Nevertheless, Constance did not get into the cab, but
continued gazing at the pavement. And when she once more raised her eyes,
she spoke to him entreatingly, in an embarrassed, humble manner: "Do you
know what we ought to do? Excuse me, but it is a service I shall never
forget. If I could only know the truth at once it might calm me a little.
Well, let us drive to that woman's now. Oh! I won't go up; you can go
alone, while I wait in the cab at the street corner. And perhaps you will
obtain some news."
It was an insane idea, and he was at first minded to prove this to her.
Then, on looking at her, she seemed to him so wretched, so painfully
tortured, that without a word, making indeed but a kindly gesture of
compassion, he consented. And the cab carried them away.
The large room in which Norine and Cecile lived together was at Grenelle,
near the Champ de Mars, in a street at the end of the Rue de la
Federation. They had been there for nearly six years now, and in the
earlier days had experienced much worry and wretchedness. But the child
whom they had to feed and save had on his side saved them also. The
motherly feelings slumbering in Norine's heart had awakened with
passionate intensity for that poor little one as soon as she had given
him the breast and learnt to watch over him and kiss him.
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