Is he alive? Tell me simply whether he is
alive. But do not tell me a lie. If he is dead I think that I shall feel
calmer. And yet, good heavens! I certainly wish him no evil."
Then Mathieu, who felt deeply touched, told her the simple truth.
"Since you insist on it, for the benefit of your peace of mind, and since
it is to remain entirely between us and to have no effect on your home, I
see no reason why I should not confide to you what I know. But that is
very little. The child was left at the Foundling Hospital in my presence.
Since then the mother, having never asked for news, has received none. I
need not add that your husband is equally ignorant, for he always refused
to have anything to do with the child. Is the lad still alive? Where is
he? Those are things which I cannot tell you. A long inquiry would be
necessary. If, however, you wish for my opinion, I think it probable that
he is dead, for the mortality among these poor cast-off children is very
great."
Constance looked at him fixedly. "You are telling me the real truth? You
are hiding nothing?" she asked. And as he began to protest, she went on:
"Yes, yes, I have confidence in you.
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