When the letter had been read, M. Folgat and M. de Chandore sadly turned
their heads aside, fearing lest Dionysia should read in their eyes the
secret of their thoughts. But she felt only too well what it meant.

"You cannot doubt Jacques, grandpapa!" she cried.

"No," murmured the old gentleman feebly, "no."

"And you, M. Folgat--are you so much hurt by Jacques's desire to consult
another lawyer?"

"I should have been the first, madam, to advise him to consult a
native."

Dionysia had to summon all her energy to check her tears.

"Yes," she said, "this letter is terrible; but how can it be otherwise?
Don't you see that Jacques is in despair, that his mind wanders after
all these fearful shocks?"

Somebody knocked gently at the door.

"It is I," said the marchioness.

Grandpapa Chandore, M. Folgat, and Dionysia looked at each other for a
moment; and then the advocate said,--

"The situation is too serious: we must consult the marchioness." He rose
to open the door. Since the three friends had been holding the council
in the baron's study, a servant had come five times in succession to