Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/327

 strong uncouth fellow at last laid hold of her arms, violently forcing her away from Desgrais; stumbling awkwardly, and let the poor girl fall, who, without uttering another word, was precipitated down the stone steps of the staircase, till she lay as if dead on the street. De Scuderi could no longer remain silent. "In God's name," cried she, "what is the matter?—what is the cause of all this?" With her own hands she hastily opened the carriage-door, threw down the steps and alighted. Accordingly the people, with great respect, made room for the venerable lady, who, perceiving that some kind hearted bourgeoises had lifted up the unhappy girl and were rubbing her temples with eau de Cologne, turned to Desgrais, and with passionate eagerness, repeated her questions.—"Madame," answered the officer, "we have this morning discovered the most horrible crime which has been committed for many weeks. That worthy citizen, Rene Cardillac, has been found murdered, having been stabbed to the heart with a dagger; we have proved that his journeyman, Olivier Brusson, is the murderer, and he has just now been led away to prison."

"But the young beautiful girl?" said de Scuderi, in a tone of anxious inquiry. "The girl," answered Desgrais, "is Madelon, the daughter of Cardillac, and the murderer was her accepted lover. Now, she has been weeping and howling for an hour past, that Olivier is innocent; quite innocent. Doubtless, however, she is an accomplice in this deed, and perhaps in many others; but we shall have her immediately carried to the Conciergerie." In speaking these words Desgrais cast such an ironical and malicious glance on the poor Madelon, that de Scuderi involuntarily trembled at his aspect. Just then his unfortunate victim began to breathe perceptibly; but she lay with her eyes closed, and incapable of speech or motion; so that the people were perplexed, and knew not whether to carry her into the house, or keep her where she lay, until, by farther assistance, she was restored to her senses. Much agitated, and with her eyes swimming in