"
"And when was she attacked by this illness?"
"Yesterday evening."
"Suddenly?"
"Yes, sir; at least, apparently so, though I myself think she has been
unwell for the last three weeks at least. Yesterday, however, on rising
from dinner, after having eaten but little, she took up a newspaper;
and, by a most unfortunate hazard, her eyes fell exactly upon the lines
which gave an account of this crime. She at once uttered a loud cry,
fell back in her chair, and thence slipped to the floor, murmuring, 'Oh,
the unhappy man, the unhappy man!'"
"The unhappy woman, you mean."
"No, sir. She uttered the words I have just repeated. Evidently the
exclamation did not refer to my poor nurse."
Upon this reply, so important and yet made in the most unconscious tone,
M. Daburon raised his eyes to the witness. The advocate lowered his
head.
"And then?" asked the magistrate, after a moment's silence, during which
he had taken a few notes.
"Those words, sir, were the last spoken by Madame Gerdy. Assisted by our
servant, I carried her to her bed. The doctor was sent for; and, since
then, she has not recovered consciousness. The doctor--"
"It is well," interrupted M.
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