this strapping wench's not disinterested resistance； went to the
length of saying：
〃My wife has not long to live； and if you like you may be a Baroness。〃
Adeline gave a cry； dropped her candlestick； and fled。
Three days later the Baroness； who had received the last sacraments；
was dying； surrounded by her weeping family。
Just before she died； she took her husband's hand and pressed it；
murmuring in his ear：
〃My dear； I had nothing left to give up to you but my life。 In a
minute or two you will be free； and can make another Baronne Hulot。〃
And； rare sight； tears oozed from her dead eyes。
This desperateness of vice had vanquished the patience of the angel；
who； on the brink of eternity； gave utterance to the only reproach she
had ever spoken in her life。
The Baron left Paris three days after his wife's funeral。 Eleven
months after Victorin heard indirectly of his father's marriage to
Mademoiselle Agathe Piquetard； solemnized at Isigny； on the 1st
February 1846。
〃Parents may hinder their children's marriage； but children cannot
interfere with the insane acts of their parents in their second
childhood；〃 said Maitre Hulot to Maitre Popinot； the second son of the
Minister of Commerce； who was discussing this marriage。
End