"
"Why? Come, my friend, do not be uneasy, your honour is not at stake
here, no one questions it. When did you warn her so wisely?"
"Ah, a long time ago, sir," replied the sailor, "the first time was more
than thirty years back. She had ambition even in her blood; she wished
to mix herself up in the intrigues of the great. It was that that ruined
her. She said that one got money for keeping secrets; and I said that
one got disgraced and that was all. To help the great to hide their
villainies, and to expect happiness from it, is like making your bed of
thorns, in the hope of sleeping well. But she had a will of her own."
"You were her husband, though," objected M. Daburon, "you had the right
to command her obedience."
The sailor shook his head, and heaved a deep sigh.
"Alas, sir! it was I who obeyed."
To proceed by short inquiries with a witness, when you have no idea of
the information he brings, is but to lose time in attempting to gain it.
When you think you are approaching the important fact, you may be just
avoiding it. It is much better to give the witness the rein, and to
listen carefully, putting him back on the track should he get too
far away.
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