Like Dr. Seignebos, M. Magloire also was a Republican; and, at the last Imperial elections, the Bonapartists had had the greatest trouble, aided though they were by the whole influence of the government, and shrinking from no unfair means, to keep him out of the Chamber. Nor would they have been successful after all, but for the influence of Count Claudieuse, who had prevailed upon a number of electors to abstain from voting. This was the man, who, towards nine o’clock, presented himself, upon the invitation of M. de Chandore, at his house, where he was anxiously expected by all the inmates. His greeting was affectionate, but at the same time so sad, that it touched Dionysia’s heart most painfully. She thought she saw that M. Magloire was not far from believing Jacques guilty. And she was not mistaken; for M. Magloire let them see it clearly, in the most delicate manner, to be sure, but still so as to leave no doubt. He had spent the day in court, and there had heard the opinions of the members of the court, which was by no means favorable to the accused. Under such circumstances, it would have evidently been a grave blunder to yield to Jacques’s wishes, and to apply for a change of venue from M. Galpin to some other magistrate. “The investigation will last a year,” cried Dionysia, “since M. Galpin is determined to obtain from Jacques the confession of a crime which he has not committed.” M. Magloire shook his head, and replied,-- “I believe, on the contrary, madam, that the investigation will be very soon concluded.” “But if Jacques keeps silent?” “Neither the silence of an accused, nor any other caprice or obstinacy of his, can interfere with the regular process. Called upon to produce his justification, if he refuses to do so, the law proceeds without him.” “Still, sir, if an accused person has reasons”-- “There are no reasons which can force a man to let himself be accused unjustly. But even that case has been foreseen. The accused is at liberty not to answer a question which may inculpate him. _Nemo tenetur prodere se ipsum_. But you must admit that such a refusal to answer justifies a judge in believing that the charges are true which the accused does not refute.” The great calmness of the distinguished lawyer of Sauveterre terrified his listeners more and more, except M. Folgat. When they heard him use all those technical terms, they felt chilled through and through like the friends of a wounded man who hear the grating noise of the surgeon’s knife. “My son’s situation appears to you very serious, sir?” asked the marchioness in a feeble voice. “I said it was dangerous, madam.” “You think, as M. Folgat does, that every day adds to the danger to which he is exposed?” “I am but too sure of that. And if M. de Boiscoran is really innocent”-- “Ah, M. Magloire!” broke in Dionysia, “how can you, who are a friend of Jacques’s, say so?” M. Magloire looked at the young girl with an air of deep and sincere pity, and then said,--