The next evening the answer came.

"Dr. Seignebos is no doubt right, my dear friends," wrote Jacques. "I
have but too good reasons to be sure that Cocoleu's imbecility is partly
assumed, and that his evidence has been prompted by others. Still I
must beg you will take no steps that would lead to another medical
investigation. The slightest imprudence may ruin me. For Heaven's sake
wait till the end of the preliminary investigation, which is now near at
hand, from what M. Galpin tells me."

The letter was read in the family circle; and the poor mother uttered a
cry of despair as she heard those words of resignation.

"Are we going to obey him," she said, "when we all know that he is
ruining himself by his obstinacy?"

Dionysia rose, and said,--

"Jacques alone can judge his situation, and he alone, therefore, has the
right to command. Our duty is to obey. I appeal to M. Folgat."

The young advocate nodded his head.

"Every thing has been done that could be done," he said. "Now we can
only wait."



XII.