"Well, madame," said the lawyer, without seeming to attach any
importance to his words, "a lad of fifteen and his brother, of
thirteen, I suppose, have legs and their wits about them; they might
come to see you on the sly. If they do not, it is because they obey
their father, and to obey him in that matter they must love him very
dearly."

"I do not understand," said the Marquise.

"You do not know, perhaps," replied Popinot, "that in your petition
your attorney represents your children as being very unhappy with
their father?"

Madame d'Espard replied with charming innocence:

"I do not know what my attorney may have put into my mouth."

"Forgive my inferences," said Popinot, "but Justice weighs everything.
What I ask you, madame, is suggested by my wish thoroughly to
understand the matter. By your account M. d'Espard deserted you on the
most frivolous pretext. Instead of going to Briancon, where he wished
to take you, he remained in Paris. This point is not clear. Did he
know this Madame Jeanrenaud before his marriage?"

"No, monsieur," replied the Marquise, with some asperity, visible only
to Rastignac and the Chevalier d'Espard.

She was offended at being cross-examined by this layer when she had
intended to beguile his judgment; but as Popinot still looked stupid