And, seizing M. Magloire's hand, he pressed it almost painfully, as he
added in a hoarse voice,--

"One word will explain the whole thing to you: I was the lover of the
Countess Claudieuse!"



XIII.

If he had been less distressed, Jacques de Boiscoran would have seen how
wisely had had acted in choosing for his defender the great advocate of
Sauveterre. A stranger, M. Folgat, for instance, would have heard him
silently, and would have seen in the revelation nothing but the fact
without giving it a personal value. In M. Magloire, on the contrary, he
saw what the whole country would feel. And M. Magloire, when he heard
him declare that the Countess Claudieuse had been his mistress, looked
indignant, and exclaimed,--

"That is impossible."

At least Jacques was not surprised. He had been the first to say
that they would refuse to believe him when he should speak; and this
conviction had largely influenced him in keeping silence so long.

"It is impossible, I know," he said; "and still it is so."

"Give me proofs!" said M. Magloire.

"I have no proofs."