Chamberss Edinburgh Journal, No. 450 | Page 8

in her hands.
'Forgive me, mother; I was wrong,' murmured Lucille; 'but I scarcely
know what I say sometimes. Mademoiselle,' she continued earnestly, 'I
am not ungrateful; but if you knew how all my heart was bound to
home, and how miserable I am here, you would pity and forgive me, if
I am often angry and impatient.'
'You were never miserable till he came,' retorted the mother; 'and now
that he is going, you will be so no more. It will be a happy day for both
of us when he leaves Paris.' At this moment heavy steps were heard
ascending the stairs; then voices raised as if in anger. Lucille started up;
in an instant her pale cheek was suffused with the deepest crimson, her
eye flashed, and her whole frame trembled violently. Her mother
grasped her by the hand, but she freed herself with a sudden effort, and
darting past Madame d'Héranville and the hairdresser, who had entered
some time before, she ran out upon the landing. Adelaide followed, and

at once perceived the cause of her emotion. André was rapidly
ascending the stairs, his countenance pale, and his whole demeanour
indicating the agitation of his feelings. He was closely followed by the
police-officer, whose voice, as he once more grasped his prisoner,
appalled the terrified Lucille. 'You have given us a sharp run,' he
exclaimed, 'and once I thought you had got off. You should not have
left your hiding-place till dark, young gentleman.' And, heedless of the
frantic and agonised gestures of the unhappy youth, he drew him
angrily away.
Lucille sprang forward, and taking André's hand in hers, she looked
long and earnestly in his face. He read in her eyes the question she did
not dare to ask, and replied, as a crimson blush mounted to his forehead:
'I am accused of robbery, Lucille, and many circumstances are against
me. I may perhaps be condemned. I came here to tell you of my
innocence, and to return you this;' and he placed a gold piece in her
hand. It was the money she had given him for his journey--the fruit of
the last sacrifice she had made. She scarcely seemed to understand his
words, and still looked up inquiringly. 'Lucille,' he continued, 'they are
taking me to prison; I cannot go home as I promised; but you will not
think me guilty. How could I do what I knew would break your heart?'
She smiled tenderly and trustfully upon him; then letting fall his hand,
she pushed him gently away, and whispered: 'Go with him, André.
Justice will be done. I am no longer afraid.' Madame d'Héranville and
Adelaide at this moment approached, and eagerly related what they had
seen, both expressing their conviction of the young man's innocence.
'It is not to me you must speak, ladies,' returned the gendarme,
wonderfully softened by their words. 'If you will be so good as to give
me your names, and come to-morrow to our office, I have no doubt that
your evidence will greatly influence the magistrate in favour of the
prisoner.' The ladies gave their names, and promised to attend the court
the following morning; and shortly afterwards, they left the house,
having by their kind promises reassured the weeping girl, and
succeeded in softening her mother's anger towards her. The next day
they proceeded early to the court. As Adelaide entered, she looked

round for Lucille, and perceived her standing near the dock, her earnest
eyes fixed upon the prisoner, and encouraging him from time to time
with a look of recognition and a smile. But notwithstanding all her
efforts, the smile was a sad one; for her heart was heavy, and the
appearance of the magistrate was not calculated to strengthen her hope.
André had declared his innocence--his complete ignorance of the
contents of the pocket-book his friend had placed in his hand; but his
very intimacy with such men operated strongly against him. Both
Giraud and his companion were well known to the police as men of bad
character, and very disreputable associates. The prisoner's declaration,
therefore, had but little effect upon those to whom it was addressed;
and the magistrate shook his head doubtfully as he listened. Madame
d'Héranville and Adelaide then related what they had seen--describing
the young man's listless look as he received the book, and endeavouring
to prove, that had André been aware of its contents, his companion
need scarcely have made the excuse he did for leaving it with him. At
this moment, a slight movement was observed among the crowd, and
two men were brought forward, and placed beside André. At their
appearance, a scream escaped from Lucille; and, turning to her mother,
she pointed them out, while the name of Jules Giraud burst from her