'
"Thus Victorine strove with Couthon, and he at last yielded. Dupin
and his father were released that night, and before daybreak they
were all out of Paris and safe. In the morning Legouve found that
they were liberated, and on asking Couthon the reason, was answered
with a smile that they had an eloquent advocate. Victorine had
warned Couthon not to mention her name, and he kept his promise; but
Legouve conjectured but too truly. He went home, and in a furious
rage taxed Victorine with infidelity to him, in favour of the man who
had abandoned her. He would not listen to her, and thrust her from
him with curses. I say nothing more about her history. I will only
say this, that Pauline is that child who was born to her after Dupin
left her. I say it because I am so proud that Pauline has had such a
mother!"
"Pauline her daughter!" said Zachariah. "I thought she was your
daughter."
"She is my daughter: I became her father."
Everybody was silent.
"Ah, you say nothing," said Caillaud; "I am not surprised. You are
astonished. Well may you be so that such a creature should ever have
lived. What would Jesus Christ have said to her?"
The company soon afterwards rose to go.
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