Conscience -- Volume 3 by Hector Malot
As he did not reply to this cry of triumph, she looked at him in surprise. saw his face, pale, agitated, under the shock evidently of a violent emotion that she could not explain to herself.
"What is the matter?" she asked, with uneasiness.
"Nothing," he answered, almost brutally.
"You do not wish to weaken my hope?" she said, not imagining that he could not think of this hope and of Florentin. This was a path to lead him out of his confusion. In following it he would have time to recover himself.
"It is true," he said.
"You do not think that what Madame Dammauville saw proves Florentin's innocence?"
"Would what may be a proof for Madame Dammauville, for you, and for me, be one in the eyes of the law?"
"However-"
"I saw you so joyful that I did not dare to interrupt you."
"Then you believe that this testimony is without value," she murmured, feeling crushed.
"I do not say that. We must reflect, weigh the pro and con, compass the situation from divers points of view; that is what I try to do, which is the cause of my preoccupation that astonishes you."
"Say that it crushes me; I let myself be carried away."
"You need not be crushed or carried away. Certainly, what this lady told you forms a considerable piece of work."
"Does it not?"
"Without any doubt. But in order that the testimony she gives may be of great consequence, the witness must be worthy of trust."
"Do you believe this lady could have invented such a story?"
"I do not say that; but before all, it is necessary to know who she is."
"The widow of an attorney."
"The widow of an attorney and landowner. Evidently this constitutes a social status that merits consideration from the law; but the moral state, what is it? You say that she is paralyzed?"
"She has been so a little more than a year."
"Of what paralysis? That is a vague word for us others. There are paralyses that affect the sight; others that affect the mind. Is it one of these with which this lady is afflicted, or one of the others, which permitted her really to see, the evening of the assassination, that which she relates, and which leaves her mental faculties in a sane condition? Before everything, it is important to know this."
Phillis was prostrated.
"I had not thought of all that," she murmured.
"It is very natural that you had not; but I am a doctor, and while you talked it was the doctor who listened."
"It is true, it is true," she repeated. "I only saw Florentin."
"In your place I should have seen, like you, only my brother, and I should have been carried away by hope. But I am not in your place. It is by your voice that this woman speaks, whom I do not know, and against whom I must be on my guard, for the sole reason that it is a paralytic who has told this story."
She could not restrain the tears that came to her eyes, and she let them flow silently, finding nothing to reply.
"I am sorry to pain you," he said.
"I saw only Florentin's liberty."
"I do not say this testimony of Madame Dammauville will not influence the judge, and, above all, the jury; but I must warn you that you will expose yourself to a terrible deception if you believe that her testimony alone will give your brother liberty. It is not on a testimony of this kind or of this quality that the law decides; better than we, it knows to what illusions people can lend themselves when it is the question of a crime that absorbs and excites the public curiosity. There are some witnesses who, with the best faith in the world, believe they have seen the most extraordinary things which only existed in their imaginations; and there are people who accuse themselves rather than say nothing."
He heaped words on words, as if, in trying to convince Phillis, he might hope to convince himself; but when the sound of his words faded, he was obliged to declare to himself that, whatever the paralysis of this woman might be, it had not, in this instance, produced either defect of sight or of mind. She had seen, indeed, the tall man with long hair and curled beard, dressed like a gentleman, who was not Florentin. When she related the story of the lamp and the curtain cords, she knew what she was saying.
In his first alarm he had been very near betraying himself. Without doubt he should have told himself that this incident of the curtains might prove a trap; but all passed so rapidly that he never imagined that, exactly at the moment when Caffie raised the lamp to give him light, there was a woman opposite looking at him, and who saw him so plainly that she had not forgotten him. He thought to use all precautions on his side in drawing the curtains, when, on the contrary, he would have done better had he left them undrawn. Without doubt the widow of the attorney would have been a witness of a part of the scene, but in the shadow she would not have distinguished his features as she was able to do when he placed himself before the window under the light. But this idea did not enter his mind, and, to save himself from an immediate danger, he threw himself into another which, although uncertain, was not less grave.
Little by little Phillis recovered herself, and the hope that Madame Dammauville put in her heart, momentarily crushed by Saniel's remarks, sprang up again.
"Is it not possible Madame Dammauville really saw what she relates?"
"Without any doubt; and there are even probabilities that it is so, since the man who drew the curtains was not your brother, as we know. Unfortunately, it is not ourselves who must be convinced, since we are convinced in advance. It is those who, in advance also, have one whom they will not give up unless he is torn from them by force."
"But if Madame Dammauville saw clearly?"
"What must be learned before everything is, if she is in a state to see clearly; I have said nothing else."
"A doctor would surely know on examining her?"
"Without doubt."
"If you were this doctor?"
It was a cry rather than an exclamation. She wished that he should present himself before this woman; but in that case she would recognize him.
Once more, under the pain of betraying his emotion, he must recover from this first impulse.
"But how can you wish me to go and examine this woman whom I do not know, and who does not know me? You know very well that patients choose their doctors, and not doctors their patients."
"If she sent for you?"
"By what right?"
"By what I shall learn on making the concierge talk, could you not recognize her kind of paralysis without seeing her?"
"That would be a little vague. However, I will do the best I can. Try to learn not only what concerns her illness, but all that relates to her -what her position is, who are her relations, which is important for a witness who overawes as much by what he is as by what he says. You understand that a deposition that destroys the whole plan of the prosecution will be severely disputed, and will only be accepted if Madame Dammauville has by her character and position a sufficient authority to break down all opposition."
"I will also try to learn who is her doctor. You may know him. What he would tell you would be worth more than all the details that I could bring you."
"We should be immediately decided on the paralysis, and we should see what credit we could accord this woman's words."
While listening to Phillis and talking himself, he had time to compass the situation that this thunderbolt created for him. Evidently, the first thing to do was to prevent a suspicion from arising in Phillis's mind, and it was to this that he applied himself on explaining the different kinds of paralysis. He knew her well enough to know that he had succeeded. But what would she do now? How did she mean to make use of Madame Dammauville's declaration? Had she spoken of it to any one besides himself? Was it her intention to go to Nougarede and tell him what she had learned? All that must be made clear, and as soon as possible. She must do nothing without his knowledge and approval. The circumstances were critical enough, without his letting accident become the master to direct them and conduct them blindly.
"When did you see Madame Dammauville?" he asked.
"Just this minute."
"And now, what do you wish to do?"
"I think that I ought to tell Monsieur Nougarde."
"Evidently, whatever the value of Madame Dammauville's declaration, he should know it; he will appraise it. Only, as it is well to explain to him what may vitiate this testimony, if you wish, I will go to see him."
"Certainly I wish it, and I thank you."
"In the mean time, return to your mother and tell her what you have learned; but, that she may not yield to an exaggerated hope, tell her, also, that if there are chances, and great ones, in favor of your brother, on the other side there are some that are unfavorable. Tomorrow or this evening you will return to the Rue Sainte-Anne and begin your inquiries of the concierge. If the old woman tells you nothing interesting, you must go to Madame Dammauville, and make some reason for seeing her. Make her talk, and you will notice if her ideas are consecutive, and examine her face and eyes. Above all, neglect nothing that appears to you characteristic. Having taken care of your mother, you know almost as well as a doctor the symptoms of myelitis, and you could see instantly if Madame Dammauville has them."
"If I dared!" she said timidly, after a short hesitation.
"What?"
"I would ask you to come with me to the concierge immediately."
"You think of such a thing!" he exclaimed.
Since the evening when he had testified to the death of Caffie, he had not returned to the Rue Sainte-Anne; and it was not when the description given by Madame Dammauville was, doubtless, already spread in the quarter, that he was going to commit the imprudence of showing himself. But he must explain this exclamation.
"How can you expect a doctor to give himself up to such an investigation? On your part it is quite natural; on mine it would be unheard of and ridiculous; add that it would be dangerous. You must conciliate Madame Dammauville, and this would be truly a stupidity that would give her a pretext for thinking that you are trying to find out whether she is, or is not, in her right mind."
"That is true," she said. "I had not thought of that. I said to myself that, while I could only listen to what the concierge would tell me, you would know how to question her in a way that would lead her to say what you want to learn."
"I hope that your investigation will tell me. In any case, let us offend in nothing. If to-morrow you bring me only insignificant details, we will consider what to do. In the mean time, return to the concierge this evening and question her. If it is possible, see Madame Dammauville, and do not go home until after having obtained some news on this subject that is of such importance to us. And I will go to see Nougarde."
Un roman habilement construit, où Hector Malot dénonce sans concession les intrigues du prince Louis-Napoléon, et nous brosse un portrait riche en couleurs de la société et des caractères du début du Second EmpireLe capitaine Guillaume de Saint-Nérée, officier rigoureux, honnête et loyal au régime républicain, se trouve à Paris au moment du coup d'Etat du 2 décembre 1851 ; il assiste impuissant et révolté au déroulement du complot et en décrit avec précision les mécanismes.De retour en garnison à Marseille, il est chargé de pacifier le pays varois, où se sont insurgés les partisans de la République. Il se retrouve écartelé entre son sens de l'honneur et l'amour qu'il porte à Clotilde, jeune Provençale, charmante, irrésistible et pleine de finesse, fille d'un vieux général de Napoléon Ier.Découvrez les oeuvres d'Hector Malot, publiées par Encrage Edition. Des romans réalistes et sociaux pour plonger au coeur du 19e siècleEXTRAITQuand on a passé six années en Algérie à courir après les Arabes, les Kabyles et les Marocains, on éprouve une véritable béatitude à se retrouver au milieu du monde civilisé.C'est ce qui m'est arrivé en débarquant à Marseille. Parti de France en juin 1845, je revenais en juillet 1851. Il y avait donc six années que j'étais absent ; et ces années-là, prises de vingt-trois à vingt-neuf ans, peuvent, il me semble, compter double. Je ne mets pas en doute la légende des anachorètes, mais je me figure que ces sages avaient dépassé la trentaine, quand ils allaient chercher la solitude dans les déserts de la Thébaïde. S'il est un âge où l'on éprouve le besoin de s'ensevelir dans la continuelle admiration des œuvres divines, il en est un aussi où l'on préfère les distractions du monde aux pratiques de la pénitence. Je suis précisément dans celui-là.A PROPOS DE L'AUTEURHector Malot, né à la Bouille (près de Rouen), le 20 mai 1830, mort à Fontenay-sous-Bois, le 17 juillet 1907, devint, après des études de droit et des emplois de clerc de notaire puis de journaliste, l'auteur d'environ soixante-dix romans de veine réaliste, dans lesquels il offre un panorama fidèle de tous les milieux de la société de son siècle.
HAUPOIS-DAGUILLON (Ch. P.), ** orfèvre fournisseur des cours d'Angleterre, d'Espagne, de Belgique, de Grèce, rue Royale, maisons à Londres Regent street, et à Madrid, calle de la Montera. - (0) 1802-6-19-23-27-31-44-40. - (P.M.) Londres, 1851. - (A) New-York, 1853. - Hors concours, Londres 1862 et Paris 1867.
Loraine was a dutiful wife to Marco since they got married three years ago. However, he treated her like trash. Nothing she did softened his heart. One day, Loraine got fed up with it all. She asked him for a divorce and left him to enjoy with his mistress. The elites looked at her like she was deranged. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you so willing to divorce him?" "It's because I need to return home to get a billion-dollar fortune. Besides, I don't love him anymore," Loraine replied with a smile. They all laughed at her. Some believed that the divorce affected her mentally. It wasn't until the next day that they realized she wasn't fibbing. A woman was suddenly declared the world's youngest female billionaire. It turned out to be Loraine! Marco was shocked to the bone. When he met his ex-wife again, she was a changed person. A group of handsome young men surrounded her. She was smiling at them all. The sight made Marco's heart ache severely. Putting his pride aside, he tried to win her back. "Hello, love. I see that you are a billionaire now. You shouldn't be with suckers who just want your money. How about you come back to me? I'm a billionaire too. Together, we can build a strong empire. What do you say?" Loraine squinted at her ex-husband with her lips curled in disgust.
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
He hates her so much but she feels so safe with him... Orla Sullivan is the seventh and last daughter of Arnold Sullivan. She is a young girl who is loathed and rejected by every member of her family. Though a Sullivan, Orla lived a solitary life until she met Callan Barlowe at an uninvited dinner in her home. Callan Barlowe is a ruthless billionaire, a man whose aura exudes dominance and agitation. He believes in working hard to make money and when he needs to relax; sleeping with high-class hoes is not an option, but a must-do for him. Marriage is not included in the list of things he has to do in life, but his mother wants him to get married at all costs. Callan's and Orla's worlds collided and now, Orla's life is about to completely veer around from worse to something more inimical because she's about to get married to Callan Barlowe; the ruthless billionaire boss who doesn't give a shit about anyone.
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Danielle disclosed her multiple secret identities. "I'm already the wealthiest woman. Why not marry me? I can make you the most respected man." After reclaiming her true identity as the rightful heiress and returning home, Danielle discovered she was unwelcome by her parents, despised by her sister, and loathed by her brother. Left with no other options, Danielle had to resume her previous roles, earning a living while keeping her other identities concealed. To her surprise, Shawn learned of her secrets and proposed, "Marry me, and I'll make you the most respected woman in this city."
“She didn't transform! Everyone was transforming, except her!” “She's a Stealer, and she doesn't have a wolf!” My destiny took a dark turn on the night of the awakening. I was an adopted daughter and have always been maltreated by my parents and elder sister, Maya. All I wanted was to turn 18 and live an independent life with my dear soon-to-be mate, Arthur, far from the clutches of my family. However, on my 18th birthday, I discovered my despicable nature as a 'Stealer,' a scent luring widowed and lone werewolves to mate with me. What's more, there was no wolf appeared in me. Knowing this, Arthur swiftly renounced our bond, selling me to the formidable Alpha Wolfe in exchange for something valuable. But when Wolfe first met me in the dungeon and perceived my scent, he could feel his wolf panicking and howling. It was the scent of his fated mate! But why did Maya also have the same scent? Sisters may share the same scent, but we were just adoptive sisters. Something was amiss. Despite the potential bond, Alpha Wolfe had ulterior motives, refusing to acknowledge me as his mate, regardless of our shared destiny."