I have many things to do. The district-attorney knows who I am; he knows whither I am going; he can have me arrested when he likes."
He directed his steps towards the door.
Not a voice was raised, not an arm extended to hinder him.
All stood aside.
At that moment there was about him that divine something which causes multitudes to stand aside and make way for a man.
He traversed the crowd slowly. It was never known who opened the door, but it is certain that he found the door open when he reached it.
On arriving there he turned round and said:--
"I am at your command, Mr. District-Attorney."
Then he addressed the audience:--
"All of you, all who are present--consider me worthy of pity, do you not?
Good God!
When I think of what I was on the point of doing, I consider that I am to be envied.
Nevertheless, I should have preferred not to have had this occur."
He withdrew, and the door closed behind him as it had opened, for those who do certain sovereign things are always sure of being served by some one in the crowd.
Less than an hour after this, the verdict of the jury freed the said Champmathieu from all accusations; and Champmathieu, being at once released, went off in a state of stupefaction, thinking that all men were fools, and comprehending nothing of this vision.
BOOK EIGHTH.--A COUNTER-BLOW
CHAPTER I
IN WHAT MIRROR M. MADELEINE CONTEMPLATES HIS HAIR