then it was so cold. I had no light, for they never would leave one with me. I waited until the dawn came, trying to keep it warm as well as I could; but it seemed to me colder and colder. I said to myself then; 'It freezes so hard that it must be the cold that chills it so.' At daybreak I carried my child to the window and looked at it; it was stiff and cold. I placed my mouth to its mouth, to try and feel its breath. I put my hand on its heart; but it did not beat; it was dead." And Louise burst into tears.