I have never spoken a word on
the subject to my husband, and indeed it is best for our tranquillity
that I should not attempt to extort a detailed confession from him. One
circumstance which has induced me to speak to you is that on an occasion
when I accompanied Madame Angelin to a house in the Rue de Miromesnil, I
perceived you there with that girl, who had another child in her arms. So
you have not lost sight of her, and you must know what she is doing, and
whether her first child is alive, and in that case where he is, and how
he is situated."
Mathieu still refrained from replying, for Constance's increasing
feverishness put him on his guard, and impelled him to seek the motive of
such a strange application on the part of one who was as a rule so proud
and so discreet. What could be happening? Why did she strive to provoke
confidential revelations which might have far-reaching effects? Then, as
she closely scanned him with her keen eyes, he sought to answer her with
kind, evasive words.
"You greatly embarrass me. And, besides, I know nothing likely to
interest you. What good would it do yourself or your husband to stir up
all the dead past? Take my advice, forget what people may have told
you--you are so sensible and prudent--"
But she interrupted him, caught hold of his hands, and held them in her
warm, quivering grasp.
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