"'No, no!' cried the woman. 'She must not know the truth! What have I done that this misfortune should fall upon me?'
"'I feel deeply for you. If I knew how I could inspire you with confidence in me I should be glad. Look at me and say whether you cannot trust implicitly in me.'
"They gazed at each other in silence for many moments. The policemen, standing apart, did not interrupt them, and as they spoke in French, could not have understood if they had heard what was passing. The woman put out her hand timidly.
"'I will trust you,' she said. 'It may be that the good Lord has sent me a friend when I most needed one. By the memory of all that is dearest to you, do not betray me!'
"The pressure of her hand seemed to instil faith in her. All the earnestness of her soul was expressed in the words she now spoke.
"'I give into your charge what is infinitely more precious than life--my honor, and my dear daughter's happiness. May Heaven so deal by you as you deal by me!'
"At this juncture the first policeman thought he had allowed sufficient time for a decision.
"'Then we had better go to the station,' said our reporter, 'if you persist in your ridiculous charge.'
"'There is nothing else for me to do, sir,' said the policeman.
"'You have no objection to my walking by the side of this lady, keeping yourself out of hearing. I wish to receive instructions from her.'
"'Give me your word, sir, that there will be no attempt at escape.'
"'It's all right,' said the second policeman, 'you may take the gentleman's word for a good deal more than that. You won't want me.'
"He left them, and our reporter and the woman, preceded by the policeman, who occasionally looked over his shoulder to see that they were following him, walked to the Bow Street Police Station."
"'We have but little time for uninterrupted conversation,' said our reporter, still speaking in French, 'and must make the best of it. At the station we shall not be private, as we are now. An explanation is due from me first. I am, as you have heard, a properly qualified solicitor, and can therefore defend you legally, although at present I see little to defend. But the fact that I am your authorized legal adviser should strengthen your confidence in me, for whatever information of a secret nature I receive from you I am bound professionally to respect. You see, therefore, that your interests are safe in my hands.'