Page 140 sur 483

She paused, weeping, and then continued, "I thought with horror,

my sweet lady, that you should believe your Justine, whom your

blessed aunt had so highly honoured, and whom you loved, was a

creature capable of a crime which none but the devil himself

could have perpetrated. Dear William! dearest blessed child! I

soon shall see you again in heaven, where we shall all be happy;

and that consoles me, going as I am to suffer ignominy and

death."

"Oh, Justine! Forgive me for having for one moment distrusted

you. Why did you confess? But do not mourn, dear girl. Do not

fear. I will proclaim, I will prove your innocence. I will melt

the stony hearts of your enemies by my tears and prayers. You

shall not die! You, my playfellow, my companion, my sister,

perish on the scaffold! No! No! I never could survive so horrible

a misfortune."