"
"The man was a monster, sir! Alas! this cruel crime is not his only one.
But, happily," said Clemence, thinking of Rudolph, "he has been compelled
to make restitution; and while closing the eyes of Madame de Fermont, I
have been able to assure her that her daughter is provided for. Her death
thus had fewer pangs."
"I comprehend; knowing that her daughter was under your protection, madame,
my poor friend died more tranquilly."
"Not only is my protection forever secured to Miss de Fermont, but her
fortune will also be restored."
"Her fortune! How? The notary--"
"Has been forced to restore her money, which he had appropriated to himself
by a horrid crime!"
"A crime?"
"This man assassinated the brother of Madame de Fermont, and made her
believe that this unfortunate man had committed suicide, after having
dissipated her fortune."
"This is horrible; it can hardly be credited; and yet I have had my doubts
about this notary, for Renneville was honor itself. And this money--"
"Is deposited with a venerable priest, M. le Cure of Bonne-Nouvelle; he
will hand it to Miss de Fermont."
"This restitution is not sufficient for human justice, madame! The scaffold
claims this notary, for he has not only committed one murder, but two. The
death of Madame de Fermont, the sufferings which her daughter has endured
on this hospital bed, have been caused by the infamous abuse of confidence
of this wretch!"
"And this wretch has committed another murder, quite as frightful!"
"What do you say, madame?"
"If he made away with the brother of Madame de Fermont by a pretended
suicide, only a few days since he cruelly murdered a young girl, in whose
destruction he was interested, by causing her to be drowned, certain that
this would be attributed to accident.
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