MOUZON. Then what did he kill him for? Perhaps after all he isn't as guilty as I supposed just now. Perhaps he acted without premeditation. This is what might have happened. Etchepare, a little the worse for drink, goes to Goyetche in order to ask him once more to wait for the payment of this debt. There is a dispute between the two men; old Goyetche was still a strong man; there may have been provocation on his part, and there may have been a struggle, with the tragic result you know of. In that case your husband's position is entirely different--he is no longer a criminal premeditating a crime; and the sentence pronounced against him may be quite a light one. So you see, my good woman, how greatly it is in your interest to obtain a complete confession from him. If he persists in his denials, I am afraid the jury will be extremely severe upon him. There is no doubt that he killed Goyetche; but under what conditions did he kill him? Everything depends on that. By persistently trying to pass for a totally innocent man he risks being thought more guilty than he is. Do you understand? YANETTA. Yes, Monsieur. MOUZON. Will you speak to him as I suggest? Shall I send for him? YANETTA. Yes, Monsieur. MOUZON. [_to the recorder_] Bring in the accused. Tell the gendarmes I shall not need them. _Etchepare enters._ SCENE X:--_The same, Etchepare._ YANETTA. Pierre! To see you here--my Pierre--a prisoner--like a thief! My poor husband--my poor husband! Oh, prove you haven't done anything! Tell his worship--tell him the truth. It'll be best. I beg you tell him the truth. ETCHEPARE. It's all no good. I know, I can feel, I'm done for. All that I can do or say would be no use. Every word I do say turns against me. The gentleman wants me to be guilty. I must be guilty, according to him. So you see! What would you have me do, my poor darling? I've got no strength to go on struggling against him. Let them do what they like with me; I shan't say anything more. YANETTA. Yes, yes, you must speak. You must defend yourself. I beg of you, Pierre. I beg of you, defend yourself. ETCHEPARE. What's the use?