But _Lucie_ has faith in her husband. In all the years of their married life she has heard him proclaim from the very housetops that motherhood is the most sacred function of woman; that the State needs large numbers; that commerce and the army require an increase of the population, and "the government commands you to further this end to the best of your ability, each one of you in his own commune." She has heard her husband repeat, over and over again, that the woman who refuses to abide by the command of God and the laws to become a mother is immoral, is criminal. Surely he would understand the tragedy of _Annette_, who had been placed in this condition not through her own fault but because she had been confiding and trusting in the promise of the man. Surely _Brignac_ would come to the rescue of _Annette_; would help and comfort her in her trying and difficult moment. But _Lucie_, like many wives, does not know her husband; she does not know that a man who is so hidebound by statutes and codes cannot have human compassion, and that he will not stand by the little girl who has committed the "unpardonable sin." _Lucie_ does not know, but she is soon to learn the truth. _Lucie._ I tell you Annette is the victim of this wretch. If you are going to do nothing but insult her, we had better stop discussing the matter. _Brignac._ I am in a nice fix now! There is nothing left for us but to pack our trunks and be off. I am done for. Ruined! Smashed! I tell you if she was caught red handed stealing, the wreck wouldn't be more complete.... We must make some excuse. We will invent an aunt or cousin who has invited her to stay. I will find a decent house for her in Paris to go to. She'll be all right there. When the time comes she can put the child out to nurse in the country, and come back to us. _Lucie._ You seriously propose to send that poor child to Paris, where she doesn't know a soul? _Brignac._ What do you mean by that? I will go to Paris myself, if necessary. There are special boarding houses; very respectable ones. I'll inquire: of course without letting out that it is for anyone I know. And I'll pay what is necessary. What more can you want?