Yet, how could that be,
since Carmen Dolores was still his wife if she was alive; and also they
both were Catholics, and Catholics did not recognize divorce!
Truth is, Virginie Poucette's mind did not define her feelings at all
clearly, or express exactly what she wanted. Her actions said one thing
certainly; but if the question had been put to her, whether she was doing
this thing because of a wish to take the place of Carmen Dolores in Jean
Jacques' life she would have said no at once. She had not come to that
--yet. She was simply moved by a sentiment of pity for Jean Jacques, and
as she had no child, or husband, or sister, or brother, or father, or
mother, but only relatives who tried to impose upon her, she needed an
objective for the emotions of her nature, for the overflow of her unused
affection and her unsatisfied maternal spirit. Here, then, was the most
obvious opportunity--a man in trouble who had not deserved the bitter bad
luck which had come to him. Even old Mere Langlois in the market-place
at Vilray had admitted that, and had said the same later on in Virginie's
home.
For an instant Jean Jacques was fascinated by the sudden prospect which
opened out before him.
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