CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Peace

Later two lawyers came. They were Julien's defense.

"It was murder," Julien said. "I'm very sorry about it, but you have little work to do."

I must be braver than these men, Julien thought. They fear death, but I will not think about it until the day it comes.

One lawyer believed, like most of Besançon, that jealousy was Julien's reason. He said this could be a good defense.

"If you value your life," Julien said angrily, "you will never say that lie again."

The names of the jury members were soon chosen. Vicar-general de Frilair was happy to see that the list had five members of the Congregation, and three of his friends from Verrières: Mr Valenod, Mr de Moirod, and Mr de Cholin. "I can control these eight people," the priest said.

The newspaper printed the names, and Mrs de Rênal left Verrières for Besançon. Mr de Rênal allowed her, as long as she never left her room. "I am now a liberal, and if you do anything it will cause me trouble," he said.

When she arrived in Besançon she wrote a letter to every person on the jury, asking that they let Julien go free.

(end of section)