On the road, we shall meet
at the inn, where we are to sleep, M. Germain and the nurse to whom they
have entrusted the legitimate son. We shall be put in the same room,
and, during the night, I am to change the little ones, who have been
purposely dressed alike. For this the count gives me eight thousand
francs down, and a life annuity of a thousand francs.'"
"And you!" exclaimed the magistrate, "you, who call yourself an honest
man, permitted such villainy, when one word would have been sufficient
to prevent it?"
"Sir, I beg of you," entreated Lerouge, "permit me to finish."
"Well, continue!"
"I could say nothing at first, I was so choked with rage. I must have
looked terrible. But she, who was generally afraid of me when I was in
a passion, burst out laughing, and said, 'What a fool you are! Listen,
before turning sour like a bowl of milk. The count is the only one who
wants this change made; and he is the one that's to pay for it. His
mistress, this little one's mother, doesn't want it at all; she merely
pretended to consent, so as not to quarrel with her lover, and because
she has got a plan of her own. She took me aside, during my visit in her
room, and, after having made me swear secrecy on a crucifix, she told
me that she couldn't bear the idea of separating herself from her babe
forever, and of bringing up another's child.
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