Page:Novels of Honoré de Balzac Volume 23.djvu/374

344 complaint made by the victim, or publicity given to the robbery; but your husband has committed horrible crimes, madame, that come under the jurisdiction of a far stricter tribunal than I am. In the present state of affairs, you must be made a prisoner—Oh! at my house, and on parole,” he said, seeing Zélie about to relapse into a fainting fit “You must remember that my strict duty would be to order a commitment and to commence proceedings; but I am now acting as Mademoiselle Ursule Mirouët’s guardian and of course her interests demand some compromise.”

“Ah!” said Zélie.

“Write these words to your husband:”

And he dictated the following letter to Zélie, whom he placed at his desk:

“In this way you will spare him the denials that would be his ruin,” said the magistrate, smiling at the orthography, “we shall have the restitution managed decently. My wife will make your stay at my house as little unpleasant as possible, and I advise you not to say a word about it and not to appear at all agitated.”