him to speak out loud."

This reply, so embarrassing for M.  Baleinier, uttered in a tone of
, and with an air of icy coldness, plunged the doctor into such
new and deep , that he remained for some moments without
answering.  No doubt the magistrate was struck with this incident, and
with the silence which followed it, for he cast a look of great severity
on the doctor.  Mdlle. de Cardoville, who had expected to have seen M. de
Montbron, was also singularly surprised.




CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE ACCUSER.

Baleinier, disconcerted for a moment by the unexpected presence of a
magistrate, and by Rodin's inexplicable attitude, soon recovered his
presence of mind, and addressing his colleague of the longer robe, said
to him: "If I make signs to you, sir, it was that, while I wished to
 the silence which this gentleman"--glancing at the magistrate--
"has preserved since his entrance, I desired to express my  at
the unexpected honor of this visit."

"It is to the lady that I will explain the reason for my silence, and beg
her to excuse it," replied the magistrate, as he made a half-bow to
Adrienne, whom he thus continued to address: "I have just