A wretched man, being at the end of his resources, had coined counterfeit money, out of love for a woman, and for the child which he had had by her.

Counterfeiting was still punishable with death at that epoch.

The woman had been arrested in the act of passing the first false piece made by the man.

She was held, but there were no proofs except against her.

She alone could accuse her lover, and destroy him by her confession.