"Such is our position, my dear doctor, and before the return of M. Bastien, we must resolve upon something decisive, or--" and Marie became deathly pale--"or something terrible will happen here, for you know how violent M. Bastien is, and how resolute Frederick is; and as to me, I feel that, sick as I am, to take away my son is to strike me with death." "Madame, the moments are precious; permit me first to appeal to your sincerity and frankness." "Speak." "Yesterday evening, at the conclusion of the discussion which you had with your husband, a most atrocious thing occurred, and that night--" "Monsieur." "I know all, madame." "Once more, doctor--" "I know all, I tell you, and, with your habitual courage, you did, I am certain of it, submit to this abominable treatment, in order not to make public this outrageous deed, and to avoid a collision between your son and your husband. Oh, do not try to deny it; your safety and the safety of your son depend upon the sincerity of your confession." "My safety! my son's safety!" "Come, madame, do you think the law has no redress for such atrocities as those your husband has been guilty of toward you? No, no! and there are witnesses of his unreasonable brutality. And these witnesses, Marguerite and myself, to whom you have applied for medical attention, as a consequence of the injuries you have sustained, we, I say, will authorise and justify your demand for separation. This demand must be formulated to-day." "A separation!" cried Marie, clasping her hands in a transport of joy, "will it be possible?" "Yes, and you will obtain it; trust yourself to me, madame. I will see your judges, I will establish your rights, your illness, your grievances; but before formulating this demand," added the doctor, with hesitation, for he appreciated the delicacy of the question raised, "it is essential for David to go away." At these words, Marie trembled with surprise and distress; with her eyes fixed on those of Doctor Dufour, she tried to divine his thought, unable to comprehend why he, David's best friend, should insist upon his going away. "Separate us from M. David," said she finally, "at the time my son has so much need of his care?" "Madame, believe me, the departure of David is essential. David himself realises it, because he has resolved to go." "M. David!" "I have his word." "It is impossible!" "I have his word, madame." "He! he! abandon us at such a time!" "In order to save you and your son." "In order to save us?" "His presence near you, madame, would compromise the success of your demand for a separation." "Why is that?" There was so much candour and sincerity in Marie's question, she revealed so thoroughly the innocence of her heart, that the doctor had not the heart to give a new pain to this angelic creature by telling her of the odious reports being circulated about herself and David, so he replied: