All my efforts to convert him to my views
were useless. Vainly I tried to touch those chords in his breast which I
supposed the most sensitive. He firmly repeated his intention to retire
in spite of me, declaring himself satisfied, if I would consent to allow
him a modest competence. I again attempted to shake him, by showing him
that his marriage, so ardently looked forward to for two years, would be
broken off by this blow. He replied that he felt sure of the constancy
of his betrothed, Mademoiselle d'Arlange."
This name fell like a thunderbolt upon the ears of the investigating
magistrate. He jumped in his chair. Feeling that his face was turning
crimson, he took up a large bundle of papers from his table, and,
to hide his emotion, he raised them to his face, as though trying to
decipher an illegible word. He began to understand the difficult duty
with which he was charged. He knew that he was troubled like a child,
having neither his usual calmness nor foresight. He felt that he
might commit the most serious blunders. Why had he undertaken this
investigation? Could he preserve himself quite free from bias? Did he
think his will would be perfectly impartial? Gladly would he put off
to another time the further examination of the count; but could he?
His conscience told him that this would be another blunder.
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