"'Nothing, I admit. Only, you would not be placed in such an extremity. You lost yesterday, and it is I who have to meet your wishes.'
"'True, I forgot it. Then I substitute a bet for the cards.'
"'What?'
"'That I will reach the rock near which I see Madame de Guéran before you do.'
"'Done,' said Delange, 'it will warm me.'
"He started off in the required direction in such earnest as to convince me that, however seriously his hands and face were damaged, his legs were intact. I left off running, for I did not want to come upon Madame de Guéran like an avalanche, though I was very anxious that she should see, as quickly as possible, that I was safe and sound. Delange thus became my unconscious messenger, and his run cost me a thousand francs.
"When I reached Madame de Guéran, in due course, I held out my hands, which she grasped warmly, and as I looked at her I saw that she was pale and agitated.
"'We escaped rather well!' said she, smiling.
"'I thought you were dead,' was my reply.
"'And what would you have done?' said she, turning towards me with that frank look which you one evening noticed.