THE CASE OF GABRIELLE BOMPARD.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 18, 29 July 1893, Page 3

THE CASE OF GABRIELLE BOMPARD.

The theory that Gabriel Bompard was not a free agent, hnt was completely hypnotised and fascinated by Eyxaud, who, as was maintained by those who held this view, was alone responsible’ for the murder of the huissier Gouffe, is being revived (the London Daily Telegraph’s Paris correspondent says) by a lady who knew Gabrielle well at Lille, and has just paid her a visit at the Clermont Prison. . Her friend relates that in the long conversation that she had with Bompard she declared that she had been quite a different woman from the moment when she heard of Eyraud’s execution. She never cared for the man ; on the contrary, she hated and dreaded him, but his will was stronger than her own, and she could refuse him nothing. Her obedience was explicit, in spite of her disgust. As soon, however, as she learned that Eyraud had been guillotined she felt a kind of moral relief which she could not describe. She knew that she was once more free — at least, so fax* as he was concerned. Often, while reflecting on the crime, she could not understand by what process of mental, or leather of moral, aberration she could have been induced to have a share in it. As for her plans, added Gabrielle Bompard, she intended, when she left the prison, to lead a quiet and regular life, and to endeavour to make some amends for the past. Hex' friend, who expresses anxiety as to her state of health, says that numbers of letters some of the most extraordinary character—-are daily addressed to her at the pi'ison from evei’y corner* of Europe, and even from America. Offers of maridage pour in, and the lady in question asserts that a letter was lately received suggesting that in the event of her being pardoned, she should exhibit herself in public, the showman undertaking to defray all her expenses and pay her £6O a Week I