The National tribune., 1882-04-22

vice and urge You to keep aloof from Madame
Desplans's affairs on undertaking your new
duties. Touching as it is to see you cham
pion the suspected pr-lady-so warmly in
a private capacity, it might greatly damage
your public career if you began by OCCASION
ing miscarriage of justice"
"But it would not be miscarriage of
iustice!" exclaimed Vitali with animation.
"Do you think ! would defend Madame
Desplans if l deemed her guilty? 1t Is be-
cause would answer for her innocence with
my head on the block that 1 long to set her
free and restore her fair fame as public
official speaking for my country"
THAT is al very good responded the
prefect, " but the world would not believe in
SO much impartiality."
But they must be brought to believe it"
"My dear VI. Vital, when we cannot go
against the stream one had better swiEa with
it.D
"What, when that stream is bearing an
innocent creature to infamy and death?"
Come, come, you must really allow me
to guide you" said the prelect with the GOOD
At-IuOISi duIuOIlty vi III tA htftCo-
man. Recollcct you are my prOtege: look
to your running a very brilliant race, and
we must not let you mar it at the start. so
if you positively canuot refrain frOra being
romantic and generous, I will have your ap-
p0intment deferred till the trial is over"
"Ah, it would be no use to me them"
cried Vitali in despair. st was for Ter l
was going to accept, not for me-"
He returned home in very low spirits.
The projects manifest conviction Of Clotilde's
guilt depressed him more than anything he
had yet heard from other persons and for
! the first time ne began TO contemplate the
| possibility Of not being able to carry YER
diet against public prejudice. Hitherto he
had been buoyed up by the confidence that
on going into court he would straightway
! break down the flimsy structure Of the prose
cution like house of cards; but what if his
el0quence failed what if the Jury We're
stubborn and closed their eyes to the light Of
truth that he would thrust before their f2ces?
1t Glanced that for the past few days there
! had been luli in the newspaper comments
! on the Desp}ans ease. Everything that could
| be said about the preliminarics Of the affair
had been said and mis-saiG, aud the public
were now taking a rest from conjecture in
expectation of the impending final act OF the
drama. Gloomy presentimentS and visions
began to pass through Vitali's brain. He
saw deDsely packed court full of cruel faces,
a bench of obstinate judges, a ruthless SEN
~
by the sobs of All innocent prisoner; then a
public square with machine rearing aloft
two huge red posts and a knife; a fainting
form dragged up the scaffold steps, and the
roar ofa surging multitude. 1t was evening,
and he shiyered. The noise of carts passing
in the street under his windows suggested
tumbrils, and the occasional voices Of work
men and boys, singing, that heartless indif-
ference of crowds who go their ways not
caring for blood that has beeh shed, even
though it cry to them from the stones.
A knock at his door reused Vital from
his reverie, and his servant came in with a
letter. 1t bore the stamp of the palace Of
Justice. Vitali's fingers trembled as he tore
it open, and he scanned its contents, then
staggered, raising his hand to his brow and
uttering an awful moan as he read this!
"MY DEAR SIR:
1.-The preliminary examination of Clotilde
Desplans is at an end, and you will be free
to visit her to confer about her defence every
day, dating from tomorrow. l feel some
satisfaction in informing you that the prisoner
has at length made confession of her guilt.
Pray accept the assurances of MY regard,
"THoMAs RAGoT,
',JUge q Instructions"
ITO be continued.