"
"Oh! sir."
"Why, did you not tell me just now that Polyte had some very undesirable
acquaintances? But don't be alarmed; this does not compromise him in the
least. Besides, you can very easily clear him of all suspicion."
"How? In what way? Oh, tell me at once."
"Merely by answering me frankly, and by assisting me to find the guilty
party. Now, among your husband's friends, don't you know any who might
be capable of such a deed? Give me the names of his acquaintances."
The poor woman's hesitation was evident; undoubtedly she had been
present at many sinister cabals, and had been threatened with terrible
punishment if she dared to disclose the plans formed by Polyte or his
associates.
"You have nothing to fear," said Lecoq, encouragingly, "and I promise
you no one shall ever know that you have told me a word. Very probably
you can tell me nothing more than I know already. I have heard a great
deal about your former life, and the brutality with which Polyte and his
mother have treated you."
"My husband has never treated me brutally," said the young woman,
indignantly; "besides, that matter would only concern myself."
"And your mother-in-law?"
"She is, perhaps, a trifle quick-tempered; but in reality she has a good
heart."
"Then, if you were so happy at the Widow Chupin's house, why did you fly
from it?"
Toinon the Virtuous turned scarlet to the very roots of her hair. "I
left for other reasons," she replied. "There were always a great many
drunken men about the house; and, sometimes, when I was alone, some of
them tried to carry their pleasantry too far.
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