"'Mr. Valentine is a very respectable young man,' said Julie, whose jealous ire was quelled by this last assertion of the clerk's. 'It is impossible he can be guilty. What motive could he have?'
"'That remains to be discovered,' returned Bontems. 'My opinion is that he has been an agent for somebody else.'
"'Bah!' cried Julie indignantly. 'Valentine act the part of a hired assassin! It would be easier to believe he did it on his own account than that. But what does he say himself?'
"'Ah! that will come out on the trial,' answered the cautious Bontems.
"'I must know before that,' thought she; and equipping herself in her bonnet and shawl, she started for the prison.
"'I don't know whether I ought to admit you, ma belle dame,' said the gaoler; 'but as no orders are yet given to the contrary, entrez!' and he conducted her to Valentine's cell. There, with his elbows resting on his knees and his head on his hands, she found the unhappy young man.
"'Julie!' cried he, starting, as he raised his head and saw who it was; "comment c'est vous, ici?'
"'Sans doute,' said she, calmly seating her-
